Rattlesnakes have had a busy year. Same for the people who catch them for a living
LOS ANGELES - Bo Slyapich seeks what no one else wants to find.
On a recent morning, he waded into grass so high and so dense his legs disappeared from view. He crouched low and then lay on his stomach as he scoured the backyard of a house above Pacific Coast Highway.
The homeowner looked on from a safe distance. Luna, the family dog, barked as Slyapich invaded her territory, but kept back as well.
Slyapich was trying to flush out rattlesnakes from under a rock, inside a dirt hole or behind a leafy plant. For 30 minutes he hunted his prey - climbing and crawling, prodding and poking with sticks and tongs - plotting a course with the confidence and caution that come from decades of experience.
Southern California is home to at least half a dozen snake removal services that extricate the animals from their hideouts and take them away, allowing families to safely spend time in their yards. When Slyapich and other experts complete their mission, they often leave awe in their wake.
