Snakes

mars · Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 7

Is there a combination of something that will "discourage" snakes? I heard that lyme and moth balls mixed together will keep them away.
Any ideas?

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

What type of snakes are you trying to discourage? Where I live there will be the occasional snake which wanders onto our property. Since we live near a lake and marshy wildlife preserve, the only snakes I don't welcome are the water moccasins. Usually if the snakes don't have habitat and food source they won't come around with any frequency.

pireaux059 · Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 2 Location: South Texas

:roll: Hey Folks , Not all snakes are bad & even the bad boys will be on their way with a little help. I relocate rattlers but non venemous snakes I leave alone as they provide very good rodent control & they dont meow or beg on my back porch.... Pireaux

mars · Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 7

I'm not fond of any snakes because I have a snake phobia - however that's part of living in the country. The snakes I'm concerned about mostly are copperheads. We saw a 12" one this week end that my husband had actually killed when he ran over him with the tractor.

Mr. Clean · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 708 Location: Garland, Texas

Copperheads can be dangerous as their victims often step on them unknowingly while the snake is "hiding". Unlike a rattlesnake, they provide no warning, luckily they are not agressive. I do understand your concern. Cleaning up their habitat, leaf litter, fallen branches, etc. should keep them away from the house and areas most travelled. I assume you live in an area where there are lots of trees, for those areas that you can't keep cleared of leaves etc. just be careful where you step and put your hands. I know of no surefire repellent other than the elimination of habitat and food sources.

Perhaps others might be able to provide an answer.

mars · Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 7

We just purchased 6 l/2 acres in the country that has never been cleared. We are in the process of cutting trees, cleaning out areas, and burning brush. In two months we've only seen one so I think we're pretty lucky actually. I'm looking down the road when we build in about a year.
The acerage is covered with trees so I guess the main thing will be to keep the brush out and trees trimmed. We are going to put a lake on the property and I know where there's water we'll usually find snakes. We'll just be careful of watching we go and walk.
Thanks for any info -

Tricky Grama · Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:13 am Post subject: snakes

Yesterday our 'feagle' was a little too interested in a large stump on our acreage so I went to investigate. A 6' BLACK SNAKE!! I really didn't scream, I know they are beneficial but GEEZ! Such a surprise. I really don't want to step on it when clearing briar, mustang grape vine, etc, & I guess it will learn to live with our weekend visits but will it hurt the dog?
Plano Patty

pridgeon · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 85 Location: Franklin,TEXAS

We found our first copperhead of the season yesterday. Ticks, ants, mosquitos, snakes...don't you just love summer. My dad's dog got bit by a rattlesnake; he took her to the vet but the vet didn't do anything. Her leg swelled and she limped for a while but that was it. I have also heard that lime will keep snakes away; my grandmother used to plant mint around the house to keep them away. That's an old country remedy that I don't guarantee will work, but a lot of time they knew what they were talking about.

Dchall_San_Antonio · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 2001 Location: San Antonio,TEXAS

Mars, if you're worried about finding snakes while you're clearing the brush, why not use a mob of goats and/or sheep to clear the brush for you. They'll clear it to the ground if you leave them long enough and they leave behind a fertilizer that's pretty good. If, at the same time, you sprinkle some grass and clover seed, they will push the seed into the ground with their hooves and plant it for you, too. Then, when the goats have finished clearing the land, the vermin that the snakes were there to eat will have to find some other place to hide (like your house), so be ready with your cat and Jack Russell terrier to ward away any rats or mice.

Nadine · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 1194 Location: Carrollton,TEXAS

mars wrote: Is there a combination of something that will "discourage" snakes? I heard that lyme and moth balls mixed together will keep them away.
Any ideas?

Mothballs are something that should be avoided like the plague. They are extremely toxic to all living things (including you). :shock:

If you must be in an area likely to have snakes, wear protective boots and carry a long stick to rustle in the grass ahead of you to do the "surprising" instead of your leg. When you catch a snake off guard is when you are apt to be bitten. Otherwise, they usually just scurry away. When I was younger, growing up in Florida, we would slap the top of the water we were swimming or walking in to scare away the water moccasins.

It is important to study snakes so you can tell the difference between those that could be potentially harmful to you and those that are not. :wink:

Tricky Grama · Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:36 am Post subject: snakes

Thanks to everyone for their replies. It's especially helpful to know they won't hurt the dog.
Plano Patty :roll:

pridgeon · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 85 Location: Franklin,TEXAS

If your dog gets bitten you should still take it to the vet - just because it didn't hurt my dad's dog, doesn't mean it won't affect others. One consideration is probably the size of the dog and the size of the snake.

manyfootplace · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 1 Location: Whitesboro, Texas

I noted with interest the comments on snakes. As a breeder of Yorkshire Terriers living on 13 acres close to the Oklahoma border, we have lots of copperheads. Since the Yorkies are able to run free on 4 1/2 acres fenced to contain them and we are 30 miles from our vet, we keep a good supply of Benadryl and a pain killer prescribed by our vet (aspirin is not good) to treat snake bites on site. We had 5 bites last summer and approximately that many each of the past 8 years we've lived here. Inquisitive little devils the Yorkies are so they tend to be bitten around the face. The most serious effect of the bites has been slight loss of hair (only occasionally). The vet likes antibiotics and likes to shave the area...We don't use antibiotics and never shave the area...just keep it clean and use a little goldenseal topically.
It's good to find so much fabulous info in one location.
LuRuth Taylor
Manyfoot Place

Tricky Grama · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 10:48 am Post subject: Skinks

Now I've seen everything! A week ago while checking a huge old Bois D'Arc stump for snakes that I saw there weeks ago, I saw a skink!! (I'm in my 2nd childhood, bear w/me.) It had a rust colored head, sort of light gray body w/darker stripes on it's back & short legs-like a short shine-y snake w/legs! Plus, there was another one peeking out of a woodpecker hole in a nearby tree. Ain't nature fun! Looked it up on the 'net & it's a broad-headed skink (Eumeces laticeps) native to the Savannah River Site, from SE Penn to central Fla to E.Tx & N to KS. A little out of their area but we're glad to have 'em.
Plano Patty :D

sandih · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 1077 Location: Dallas,TEXAS

You all should consider getting a field guide thta show snakes in your area...or snakes in general at least. This way you can identify immediately what you have an know if they're poisonous.

Snakes are very beneficial and you should encourage them.