| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 09 2011 : 7:46:00 PM
Today me and Kansas were out in the yard getting ready to fill up water troughs and buckets. I reached down to unhook a hose and Kansas saw a snake right next to her. We have stepping stones leading from the driveway to the little house. It was right on one. I really didn't see much because I took off running. Kansas was right behind me. We got to the house in about 3 seconds. I thought about it for a few more seconds then got mad and went to get the shovel so I could go kill it. But it was gone. I could not find that snake anywhere. In just less than a minute.
So we stayed inside for awhile and I worried about Mazie not having water. So I went on outside with a hoe. I never did see that snake. I went ahead and filled up water buckets and mowed the yard and garden. Came in and gave Kansas a bath and went back out to water the new stuff I had planted today. Came back in and got Kansas to bed. I kept hearing Bubba barking but didn't think anything about it. He barks all the time.
So I took a shower. Bubba was really barking by now. I looked out the door and he was standing by the driveway in the grass. I thought it might be that snake. So I went out with the hoe and a flashlight. It was the snake. Bubba grabbed it several times and shook it and threw it up in the air. He kept doing that awhile.
And he killed it. I got as close as I could because I hate snakes. Even dead ones. But I don't trust them at all. And it was only about 2' long. And it was not a black snake like what was in the barn a few weeks before. That one was at least 7' long. This one also has a pattern. It was too dark to see but I do believe it was a rattlesnake. It's right before I have to go into the gate to get the goats in the morning. If I can I will look then. But I do think it is a rattlesnake. I hope Bubba didn't get bit. He seems to be ok.
I am so proud of that dog. He was in the house earlier today when we first saw it. He didn'y give up and he got it. He is such a good dog.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 09:44:01 AM
Let us know how it works. I know my new basement will look inviting to lots of critters including those with no legs. I'm thinking a little spread at each doorway!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 09:35:16 AM
I got some. I stink now. I still have to go to the barn out back and put some out there now. That stuff is nasty. It better work. I even put some in the cracks of the wall. And in the wood piles too. Yep, the feed bags laying around is not a good idea. I use them for the garden. I want a garden shed one of these days.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 07:14:52 AM
Kris- I really feel for you! It is hard not to create a perfect place for snakes to hide out living on a farm. We have lots of dry stacked stone walls around our place. They just love them. That is where our big garden snake lives. We also mulch heavily in the garden so there is a good habitat for the moles, voles, and field mice. The compost piles are also right there. I guess we have created the perfect habitat! I'll bet the mice etc like your feed bags. So where there are mice there will be snakes... Put the bags in something mouse proof or get rid of them. I can stand a snake outdoors but indoors is another subject! YIKES!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 05:13:47 AM
I guess I'll look for that stuff. I think it's called Sanke Away. But it has a picture of a snake on the front. When I worked at the hardware store someone else always had to put that away for me. Then when someone came to the register to buy some it always made me scream. But not too loud. They would have to put it in the bag for me. But if it will keep them out of the milk room I'll do it. We also had to stack fire wood in the cat room. So there could be one in there too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jun 27 2011 : 12:24:33 AM
If the feeding is good, snakes usually don't travel too far; so it is likely still in there somewhere (eating rodents ;) ). Even looking at the shed skin there's no real way to tell how long it has been there. I know there is some powder stuff you can buy that is supposed to keep snakes away, not sure if it works or not though. I saw some at the feed store the other day.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 26 2011 : 6:38:42 PM
Rachel, I would have probably done something about the same. Your mother sounds like me.
So this morning I was cleaning out the milkroom. I was sweeping up under everything. I saw this thing hanging from the wall. We have cinder block walls in there. And some have pretty good size cracks in them. Well, I looked closer and it was a snake skin! Yep, a snake skin. I always thought there was a snake in that wall. A few years back I saw a snake in there. I had just finished milking all the goats except Sadie. I was waiting for her to finish eating and was moving old feed bags out of the way. Up under a stack was a snake. I screamed and ran out of there so fast. That's when my Dd and her husband were living next door. I ran over there and got them. Jeff looked all over in that room and said he couldn't find it. And poor Sadie still on the milk stand. Jeff had to get her out. He had to get all 3 milk stands out of there for me. We cleaned from top to bottom. Even washed the floors. I had to force myself to do it and was scared to death the whole time. I couldn't milk in there for a few weeks. Milked them all outside. I finally got several boxes of moth balls and put them all over. Then I could not go in the milk room because of the smell. It was horrible. I even smelled like moth balls. So had to get them all out. Anyway, it took a long time to go back to milking in there. And now this! Ewwww, I hate snakes! So does it mean it's still in there? Or is it long gone. And I don't know how long it's been there since I have not swept in awhile. It could have been the black snake we saw a few weeks ago. the same day Bubba killed the other snake. It probably went right in there and has been there all this time.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jun 25 2011 : 06:54:52 AM
I did after I locked the door so my mom wouldn't come beat me in my sleep! Not so sure that she did though.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 6:04:29 PM
I can sure relate to the slinging part Rachel! Did either one of you get any sleep that night? LOL
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 5:57:20 PM
hehehe..I have tons of snake stories, will share another. When I was living with my parents one night, around 11PM my mom comes into my room screaming at the top of her lungs "Rachel come get this snake, it's a monster, it's after me" After having a near heart attack, I jumped out of bed and asked her where this monster snake was. She said it was in her room and it was after her so it might be in the living room. I looked and looked and didn't see anything. So then I looked under an old desk she had in her bedroom and there it was..about 6-8 inches and about as big around as a pencil of baby corn snake trying to get away. I picked it up and was headed to the front door to let it out when the little thing bit me on my finger. I yelled (insert cussword here) and slung my finger...well the poor little guy goes flying off my hand and lands right on the top of my mom's head. She starts jumping and screaming (insert lots of cusswords here) and slapping at her hair trying to get it out and screaming "it's gonna get me, it's trying to eat me oh my god it's gonna choke me" I started laughing, she started yelling more (and telling me to stop laughing cause she's gonna beat me if the snake doesn't kill her first) and to get it off of her before it kills her. Finally I stop laughing long enough to see the little guy on the floor dazed, I caught him (or her) again and put it outside and she was still fussing that it might come back and get her. Needless to say when I did make it back to bed, I locked the door and slept with one eye open...
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 1:57:09 PM
Glad to hear that Kris. I was afraid we might be bothering you with the stories.
The floor guy did come back but declined our request for him to dump the sawdust on the compost bin. It was to close to the garden. He did put it in a box for us. : )
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 1:50:50 PM
Jackie, there are some funny snake stories for sure. I have to laugh at myself sometimes just to keep from loosing it. So keep those funny snake storied coming! Just NO pictures please!!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 08:09:33 AM
LOL There is laughter in anxiety sometimes! I'm one of those people that laugh when I'm a bit scared. I know. I'm working on it. I've done it since childhood. Think it is because I had a mean sibling and could not show fear or it could go really bad fast. I giggle at the worst times. Folks that go running and screaming from snakes are more normal than me running and giggling! LOL
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| BalancingAct |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 07:19:41 AM
Is anybody else enjoying this thread just for the laughter of the stories?  I'm sharing some of the funny posts with my DH and we're both rolling!
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
http://www.fiberandherbscottage.blogspot.com/ |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 7:46:11 PM
Kris there are so many people who feel like you do I don't think anyone thought to much about you getting up. Our hardwood floor installer was at the farm today while we were there and called us to the porch to talk to us. He told us he saw a big snake in the garden ( from a window) and acted like he thought we would run screaming to the jeep. We told him we knew it was there and the look on his face said it all. He was terrified. Big guy, real deep voice, strong as an ox and scared to death of snakes. This phobia knows no boundaries.
I just hope he comes back to finish the floors!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 7:24:38 PM
We pulled pranks like that too. I once put three toads in another girls sleeping bag at camp. Thank goodness I didn't tell anyone i did it. It did not go over well. oops
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 7:18:10 PM
Connie, that is funny! I don't know what I'd do if that happened to me.
Cindy, that was a horrible joke to play on that poor mother. I wonder what she did when she found out who did that.
Today I took my granddaughter to the library. She's joined the summer reading program and on Wed. they have story hour. There was a really good story teller this morning. I was really enjoying her until she told a story about a little lady who's son was in Africa studying reptiles. Then she brought out this big round box shaped like a tire that her son sent her by UPS for her birthday. I knew right away what was in that box and got up out of my chair and went down a row of books. I felt like a fool. But I was right. She brough out a stuffed green boa snake. I cam eback and sat down when she put it back in the box.
I have not seen any more snakes. That's not to say they aren't out there somewhere. I just am not seeing them. I still look for the black snake that we saw that day before the other snake that Bubba got.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 7:06:55 PM
Connie--I was laughing at your description of throwing a snake across the basement! Reminds me of a friend of mine who found a snakeskin and put it in the basement--her mother found it and ran screaming up the steps cause she thought there was a snake down there! What little darlings we were LOL.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 6:19:52 PM
My oldest caught them too. He left one in his pocket once. I did the laundry while they were in the bath. I leaned in to check the tub of the washer by running my hand around the bottom and found a belt. Or so I thought, till it wrapped around my arm. That one got slung across the basement! A naked little boy was dispatched down there to catch it and take it outside. That was the last live thing I ever found in a pocket.
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jun 22 2011 : 6:01:08 PM
I've discovered a little visitor in my compost bin--a garter snake that i've seen in there three times during the past week. I wonder if he likes it because it's warm? He always slithers away when I open the top. he startled me once but now I know to look for him. I'm not afraid, cause we used to catch garter snakes when I was a kid. And he's small :)
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| CMac |
Posted - Jun 20 2011 : 09:53:44 AM
We had a discussion some where on here about just not talking about the fact that we butchered that chicken we are serving or that the dish we are serving is different in anyway from what your guest is used to eating because so many people are just plain put off by that. Same is true with snakes on my farm. I do the usual "We are in the country so watch where you step" talk but I never tell folks about the snakes I let live in the garden. No one would visit it if I did! With all the talking and footsteps they are scarce before we hit the garden gate anyway. Kids left to play on the property are always told more about snake safety. Look before you step over a log or off a ledge, never put your hands where you can't see and never try to kill a snake by yourself. Come get a grownup.
If i'm asked outright questions I am honest but most city folks only ask about poisonous snakes. I haven't had a copper head or rattler in the yard or gardens in two years. ( That I've seen.) : )
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| BalancingAct |
Posted - Jun 16 2011 : 3:22:49 PM
Well, for the record, I do have garden snakes and I appreciate them for helping to keep the rodents and bugs down. Although, I do not appreciate them munching on my strawberries! It is very wise to learn your different snakes and steer clear of the vipers or the ones that cause harm. My mom still freaks out, and I think she always will, about any snake. And I used to be the same way, but decided if I was going to really live in the country, I was just going to have to "learn" to coexist. When she comes to my place I always remind her to step carefully in "the back 40". I have had to "shoo" a few snakes from my back yard directly behind the house. THAT I haven't told her!
Farmgirl Sister #2851 -"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
http://www.fiberandherbscottage.blogspot.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 7:33:37 PM
Rachel, I have laughed so much at your description of your hubby. That is what I would have done. I bet you could hardly see after that. Poor guy. I hope you didn't rub it in too awful bad. I really don't know a thing about snakes. I had no idea that they were getting smaller and fewer. Really, I know that each animal has a purpose and is here for a reason. Although I still don't know why we have to have flies. And I would love to come visit if I can get a farm sitter. My parents are going back to Statesboro the end of this week. I wish I could go with them.
Tina, I understand how you feel. And thanks for understanding me. I will keep my distance if they will.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 7:29:25 PM
I'm all for leaving snakes alone but a copperhead on my property is a different story. good dog, Bubba.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 7:19:19 PM
Kris, I have a friend who now lives in Arizona, she is like you about snakes, probally worse. She will scream, like to shatter glass, and run blindly any direction to get away. A dead snake in the road, she will close her eyes and pick up her feet, now mind you, she's driving, been with her when shes done that,lol...She has never had a close call with a snake, all of her 69 yrs, but she is terrified, her sister, and both parents have no fear at all...So, yes, I do understand, and I hope someday, all of you that have this fear, will be able to overcome it...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| rksmith |
Posted - Jun 14 2011 : 6:50:14 PM
Oh Kristin, I like you anyway ---even if you don't like snakes;) Next time you come to the big town of Pembroke, stop by my place for a visit and I'll keep the door to my craft room closed so you won't see my boa:D. You don't sound heartless to me..I know that most people hate snakes, some people can take them or leave them and others love them--to each his/her own. Snakes are an important part of nature (everything in creation is has an important role in my opinion). If I lived closer I'd be happy to come out and remove snakes from your place! I used to get a good many calls from the neighbors around here for that very thing, but haven't had any in a long time. I haven't seen nearly as many snakes as I used to and the ones I'm seeing here are alot smaller. I don't think I've ever seen a copperhead as big as the one in your picture either. About 2 summers ago my husband and I were sitting outside under an oak tree relaxing when I saw a movement by his foot. I told him to hold still and not move because it was a small copperhead crawling on his foot. Well of course when I said that, before I could get anything to move the snake..he screams like a schoolgirl, kicks his foot, nearly flips out of the chair and sends the poor little snake flying across the yard. After he got a grip and I quit laughing so hard we located the snake and he killed it since it was venomous. I've got the skeleton in my bone drawer (I love to collect bones). This one was probably about 2 1/2 feet or so long, it was a young one. I think one of the main reasons this was so funny (thankfully he didn't get bitten) is that my husband is 6'4" 220 pounds and looks really intimidating to most people (bald, beard, biker kinda looking guy) and to hear him scream like a girl was so funny..I wish I had that on tape ;). I do think it is important to note though, that throughout the whole ordeal, the copperhead kept trying to get away and never once tried to strike. I read a study by Whit Gibbons a while back on copperheads and he said that they are the most reluctant to strike of the venomous snakes in our area (he tested this out but hunting snakes while wearing snake gear and seeing what it would take to get them to strike apparently). Good thing to keep in mind, but always try to keep your distance, especially if you are not very familiar with snakes in your area.
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
