Snake Removal

[BWSmith]

I have done quite a bit of snake removal, but I have a situation that needs a new approach. The house is PRIME habitat. 2 big RR tie walls, lots of ivy, lots of woods. It is truly Needle in a Haystack. Given the area involved, a funnel trap is not really feasible. The only catch/release glue trap is made of cardboard so it can't go outdoors. I know that they have been using modified mammal live traps in Guam for the Brown Tree snake, but it has had limited success. I am running out of ideas. The target species is Copperhead. There have been 3 confirmed in a 2 week span.

Any novel ideas? The usual methods just are not feasible here.
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[eddie]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> There have been 3 confirmed in a 2 week span.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Positive?
Sure it isn't the same one 3 times?

I am assuming they don't want to displace their ivy and that it's all over the retaining walls??

The best suggestions I can say is to get rid of any wet areas in the yard, get rid of the snakes food supply in and around the house (rat traps) and possibly give the finely chopped up mothballs ( Snake-Away) a try.

Other than that, two gallons of gas and a match. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[BWSmith]

yes, because they were killed by the lawn guys (who now have dropped them as a client bacause of the snakes) [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Ed_r]

Sounds like a good place for next years camping trip.
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[John_White]

Well, here's a novel idea for &quot;snake removal&quot; ...don't do it. Convince the humans that the snakes are a beautiful and necessary element of nature. Let the snakes remain in their prime habitat.

John

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[djnzlab]

HI,
I was stationed in NC and we had numerous run ins with copperheads and they never attempted to bite anyone, they seemed docile and just slithered off unless provoked or stepped on.. Maybe they will leave the area if you clean up the brush and around the edges of the yard. Most I saw were in very dense brush trying to get a way as fast as they could. They are probably eating lots of mice and other vermin..
Unlike their brothers the water moccasin ,,whoare very grumpy snakes..
Doug
[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

_________________
Got Bo'as???

[eddie]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Well, here's a novel idea for &quot;snake removal&quot; ...don't do it. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Then they'd have to cut their own grass.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Another idea is to just call around and let them find a lawn service that will cut their grass.
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[SteveP]

My landlord is a 'trapper' for Placer County, California. He didn't have any novel ideas (they usually just hunt down any Crotalus viridis giving people fits here and shoot 'em, club 'em (with a shovel), or just generally 'dispose' of them). He did say that in the cases of troublesome animals like snakes, skunks, 'possoms, racoons, feral cats, etc. that they remove the animal once and if the place is a garbage heap or jungle they tell the folks they have to clean up the area to deter the critters or else they won't come back. Generally it encourages people to maintain there places in the woods here otherwise they collect so much garbage (and consequent happy homes for critters) that there's just no way to get rid of them.

If these folks have a situation that is prime copperhead habitat, they will likely always have a problem...and will be a pain in the butt for you calling all the time because they saw a snake. And you know that everytime they see a snake now it will be a copperhead!!! The only thing I can suggest is to stake the place out occaisionally during the optimal time of day for activity this time of year. As a supplement to that just set out some boards, tin sheets, etc. and then inspect them once in a while hoping the snake(s) decide to use them for a hide now and then. Otherwise I'm at a loss for the moment! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

_________________
Nature...the original Master Planned Community!

[BWSmith]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Well, here's a novel idea for &quot;snake removal&quot; ...don't do it. Convince the humans that the snakes are a beautiful and necessary element of nature. Let the snakes remain in their prime habitat. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Good thoery, but not really feasible most of the time. By leaving them there, they are at greater risk from a shovel. 3 have already died there. Not from her hand, but from the lawn care company.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Maybe they will leave the area if you clean up the brush and around the edges of the yard </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
You would have to see this yard to believe it. Or should I call it more of a Property?

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> And you know that everytime they see a snake now it will be a copperhead!!! </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
She actually doesnt mind snakes. She even identified a watersnake while I was there (a creek in the front yard too LOL) And the Coppers that were killed were taken to a friend at a local nature center and identified.


<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> they will likely always have a problem...and will be a pain in the butt for you calling all the time because they saw a snake </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
I informed her of this. And from hence forth, I informed her that there will be charges for my services. I also laid out ply and other debris. Unfortunately, I think that the 2 very long retaining walls are where they are living.

I am no stranger to snake removal. I went out yesterday on another snake call. Hunting them is one thing. But trying to see what is in the wall or get them out is a problem. We know that vibration drives snakes. My idea was to get a small lawnmower motor or the like with metal spikes attached to go into the ground a bit and place it on the back side of the wall. In theory, the vibration would drive them out without force or use of chemicals.

Pros, Cons, ideas, feedback?
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