In the southeastern United States, snakes are a part of our everyday lives, especially in the summer months. Snakes serve as both predator and prey, helping control rodents and pests while also posing a risk for dangerous encounters.
Youngsville resident Renee Chisholm thought she knew how to avoid a snake encounter until a routine trip to take out the trash changed everything. Even though she checked each trash can, there was a snake hidden underneath the last can she grabbed.
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“I was wearing flip flops, and I did what I do every time, I looked around the trash cans, everything was good. When I went to the third can, I went to tilt it a bit and there was a snake underneath it, and it bit me twice on my left toe,” Chisholm said.
Six venomous snakes live in North Carolina: Copperhead, cottonmouth (also called a water moccasin), timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, and the eastern coral snake.
People are most likely to encounter the Eastern Copperhead around the Triangle. There were over 600 reported venomous snake bites in NC in 2025, according to North Carolina Poison Control. They said that approximately one-fifth of all copperhead bites occur in North Carolina.
While copperhead bites are rarely fatal, they are extremely painful and expensive to treat.
“I knew when it bit me what it was, but the snake actually biting was not as painful as a bee sting would have been,” Chisholm said. Less than five minutes later, she was in excruciating pain.
She called 911 immediately and was quickly transported to Franklin Regional Medical Center, where she received eight vials of antivenom, which was all the medicine the hospital had. They took her to Duke, where she received an additional 20 vials of antivenom.
Chisholm was told that each vial costs approximately $15,000. “I’m looking at a bill somewhere around maybe $800,000 or $900,000 for a snake bite,” said Chisholm. “I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that our insurance is going to pay for everything. It could really devastate a person financially.”
Antivenom is the number one snakebite treatment in the U.S. According to a study from the National Institute of Health, the average cost to treat a snake bite was $31,343. UNC Health told WRAL in 2025 that the average cost of the initial dose of four to six vials of antivenom can cost between $47,000 and $77,000.
Insurance companies usually cover a significant portion of the cost, but if you’re uninsured or haven’t met your deductible, the bill could land squarely on you.
It has been 11 days since the bite and Chisholm said she still doesn’t feel normal. She still can not feel three of her toes, and takes oxycodone, a strong narcotic pain reliever at night.
Knowing what to look for can help people avoid an encounter. Copperheads are the venomous snake most commonly seen in the Triangle.
How to identify a copperhead
The copperhead snake is a pit viper and is brown, tan, pinkish, and “copper” colored. They are heavy-bodied and marked with dark brown, hourglass bands, and their bellies have white and black markings, according to Herps of NC.
They often live in wooded areas around the Triangle, but can be found in open fields. Copperheads often live in areas close to humans, such as farms and neighborhoods. They are often found nesting in abandoned structures, wood and rock piles, as well as floodplains and wetlands.
What to do if you encounter a snake
Wildlife experts say snakes are shy creatures that pose little risk to humans when they are left alone. While it may be alarming to see a snake, it is best to leave the snake alone and give it plenty of space. In most cases, the snake will move out of the area on its own.
What to do if a venomous snake bites you
Each year, around 7,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States. Only about five of those people die, according to the CDC.
What to do if a venomous snake bites you:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Do not drive yourself to the hospital; snake bites can make you dizzy, and you can pass out.
- Take a photograph of the snake, if possible, from a safe distance.
- Wash the area with soap immediately, and remove clothing near the bite.
- Cover the bite with a clean cloth.
- Mark the leading edge of swelling on the skin, keep track of the time and spread of swelling.
Things to avoid when bitten by a snake:
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Get help immediately. Many venomous snake bites require an antivenom.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not cut the wound in any way.
- Do not try to suck out or remove the venom.
- Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
- Do not drink alcohol or take any pain reliever.
How to prevent snakes around your home
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers several steps to take that will prevent conflict with snakes around your home.
1. Declutter your yard: Snakes like to burrow in areas with thick cover, such as pine straw, wood, rocks and other debris. Keep the bushes and plants around your home trimmed and clear out piles of straw and wood that could attract snakes.
2. Remove entry points: Snakes enter homes through all open areas, including gaps in siding and foundation. Eliminate entry points for snakes by sealing openings under doors, windows, siding, and water pipes.
3. Be aware of your surroundings: When you are outside, be aware of areas where snakes like to nest, and be prepared for the possibility of encountering a snake. Watch where you are walking when you are outside, which can minimize your chances of accidentally stepping on a snake.
4. Educate yourself and others: Always stay a respectful distance away from snakes and other wildlife, and remind children to look but never touch outdoor creatures. A good online resource to help identify snakes can be found at herpsofnc.org.
Chisholm said she never expected a routine trip to take out the trash would leave her facing weeks of recovery and a potentially life-changing medical bill.
While snakes are an important part of North Carolina’s ecosystem, wildlife experts say understanding where they live and how they behave can help people safely coexist with them.
As summer temperatures rise and people spend more time outdoors, they say a little awareness can go a long way.
