Among Friends

[Drythe]

@Shanus

Look up Copperhead, really the only one you're likely to see around here.  It's pretty obvious.

Do you keep food or water around doggie door? Might want to remove if not too inconvenient for dogs.

You can try sprinkling lime around those steps.  However, it will get on dog's feet too.  A bit will not hurt them, but can be messy on floors, and not good if they lick too much off feet.

Lock the doggie door at night, and turn off any lights near it.  Snake is likely coming to collect toads which are attracted to bugs which are attracted to light - mother nature's design, I don't care for it as I like toads, but there it is.

[ECBG]

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@RedTop wrote:

This is definitely a year to be watching for snakes, no matter where you live!   

I’ve already lost count of the stories I’ve read on Yahoo about copperheads or rattlesnakes; on porches, inside kids pool toys, shrubbery, the huge timber rattler in a TN backyard, a rattler near a lighthouse, and just last week police in Roanoke, VA stopped traffic while a rattlesnake made its way across Franklin Road!   

Earlier this month my husband found 2 black snakes near our wood pile; both over 4 ft long.   He killed one, and is still watching for the other snake.   My farmer grandpa wanted black snakes in the barn, corn crib, and granary, but I don’t have any of those buildings on my property, and I don’t want 2 snakes that big around my house.   

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@RedTopJust thought I might share this.  Wilhelmina lived in our basement for 10 years and never, ever showed herself to me.  I live on the edge of woods and an ecosystem that is 1/2  mile wide and 1 1/2 miles long.  Never, EVER had mice, destruction, or their mess because of our invisable girl!

http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/07/05/4-lies-youve-probably-heard-about-black-snakes/

[Shanus]

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@Drythe wrote:

@Shanus

Look up Copperhead, really the only one you're likely to see around here.  It's pretty obvious.

Do you keep food or water around doggie door? Might want to remove if not too inconvenient for dogs.

You can try sprinkling lime around those steps.  However, it will get on dog's feet too.  A bit will not hurt them, but can be messy on floors, and not good if they lick too much off feet.

Lock the doggie door at night, and turn off any lights near it.  Snake is likely coming to collect toads which are attracted to bugs which are attracted to light - mother nature's design, I don't care for it as I like toads, but there it is.

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@Drythe   Thank you for the additional info. Will look into it. I’m not fond of any critters. 

[fourpaws56]

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@Shanus wrote:

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@fourpaws56 wrote:

@Shanus   thanks for posting, we can never be to careful Did you see my thread in the garden forum?  rattle-snake in my yard...scarey!

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@fourpaws56  Not sure I’d be as brave w/ a rattler. 

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I had to kill it,,,I have grandkids...I check for snakes everyday ..

[Drythe]

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@Shanus wrote:

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@Drythe wrote:

@Shanus

Look up Copperhead, really the only one you're likely to see around here.  It's pretty obvious.

Do you keep food or water around doggie door? Might want to remove if not too inconvenient for dogs.

You can try sprinkling lime around those steps.  However, it will get on dog's feet too.  A bit will not hurt them, but can be messy on floors, and not good if they lick too much off feet.

Lock the doggie door at night, and turn off any lights near it.  Snake is likely coming to collect toads which are attracted to bugs which are attracted to light - mother nature's design, I don't care for it as I like toads, but there it is.

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@Drythe   Thank you for the additional info. Will look into it. I’m not fond of any critters. 

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I once took a toad away from a Copperhead, but then, I am an idiot.

Thanks for not killing Mr. NoLegs.  He's part of the plan, but surely he didn't have to be so UGLY!

[Mj12]

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@fourpaws56 wrote:

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@Shanus wrote:

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@fourpaws56 wrote:

@Shanus   thanks for posting, we can never be to careful Did you see my thread in the garden forum?  rattle-snake in my yard...scarey!

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@fourpaws56  Not sure I’d be as brave w/ a rattler. 

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I had to kill it,,,I have grandkids...I check for snakes everyday ..

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@fourpaws56 good for you for protecting them.  My husband has had to do the same with a few snakes and a mole (sp?) that got into our fenced-in backyard and went for our dog. 

[Mj12]

Has anyone considered the rattlesnake vaccine for your dog?  There is a discussion about how effective it is, but it's good to know about.