March of the Fangs: Rattlesnakes Are Waking Up, and They’re Not Waking Up Alone

March in Phoenix is a strange time. The sun creeps a little higher, the evenings don’t quite bite anymore, and your dog is still willing to step outside without giving you the side eye. But beneath the gravel, tucked into that neglected squirrel hole behind the pool equipment, something else is stirring and it’s not a garden hose.

Welcome to rattlesnake season in Arizona.

One Snake Now Might Mean Ten Tomorrow

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes don’t just pop up randomly like bad Tinder matches. In the early spring months (March and April), they’re still close to where they’ve spent the winter — usually inside rodent burrows, under concrete slabs, or in the dark corners of your garage you haven’t looked at since you put the Christmas lights away.

If you spot a rattlesnake in March, especially in cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Chandler, Mesa, or Peoria, it’s time to do more than panic and grab a shovel. It’s time to ask: is this a lone traveler, or the first scout from a hidden den I didn’t even know was here?

That’s where a proper rattlesnake inspection, not just a removal, comes in. Every snake we find in early spring is a potential tip of the iceberg. A quick response now can prevent a full-blown den of venomous land mines from taking residence in your backyard.

Rattlesnakes in March: Daytime Drama

These early season rattlers are diurnal — that means they’re active in the daylight hours, especially in the late morning and early afternoon when the sun’s just right for warming cold blood and bad intentions. That afternoon backyard stroll with the dog? That’s prime rattlesnake encounter time.

Keep your pets leashed, keep your kids supervised, and keep your eyes scanning that sun-warmed patch of patio before you let Ol’ Yeller go dig another hole in the backyard.

Phoenix: Where Rattlesnakes Are Neighbors

It’s worth repeating: Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. and yet it’s crawling with more rattlesnakes than almost anywhere in the country. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake isn’t just common here, it's practically an HOA member.

But here’s the good news: despite thousands of snake removals every year, and dense urban growth pushing us into snake habitat, rattlesnake bites are rare. Fatalities are rarer still. These snakes aren’t out to get you. They’re not chasing you. But make no mistake, they will defend themselves with absolute authority if cornered, stepped on, or messed with.

And when they do, it’s fast. It’s messy. Banner Health emergency room is expensive.

Don’t Be a Statistic. Call a Professional.

Let me be crystal clear: the vast majority of snakebite victims in Maricopa County were either trying to kill the snake or catch it. Don’t be the next Instagram cowboy with a handful of venom. Call Arizona Snake Removal instead.

At Arizona Snake Removal, we’ve relocated snakes from every corner of the Valley and every corner of the planet. From taipans and death adders in Australia to cobras and mambas in Africa, we’ve seen it all. And the Western Diamondback? It still ranks as one of the most dangerous and defensive snakes we work with.

We’ll show up fast. We’ll relocate the snake humanely. We’ll inspect your property for others, help you understand how and why they’re there, and lay out a prevention plan that actually works. No gimmicks. No upsells. Just real conservation, real safety, and real peace of mind.

If You Live in Rattlesnake Country, Act Like It

Whether you’re in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or anywhere across Maricopa County, it’s time to be aware. It’s time to look down. It’s time to put the damn shovel away and pick up the phone.

Rattlesnakes are part of the desert. They belong here. But they don’t belong in your pool equipment box.

Arizona Snake Removal

Fast, humane, affordable.