How to keep Copperheads away?

[hobbyfarm]

I've heard (and perhaps it's an old wive's tale) that snakes will not cross a rope or old garden hose. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
You might give it a try.
I've also heard of this:
<font color="teal">Snake Away</font>
I have no idea how practical it is to expect a "snake free" area.
I'd bet education is the best bet.

 

[Slamfire]

I think he needs a whole flock of king snakes. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[LMTC]

Checked that site and main ingredient is apparently Naphthalene--if I'm not mistaken, that's also the main ingredient in moth balls. Hmmmm. No wonder snakes don't attack moths. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Check this link ToxFAQs™ for some info about naphthalene, including why people don't want too much exposure to it. I'll bet you can buy flakes for moth control a for a lot less than the snake stuff is selling for.

I would second the king snake thing...seriously. Perhaps talk with a biologist (state wildlife, etc) as to the viability of king snakes surviving in your area, and if it is good, find some place to buy a few (making sure to get male & female). They WILL put a dent in the rest of the snake population. Here's a place that came up on Google to buy snakesThat Pet Place

 

[EddieWalker]

I have no first hand knowledge, but have heard stories from others that some guard animals will kill snakes. Donkies, Llamas and Geese. Again, don't know if it's true or not.

I have seen Pronghorn Antlelope kill a snake and heard about them killing coyotes, but that's not a practical solution.

The one thing I would try to do is minimize the reason they are there. Habitat and food. Lawn isn't very attractive to snakes. Wide open, exposed and nothing to eat.

Eddie

 

[DHennet]

Bring your friend any King or Black snakes you have on your property. Both are territorial and will not tolerate Copperheads. Also make sure he does not have any wood piles around the house. Does he have a pig or two? Pigs will help. I've watched my chickens eat baby snakes too? Don't know if they were Copperheads or not...

 

[txdon]

Guineas might work, if they don't you can always eat them.
Some people say Peacocks eat snakes.
I have no first hand experience with either just another avenue to investigate.

 

[XANDROS_user]

Recomend cedar chips. The aroma seems to confuse their senses and they avoid the area. Have used cedar chips in the well house etc. Tis only good for a season (or as long as the aroma lasts).

 

[daedong]

Try cats

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Good clues Thanks!!

Vin, I have tried cats. I use a lot of picante sause on mine.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MF1455v]

I'm sure I'm going to catch some slack over this one, but it has works for me.

Neighbor has a pond full of cat tails about 75 feet from my car port and about 125 feet from my house. Have a lot of problems with his crop of water moccasins finding there way to my place. My grandfather told me to use sulfur. I have been using the granules and putting in a push spreader. Lightly speed 100 lbs covers about 1/4 acre around the house. I wait until I see first snake in the spring before putting it out. Then will not see another snake the rest of the summer.

It does have a slight odor for a day or so, but its better than getting snake bit. The odor form the powder sulfur lasts much longer. Side benefit is the Bermuda grass loves it.

The feed store owner says most people buy it for chiggers. This year he has sold so much he can't order it fast enough.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Gonna try it THANKS!!!!!

 

[Dozernut]

Boy, did that bring back some memories. When I was a kid we used to pick wild Black Berries for spending money. Before picking them we would go to the drug store and buy a dimes worth of sulfur in a small paper sack. We would then sprinkle the sulfur around our waist bands and socks. We never got any Chiggers when we did this but once in a while we would forget or not have the dime for the sulfur. That was a miserable and itchy experience.

 

[jcmseven]

Mike,

The "Snake Away" product qualifies that it does not consistently repel cottonmouth or copperhead (the pit viper) variety of snakes. Thankfully, although in my area both varieties are pretty common we have not noted any on our property. Interestingly we have a large number of these small ringed garter snakes, which inhabit specific places around our property (seem to be territorial). The do not grow more than 12" in length but can startle you when you see one crawling at your feet. We do not kill them, but I will relocate them if I see one close to the house. They do not seem to mind the snake away either, I have seen them crawl through it, oblivious. In any event, they seem to keep the bad snakes away. My feeling is the sulfur is the better idea. I have not been able to prove that the naphthelene does anything to keep the snakes away, and I think it smells worse than the sulfur based products. (Of course, we live just five miles from a paper mill and I just may be used to it).

John M