Snakes in the yard
#1
07-29-10, 02:52 PM
Snakes in the yard
I am hoping to get some help. Can any one tell me how far snake go on there own if not being chased. I am trying to figure out just how many I have. If I am seeing the same one in different places, or I have more then one. When I am ready and looking for them, I don't see any. And when I don't have my shovel it's there. Oh if it is any help, they are just plain garden snakes. But my wife and kids want no part of it. I think even my cat is scared. She spends most of her time inside looking out.
#2
07-29-10, 04:15 PM
Member
Ed - round them all up and send them my way. A garden snake is one of the best critters you can have in your yard. IMO they are better than a cat in keeping the rodent population in check.
When you mentioned having a shovel I hope you aren't killing them. They're like honeybees. they serve a good purpose. If the wife wants them gone (I can understand that) just pick them up and transport them elsewhere. There is no need to kill them.
When you mentioned having a shovel I hope you aren't killing them. They're like honeybees. they serve a good purpose. If the wife wants them gone (I can understand that) just pick them up and transport them elsewhere. There is no need to kill them.
#3
07-29-10, 04:30 PM
Group Moderator
Do you have any idea as to the specis of snake? The black snakes in my yard seem to range quite a bit and I often seen them travel 50 yards from one hiding spot to another.
#4
07-29-10, 06:00 PM
Snakes do pretty much what they want as far as travel; no rules apply. In Pa. the fish commission regulates snakes and they are a good source of info and education. I also would urge you not to kill them; they are beneficial and harmless. Educate yourself and family about them. I know it is hard-snakes evoke a visceral reaction. We live in the Pa woods and have garter, copperhead, black snakes, and rattlers. We don't kill any. Quite honestly we feel privileged when we come across a rattler, be it in our driveway or in the woods. I shooed a copperhead off of our shared lane the other week before others saw it. We don't even tell our neighbors when we see a rattler anymore.
As long as you're sure it is non-poisonous, catch it with gloved hands, put it in a trash can with tight fitting lid and take it for a long walk/ride. Otherwise, if you harass it enough it may leave the area. If you can catch it and calmly present it to your family, they may begin changing their minds and warm up to the idea of no-kill.
As long as you're sure it is non-poisonous, catch it with gloved hands, put it in a trash can with tight fitting lid and take it for a long walk/ride. Otherwise, if you harass it enough it may leave the area. If you can catch it and calmly present it to your family, they may begin changing their minds and warm up to the idea of no-kill.
#5
07-29-10, 06:03 PM
Catch and transplant is the easiest way. Place some medium size pieces of plywood on the lawn and flip them over on a warm sunny day. Snakes love the heat and will usually find them in short order. Move the plywood around so it doesn't kill the grass.
Be sure of your identification as even Maine does have poisonous snakes even though they claim not to.
Bud
Be sure of your identification as even Maine does have poisonous snakes even though they claim not to.
Bud
#6
07-30-10, 05:13 PM
Originally Posted by PAbugman
Snakes do pretty much what they want as far as travel; no rules apply. In Pa. the fish commission regulates snakes and they are a good source of info and education. I also would urge you not to kill them; they are beneficial and harmless. Educate yourself and family about them. I know it is hard-snakes evoke a visceral reaction. We live in the Pa woods and have garter, copperhead, black snakes, and rattlers. We don't kill any. Quite honestly we feel privileged when we come across a rattler, be it in our driveway or in the woods. I shooed a copperhead off of our shared lane the other week before others saw it. We don't even tell our neighbors when we see a rattler anymore.
As long as you're sure it is non-poisonous, catch it with gloved hands, put it in a trash can with tight fitting lid and take it for a long walk/ride. Otherwise, if you harass it enough it may leave the area. If you can catch it and calmly present it to your family, they may begin changing their minds and warm up to the idea of no-kill.
As long as you're sure it is non-poisonous, catch it with gloved hands, put it in a trash can with tight fitting lid and take it for a long walk/ride. Otherwise, if you harass it enough it may leave the area. If you can catch it and calmly present it to your family, they may begin changing their minds and warm up to the idea of no-kill.
#7
07-31-10, 05:43 AM
I think PAbugman was referring to the Pavlovian response system. An animal, when deterred enough times will cease to remain in the area due to the constant replulsion. Now, WHAT repulsion method works for snakes, I don't know. Most snakes are harmless, but knowing for sure is a plus. Not sure, but the black snakes you refer to are possibly rat snakes. Totally harmless and more beneficial. They actually feast on mice and rats, keeping the population down.
#8
07-31-10, 12:22 PM
Originally Posted by chandler
I think PAbugman was referring to the Pavlovian response system. An animal, when deterred enough times will cease to remain in the area due to the constant replulsion. Now, WHAT repulsion method works for snakes, I don't know. Most snakes are harmless, but knowing for sure is a plus. Not sure, but the black snakes you refer to are possibly rat snakes. Totally harmless and more beneficial. They actually feast on mice and rats, keeping the population down.
#9
08-01-10, 04:01 PM
I see my chickens fighting over young snakes they pull from the grass. I don't recommend getting chickens if you are in an urban setting, though. My wife throws human hair from brushes, etc. at the opening of the chicken house to keep critters out. Now that works for possums and most of the other 4 legged threats. Not sure on the snakes, but I'm not trying to repel them.
#10
08-02-10, 04:40 AM
Group Moderator
One problem with trying to deter or harass them enough to move away is that many snakes spend very little time out in the open and active so you rarely see them. Depending on the temperature they may go weeks without eating. Once fed they go back into hiding not to reappear for days or weeks.
#11
08-02-10, 11:37 PM
Originally Posted by Pilot Dane
One problem with trying to deter or harass them enough to move away is that many snakes spend very little time out in the open and active so you rarely see them. Depending on the temperature they may go weeks without eating. Once fed they go back into hiding not to reappear for days or weeks.
Last edited by Edward074; 08-02-10 at 11:39 PM. Reason: nissing word
#12
08-03-10, 08:00 AM
Edward, Just to give you another option, I have seen snakes accidentally trapped in pits where they could not climb the sides. One was in a window well and others have been in holes with steep dirt sides. My suggestion would be to consider installing some pvc pipe or other smooth surface on the inside material that was deep enough so the critters couldn't reach the top. You could protect the top so small kids can't fall in, but located where the snakes travel, you might just get lucky. Boards could also be used to direct them to the pits.
Sounds like you are getting desperate, so I'm getting inventive
.
Bud
Sounds like you are getting desperate, so I'm getting inventive
.Bud
#13
08-03-10, 10:29 PM
Originally Posted by Bud9051
Edward, Just to give you another option, I have seen snakes accidentally trapped in pits where they could not climb the sides. One was in a window well and others have been in holes with steep dirt sides. My suggestion would be to consider installing some pvc pipe or other smooth surface on the inside material that was deep enough so the critters couldn't reach the top. You could protect the top so small kids can't fall in, but located where the snakes travel, you might just get lucky. Boards could also be used to direct them to the pits.
Sounds like you are getting desperate, so I'm getting inventive.
Bud
Sounds like you are getting desperate, so I'm getting inventive
.Bud
#15
08-04-10, 08:50 AM
Group Moderator
You will have to be very thorough if you try sealing your deck. They can fit through some incredibly tiny openings.
How many or how often have you seen snakes in your yard? Is it a real problem or more of a perceived problem?
If the summer is shot now that a snake has been sighted I would not go to the trouble of pulling up deck boards and screening under and around your deck. After doing all the work you will probably have a difficult time changing their perceptions.
If you are truly seeing snakes more often than you would like I would make sure that the lawn stays cut nice and short. Keep all the weeds trimmed around the deck, house and make sure you have no overgrown areas or piles of "stuff". Snakes and their prey/food love nooks & crannies and unkempt areas.
How many or how often have you seen snakes in your yard? Is it a real problem or more of a perceived problem?
If the summer is shot now that a snake has been sighted I would not go to the trouble of pulling up deck boards and screening under and around your deck. After doing all the work you will probably have a difficult time changing their perceptions.
If you are truly seeing snakes more often than you would like I would make sure that the lawn stays cut nice and short. Keep all the weeds trimmed around the deck, house and make sure you have no overgrown areas or piles of "stuff". Snakes and their prey/food love nooks & crannies and unkempt areas.
