Snake In My Backyard!

[MyLilyRose]

eegghghh -barf- Snakes are so GROSS! Unfortunately, I live in Texas where there are tons of creepy things..I've seen scorpions, tarantulas...no snakes, yet luckily -knocks on wood-. I had a friend at work say he was fishing in a stream a few weeks ago and saw a bunch of water moccasins which are very venomous.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I am like you. I'm grossed out by them! I just don't know what in the world I would do if I found a big one like that in my back yard and my animal control people would not help me! I would have to hire someone to come out and get it or I could never go out there again.

[peachbongi]

SSSHHHHH!!! Don't talk about it!!!

I am still not over last year finding not one but 3 or was it 4, not sure but for almost a week we found a new snake every day in our yard.

The longest was about 6.5 to 7 feet long in the back yard. My neighbor came over and shot it with snake pellet. It was a black snake and so were the others. I had no idea how fast they were until I tried to run over one with the car. Not happening.

I still go out side and look all around before I let the dogs out. They freak me out!!!!!

I know they are suppose to be good, but Fergie is so tiny they may think she is a rat.

Sorry snake lovers really I am but...

The only good snake to me is a D E D dead snake!!

[AllDogBoots]

What a chain of events I'm having! I woke up this morning with a swollen lip Figured I'd ice it and take some Benadryl. That didn't work and then my right eye swelled up. Ugh I spent all morning in a walk in clinic of all things.

I'll be planting my marigolds and using Snake Away shortly. I haven't seen the snake but not sure what else I can do now. I'm not fearful of the backyard anymore.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

What a chain of events I'm having! I woke up this morning with a swollen lip Figured I'd ice it and take some Benadryl. That didn't work and then my right eye swelled up. Ugh I spent all morning in a walk in clinic of all things.

I'll be planting my marigolds and using Snake Away shortly. I haven't seen the snake but not sure what else I can do now. I'm not fearful of the backyard anymore.

Gosh I hope you're feeling better...

I don't think you'll see that snake again. Snakes prefer to avoid people and dogs, for the most part. Lost pet snakes may be another story, as they have learned not to fear humans.

Best thing to do, (and I want to specify about the trash can lid... the older metal types that have the handle in the middle...use it like a shield) when you first go into your yard, stomp your feet and be loud about it. The snakes will pick up the vibration and should leave.

If it's a sunny day, and you see one coiled around with their head on their body, relaxed... it probably fell asleep in the sun. You can't tell bc they cannot close their eyes. Even when approaching pet snakes, it's always best to wait till they move before getting too close, or putting a hand in the cage.

A snake that is ready to strike will have it's body coiled and it's head and neck and upper body will be in an 'S' shape, raised above the rest of it's body. This is where the shield will come in handy. If you freeze at this point (don't blink either), and you're downwind, the snake will lose interest and turn to leave. Once a snake decides to vacate and is moving away is the safest time to turn and leave, or if one is removing a snake, the safest time to try to pick it up.

Baby snakes are more apt to try to bite bc they are prey themselves when small. Venom from a baby snake is just as toxic as venom from an adult.

Any snake may attempt to bite when cornered. If you happen to corner a snake accidentally, slowly back away and allow it room to leave.

Poisonous snakes can be aggressive, non-poisonous usually are not. Poisonous snakes can bite without envenomating, but always call 911 and get to a hospital right away if you're not sure.

Pet normal Burmese Python

Pet Albino Burmese python

Snake behavior: trying to leave

Coral and Scarlett King Snake comparison

[ltret0294]

I went out to the pool late morning and found someone else enjoying the water. Just scooped the critter out and deposited it in the neighbor's yard. The 3 younger "pups" have caught snakes (non poison) and squirrels in the backyard. Luckily I have managed to rescue the visitors each time.

[MyLilyRose]

Originally Posted by ltret0294

I went out to the pool late morning and found someone else enjoying the water. Just scooped the critter out and deposited it in the neighbor's yard. The 3 younger "pups" have caught snakes (non poison) and squirrels in the backyard. Luckily I have managed to rescue the visitors each time.

Bless you for having such compassion for the snakes!! If it was me I would be chopping that sucker in half- venomous or not! LOL I hate snakes

[ltret0294]

The one(s) they have manage to catch are stunned from being flung around so they are glad to leave the yard with/without my help. If I see one sunning itself in the grass I shoo it away before the gang sees it. I am cautious about snakes and whatever else comes into the yard or is flying overhead (hawks) especially at night when I let the kids out for their last potty break.

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

There are snakes in Hawaii. They've gotten the ones that have hitched rides over from Guam. The bad part is there are no natural predators on the islands to fend them off.

Brown Tree Snake invasion in Hawaii

Great article, though the title is misleading, there is not an invasion here. It explains there have been less than a dozen snakes in over 20 years, so Hawaii is about as snake free as you can get.

It would be devastating to have the same invasion as Guam.

[ltret0294]

Snakes in Guam were a problem when I was stationed there in the mid 1980s. I do not remember which one(s) they were but they were eating the eggs of of the native birds which was hurting that particular species population.

[zcb]

Just scooped the critter out and deposited it in the neighbor's yard

I've done that too. Last house we had was on a reserve and backed up to water. We had pinkish colored rat snakes that would hang around our lanai and would scoop them up with the end of a broom and throw them into a neighbor's yard that I didn't like. Pretty dumb of me because they came right back. That was long before we had Scooter.

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by ltret0294

I went out to the pool late morning and found someone else enjoying the water. Just scooped the critter out and deposited it in the neighbor's yard. The 3 younger "pups" have caught snakes (non poison) and squirrels in the backyard. Luckily I have managed to rescue the visitors each time.

that is so funny...glad i'm not your neighbor though!

[manolos mom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

First of all, I would have to agree that I would be traumatized by the thought of snakes living under my carpet and showing up randomly. Wowsie! I think I would have moved into the backyard and let the slitheries have the bed!

You can buy snake repellent at Tractor Supply, Home Depot, and similar type stores. I'm not sure if it works or not, though. I am so very sorry you are traumatized about the snake. For your peace of mind, I hope he leaves and doesn't return.

I was raised in Florida and there was a cyprus swamp behind my back yard. We also had lots of snakes, both venemous and harmless. I was taught from the time I was a little bity thing to respect snakes, how to distinguish between the bad (venemous) and the good (non venemous). It was FORBIDDEN to kill a non-venemous snake especially King Snakes. I remember we had a huge king snake that lived under my playhouse for years and would sun on our garage steps. I can never remember seeing a venemous snake in our back yard. I grew up with a great respect for snakes and now, as an adult we try to keep a black snake in our horse barn to help take care of rodents. Unfortunately the hawks have just about depleted our snake population.

Your parents raised you well! Snakes are here for a reason but I would probably have the same reaction as everyone, SCARED. One morning Lola brought a baby snake in my house. I was shocked but picked it up with a stick and let it go outside.

[lisaly]

I am first reading this thread now, and I hope you are feeling better and also a little safer and more secure. I would be terrified, too, especially with Max and Cooper. I hope you can once again feel secure to let them out back when you are out there with them. I can imagine how afraid you felt while living in Florida. Although it was traumatic, seeing the person you already are, I think it probably shaped you into an even more courageous and empathetic person than you already were. I know the love you always give your boys, but please take care of yourself too and know that others care about you.

[AllDogBoots]

Thanks Lisa. Oddly I'm ok having to go in the backyard. I'm extremely cautious and check the yard now before letting the boys outside. I can even go outside at night with a flashlight to do my snake check. I sprinkled Snake Away around the perimeter of my yard in hopes that it will deter them. It doesn't kill, it deters. However my whole house smells like sulfur (mothballs). I'm planting Marigolds today as I hear the scent repels snakes (& mosquitos). I think I just have to suck it up, as I now live in a state where snakes are common.

kjc - thank you for all that information! I will not be visiting any snake breeders, but thanks for the suggestion. Also, the snake was coiled and I believe his head was up. My timing may have been life saving.