| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Ideas for keeping rattlesnakes away?  |
|
|
Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 3:10:53 PM
|
Does anybody have any ideas for keeping snakes away from my other critters: Ducks, chickens, donkey, goats? We were told today to get some guinea hens, but to raise them ourselves cause they will fly away if they aren't raised here at the farm. I don't know.... I'm just exhausted and worried cause that dang snake that bit Jack is still out there somewhere! Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Lu
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.
http://luzy.etsy.com- My etsy store! |
|
|
UrbanChick
True Blue Farmgirl
331 Posts
Ayako
Atlanta
GA
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 4:34:42 PM
|
I use mothballs in glass baby jars with holes punched out in the lids. That way the critters don't eat the mothballs but you are getting the benefit of having the mothball "smell" around. Apparently the snakes when the stick their tounges out to smell the environment they get a mouthful of mothball scent and they don't like that and go away. I've used it for about 2 years but I have to keep remembering to add mothballs every month. Dosen't deter all the snakes, I found a small one near my vegi beds, but it was about 20 ft from the closest mothball trap. I've never come across a rattlesnake here in GA but there are cottonmouths that come into my yard.
"Courage dosen't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow." |
 |
|
|
Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 5:46:34 PM
|
Thank you so much for the tip. I will for sure try it!! Lu
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.
http://luzy.etsy.com- My etsy store! |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 8:08:29 PM
|
Get rid of rattle snake food- mice and rats. If they don't have enough to eat they won't breed and they will virtually disappear within a year.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
|
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 05:49:01 AM
|
At the True Value I have seen this invisible fence stuff for keeping different kinds of pests out. I wasn't looking seriously at it, so I don't have many details, but there were different ones you buy for different pests (snakes, rabbits, even deer). Looks like you either sprinkle it or pour it around the perimiter?
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
|
|
|
Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 07:52:55 AM
|
My Hubby just called and he has some packaged snake deterrent at work and he said it's crushed up moth balls! So I'm off to buy lots of moth balls and baby food jars!! Thanks Urban Chick!!!
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.
http://luzy.etsy.com- My etsy store! |
|
|
|
Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 09:02:33 AM
|
Bullsnakes might kill rattlers, and bullsnakes are not poisonous. Kingsnakes do eat them, but I don't think they exist in CO. Maybe what you need is a predator swap. If a non-threatening snake already occupies your territory and keeps varmint populations down, the place doesn't look so inviting to a rattler. Found this info:
Keeping snakes out of the yard
The best protection against rattlesnakes in the yard is a “rattlesnake proof” fence. It can be expensive and requires maintenance, however. The fence should either be solid or with mesh no larger than one-quarter inch. It should be at least three feet high with the bottom buried a few inches in the ground. Slanting your snake fence outward about a 30-degree angle will help. Vegetation should be kept away from the fence since the snake could crawl to the top of an adjacent tree or shrub. Discourage snakes by removing piles of boards or rocks around the home. Use caution when removing those piles - there may already be a snake there. Encouraging and protecting natural competitors like gopher snakes, kingsnakes and racers will reduce the rattlesnake population in the immediate area. And, kingsnakes actually kill and eat rattlesnakes. |
Edited by - Huckelberrywine on Aug 27 2007 09:58:45 AM |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 1:11:53 PM
|
It would much rather have a bull snake around any day! I have almost stepped on a rattler baby in my bare feet once. Talk about having a heart attack!!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
|
|
|
willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
|
|
grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 2:21:36 PM
|
From one colorado girl to another - I love Bull Snakes. They seem to keep rattle snakes away and with all the critters I have had here at the farm we have been lucky to keep those nasty rattle snakes away. I have also heard about the moth ball thing in the jar however it depends on how much area you have to protect. Good luck and keep us informed because I will pass it on to those I deal with around here.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Sep 09 2007 : 3:46:16 PM
|
| I saw some snake repellant at Home Depot today. It was with the rat and mouse killer. |
|
|
|
goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 1:47:07 PM
|
I asked my hubby how to keep rattlers away and he said a good shotgun would do the trick. Also, if you're of a mind, a donkey can do a good job too.... I've never heard of snake repellant...??
Winona :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
|
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2007 : 11:03:12 PM
|
| I hadn't every heard of it either but DH took great delight in showing it to me because he laughs at me everytime I pick up the hoe to walk to the neighbors when I"m in Montana. Mostly bull snakes over there, but the neighbor DID see a rattler this summer, in their yard, so I'm not taking any chances. |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Ideas for keeping rattlesnakes away? |
|
Ideas for keeping rattlesnakes away?
