By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Snakes serve a purpose in the ecosystem. Great Bend's Karson Kern grew up around snakes and knows there is usually nothing to be afraid of. That's why he has teamed up with his father, Reggie, and his girlfriend, Mya Ward, to offer a snake removal service around Barton County. The goal is to preserve the life of the snake, or other reptiles and amphibians, while saving a homeowner the stress of handling it.
"A lot of people, they don't like snakes and they don't really respect them," Karson said. "I've grown up around them. I like snakes and I like to save them if there's a chance. They don't always have to be killed. They do good - they get rid of rodents. If there's a snake, there's food."
Karson, 17, only recently made a post about the new service. He was already contacted by a property owner in Hoisington, and four garter snakes were safely removed from the property.
"I'd really just like to educate people and help them be not afraid," he said. "When I drove to Hoisington (Sunday) to help that woman, I was explaining to her what a garter snake was. It's not anything to be afraid of. It was just there because the siding was open and it was a place it could get away and hide, and there was also food around."
The Kerns keep fees small based on drive time and location of the animal that needs removing. Removed animals are taken to a safe location with tall grass and water, away from roads. Exotic pets that have escaped will not be transplanted back into the wild.
Anyone with questions or needing removal services can contact Karson at (316) 303-4088.