With spring comes warmer temperatures and more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking some of the city’s beautiful and diverse trails.  Just remember rattlesnakes, bees, coyotes and other wildlife are more active in springtime, too. Stay alert and follow these tips to stay safe while exploring city trails.

Rattlesnakes

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, most snake rattlesnake bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. And snakes aren’t just found in wildland areas – they may show up in parks, golf courses and backyards, especially those near undeveloped properties.

• Call 9-1-1 if bitten or if you need help safely removing a snake from a home, yard, park or playground. If bitten by a rattlesnake, remain calm and remove any constricting clothing or accessories such as rings or watches, and wait for emergency responders to arrive.
• To protect against rattlesnake bites at home, the City of Carlsbad suggests disposing of trash and wood piles where they might hide. Wear boots or shoes while working or playing outdoors.
• While hiking on city trails, please remember the following:
  • Keep your dog on a leash under six feet long.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times and avoid distractions from your cell phone.
  • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and do not wander off the trails especially into high grass or weeds.
  • Make sure you can always see the path ahead of you and look for snakes that might blend into the ground before picking up rocks or sticks.
  • If you encounter a rattlesnake on a trail, calmly back away and leave it alone.
  • Residents can also call the San Diego County Department of Animal Services for snake removal at 619-236-2341.

For more information and rattlesnake safety tips, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Bees

Bees often swarm in late spring when they’re reproducing and searching for new places to build hives. Though most bees are not aggressive, they’ll sting if they feel threatened. The County of San Diego recommends following these safety tips, created by the University of California Cooperative Extension, to avoid a painful encounter:

• If you see a swarm flying nearby, or clustered on the ground or the side of a tree or building, keep your distance and don’t disturb them. The bees are likely to move on soon. Notify others about the location so it can be avoided.
• If you see a swarm of bees moving toward you, seek shelter if possible. If you’re caught in a swarm, move away and cover your face and neck for protection.
• If you’re stung by one or more bees
• Stay calm and don’t flail or swat at them. Scrape the stinger out as quickly as possible and wash the area to mask the smell pheromone smell, which could attract other bees.
• Know where the nearest emergency room is in case you need it. Bee allergies are rare – only about 1 or 2 per 1,000 people are hyper-allergic – but it’s best to be prepared.
• Symptoms of a severe reaction difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, throat, or mouth, anxiety, rapid pulse, and a drop in blood pressure. Call 911 immediately.

 The City of Carlsbad does not remove bees from private property; that’s the responsibility of the property owner. If the bees are on public property, please call the Parks Department at 442-339-2824.

Find more information about honeybees on the county website and more information about Africanized honeybees on the state's website.

Coyotes

Spring is also when coyotes give birth and start to raise litters, which can make them more defensive and territorial. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests these precautions to avoid any conflicts with coyotes.

• Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes. 
• Keep your dog on a leash under six feet long. Never leave small children or pets outside unattended or let them wander far ahead of you while hiking.
• Don’t hike alone and stay on the trail; don’t wander into tall grass.
• If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If that fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around your house and trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places.
• If a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact the nearest Department of Fish and Wildlife or law enforcement office.

Learn more about how to keep coyotes out of your neighborhood on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website.
 

More information
How to avoid human-wildlife conflicts: California Department of Fish Wildlife  
Overview of city trails: Carlsbad Trails webpage
Detailed info on where to hike, parking, etc.: GoHike Carlsbad portal