Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me About the Snakes?

A member of WRAL.com’s online community Golo, wrote a blog yesterday  about finding a Copperhead snake in his garage, and I must admit that it freaked me out.

But what freaked me out more was some of the advice he was given on how to get rid of the snake, most of which was to get yet another snake to run it away.
I am deathly afraid of snakes, and if the solution to get rid of one is to actively seek out another, I’m in big trouble.

Now, I’ve lived here in NC since February and I think I’m doing a fine job of adjusting to my new environment. I managed to make it through the pollen, I passed the driver’s test which is required here even though you hold a driver’s license from another state, and I’m adjusting to riding my bike up and down all of the hills.

But snakes?? That’s a different issue, and if I see one, I am going to pass out.

So instead of asking how to get rid of one, I’m asking how to get AWAY from one. If I happen to see a snake in my garage, what do I do? Get back in the car and drive off?
Go check into a hotel? Ignore it? Run like the wind?

Please note that “wrestling” it is not an option.

Any advice?