1. Wear Proper Clothing
Snakes tend to bite the ankles or the shins. You can avoid that by wearing thick boots made of sturdy material like leather or rubber. Long, loose-fitting pants will protect your legs, and the folds of the cloth will make it more difficult for the snake to bite your flesh. If you're worried about spiders or insects, you can wear gloves and similar clothing to cover your skin.
2. Watch Where You Step
Poisonous animals lurk in holes in the ground, near fallen logs, in tall grass, around rocky areas and other places where you can't readily see them. Take care when moving through patches of rough ground and never put your foot in a place you can't see. If you are walking at night, use a flashlight to check the ground in front of you. Walk slowly and gradually, with no sudden moves. Most poisonous animals have no wish to hurt you and will move away if they hear you coming. If you have a walking stick, you can use it to test the ground in front of you and scare off anything dangerous.
3. Don't Attack the Animal
In a number of cases, venom poisoning occurs when the victim tries to catch or kill the animal. Don't swat at spiders or snakes and refrain from striking at their nests. If you're concerned about an infestation, call a professional exterminator. Otherwise, if you leave them alone and give them a wide berth, they will usually ignore you.
4. Purchase a Snake Bite Kit and a Field Guide
Snake bite kits should contain anti-venom and similar measures to help you treat venom poisoning. You can buy them at any camping store. Try to find a kit that is up-to-date and doesn't rely on outdated measures like razor blades. In addition, look for a good field guide that can help you identify different kinds of snakes and poisonous animals by their markings. If you can spot a poisonous snake by sight, you will be better able to avoid it, and knowledge of its venom will help you treat any bites with greater assurance.
