Pets and Pests

[Cynthia and Marie]

Hi..I have a farm which is home to livestock and an assortment of pets. Occasionally we have confrontations with Copperhead snakes. I do not use toxins under the house or around the barn. I am more afraid of secondary toxicity of the pets and usefull animals. I use sticky traps for mice in non frequented areas and wonder if there is anything as successful for the extermination or repulsion of these aggressive snakes. Thank you.

[khwoz]

Not foolproof but a couple of cats tend to keep snakes away and mice/rats under control. In the last 15 years I've seen one snake (harmless) & only dead mice the cats have to show me when they catch one.

[Cynthia and Marie]

Thanks...I am raising a kitten. I just prefer him to only have to deal with the occasional mouse. I also have two Livestock Guardian dogs which watch over the flock of sheep. The snakes I have dealt with were around the flowerbed, in the garage and in the feed room. I am hoping by eradicating the mice the snakes will go elsewhere. I do enjoy planting herbs and was wondering if there are any particular varieties which are disagreeable to snakes. I also have used product to plug holes to the inside of my feed room to keep both mice and snakes outside...and I mow what does not get grazed down by sheep and horses.