Properly Managing Snake Problems

[aggie9296]

I agree with letting them live if possible. Relocating sometimes works. I have only killed 1 snake and that was a 4 ft Timber rattler that took up residence under my deck while I had 2 small dogs. I was afraid to let them out in the yard, so he had to go.

I currently have several species of non venomous snakes in my yard. A 4 ft black racer lives under my front proch. We startle each other every now and then when he's sunning by the front door. He must have a girlfriend, because I just found 2 complete shed skins in the fence. Oh boy, maybe we'll have baby snakes!

My folks kill every snake they find. Always have. Even the non venomous. Even had a neighbor kill a couple of glass snakes, which is actually a type of lizard. He was so scared of them, he chopped them up. I asked him that if he finds more, let me know and I'd come save him from the snake!

 

[zazouse]

Small gage wire works well here.

 

[Gracie9205]

Unless the snake is eating your eggs or birds, then it usually is more helpful than harmful. They will definitely help with a rodent problem for sure!

 

[luvinrunnin]

When I was going to nursing school I caught a red rat snake out in the woods. Thought I'd take him to the biology prof to have for a while. Had him in a box that I taped up really well. Hubby though I should leave the top not taped so much so I could check on him. Of course he got out. We lived in an old trailer we'd bought after it was repo'd and it wasn't the most airtight. had a hole in the floor by the front door that we had something over and really figured he'd get out.

3 months later DH was sitting on the couch and saw the snake go slithering across the kitchen floor and under the washing machine! LOL. The guy down the road had cut his corn and we had had field mice snubbing their nose at us and giving us the finger, but all that stopped when the snake got loose!

 

[bryan99705]

A good snake is BOOTS!

But that's why I love it up here, no snakes.

 

[N2Shown]

We have at least 2 large gopher snakes that live in and around our barn. I know there are 2 because last spring we spotted a couple of tiny babies. One of them is at least 6 foot long and I amd just fine with him/her being there because we rarely have mice in the barn and I have NEVER seen a rat in the barn. Thankfully we have no venomous snakes around but I am afraid I would have to dispose of them to keep the kids and pets safe.

 

[JerseyFresh]

It's all about finding the right balance and using common sense.

 

[paperdragonfarm]

I wish there were snakes that ate woodchucks. We have this obese sucker in our barn we just can't nail. Though picturing the little timber rattlers we have with a big woodchuck belly is kind of silly. We never have small chicks out side and the eggs are collected every day, they keep the rats away and every one is happy for the most part. You just learn to take a stick with you and walk carefully, it isn't a city after all.

 

[weaselslucks]

When I was 8 I brought home a baby copperhead home from the woods and asked if I could keep it. Come to find out my mom wasn't too thrilled

 

[Chickmate]

Wonderful and very well said post! I will never kill any snake, even a venomous one. Would much rather have them than mice and rats. They can take an egg or two every day if they want. I applaud you and your great attitude toward the creatures who were here long before we were. Too bad so many with fears feel they have to kill them.