Is there such a thing as an effective snake repellent?

[parallel]

If so what is it and where can I get it? I will be moving to a new house on a little over a half acre lot that borders the woods in a secluded subdivision (a sugar cane field is on the other side of the woods). I have been warned by the neighbors to be aware of cottonmouth snakes that sometimes get into the yards in the area. I have a three year old boy who, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is unafraid of snakes. I will be doing everything I can think of to keep the snakes away while at the same time try to teach my boy that he can't go near snakes (at least until he's old enough to know which ones are which). I have heard things like put a lime barrier down along the fence line, but I'm unsure if that works or is just a wives tale. Of course I will keep the grass cut low and avoid creating areas to make them feel at home, but I need all the info I can get.

 

[Spotteddog]

Willy Peter round.
Repeat as needed.

 

[7.62foryou]

.357 mag shotshells have always repelled 'em when I used 'em.

 

[mwtdvm]

I have a three year old boy who, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is unafraid of snakes.

He's NORMAL!!
Children learn from their environment. He's had nothing to prejudice him against those cold legless critters. As a former three year old who has grown up without a fear of snakes, I attribute it to my parents who were sensible about them. I also learned by 6 what was venomous and what was not. I would worry more about an unsupervised three year old outside being snatched by a member of our species.

I have been warned by the neighbors to be aware of cottonmouth snakes that sometimes get into the yards in the area.

Cottonmouths live in an aquatic/semiaquatic environment. You don't mention creeks, ponds or swamps in your neighborhood. And if there was a close examination made of the snakes killed by the neighbors, most if not all would be nonvenomous. If I were you, I'd get a bunch of king snakes and turn them loose. They not only eat rodents but also other snakes, reducing your threat risk. Of course you have to educate your neighbors as to the benefits of having them in residence.

 

[BarbC]

As a former three year old who has grown up without a fear of snakes, I attribute it to my parents who were sensible about them. I also learned by 6 what was venomous and what was not.

So tell us about the learning curve between the ages of 3 and 6.

I've never been afraid of snakes, although my mother is rabidly phobic. I credit her with not passing that fear on (spiders are bad enough).

Teach your child that all wild creatures should not be approached, venomous or not, because they will all bite or sting to protect themselves.

If he'd like to get up close to a snake, take him to a pet store with tame ones.

 

[Stevens]

I second the opinions of MWTDVM and Barb my back yard butts up to about 50,000 acres of swamp we find snakes in the yard all the time and once in a while in the house. I have never seen a poisonous one in the yard or house yet.
lots of people around here think any dark snake is a Cottonmouth, usually they wind up being harmless mud snakes.
Snakes can be beneficial keeping rats and mice away. I have lived next to sugar cane fields for many years, Guess What, when the sugar cane is harvested and the fields burned all the mice living there will be looking for a nice place to live (like your house). Maybe a few king or rat snakes, both are non poisonous, hanging around will keep them away.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries have some good posters and information on ID'ing local snakes. By learning which is which you can keep the good ones around and get rid of the bad ones, if any.
Having said all that I have heard that mothballs help keep them away, my wife is scared of snakes she put mothballs in the flower beds. I have also seen snake repellent sold at Lowes
Good luck!
Steve

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I would hazard you will have more problems with copperheads than moccasins. The biggest problem with living around cane fields is when they harvest them, you are going to have a rat problem.
Keep the grass cut and avoid any kind of piles (brush-wood whatever) in the back yard. Also having a dog helps- I actually live in town but about 4 houses from Bayou teche and occasionally we get a non venomous snake in the yard-Dog lets us know pretty quick, wife goes apesh!t, I go out and throw it over the fence and we're back to normal

 

[foolproofoak]

Old timers say that sulfur keeps snakes away. I don't know how true that is or exactly where to find sulfur, but Lowe's sells a repellent caled snake away that i think contains sulfur along with other stuff.

 

[animalmother]

357 Mag or larger CCI shotshells or a 410 GA shotgun.

 

[riptrack44]

Most, if not all venomous snakes, will not attack humans unless provoked or surprised. Snakes use their venom for food gathering. There have even been cases where venomous snakes have bitten and not passed any venom. Their poison sacs just don't fill right back up. This is by no means saying they don't command respect and distance. If one makes noise while outside, the chances of seeing one is remote. They're actually more afraid of you than you are of them. Hollywierd perpetuates the myth they hunt humans and enjoy biting them. Teach your child that all wild or domestic animals deserve respect and distance.

 

[HUGHP]

Is it true that you have to actually step on a copperhead to provoke them to bite?

 

[oldRoger]

We have a resident Indigo Snake, bless his/her heart.
The neighbors have Eastern Diamondbacks and Pigmy Rattlers; we have “old blue”. My wife feeds the Squirrels and I the Birds, result Rats under the feeders, they keep “old blue” here, he /she does not like competition so he eats them.

 

[Racegunner]

I have a three year old boy who, for reasons beyond my comprehension, is unafraid of snakes.

That's just called "survival instinct." Be kind to your childern ... someday they will have to change your diapers.

 

[Airpark]

Ripptrak44,

There have even been cases where venomous snakes have bitten and not passed any venom

Just FYI, For reasons unknown to modern science aad technology, three out of five time Cobras do not pass venom. Has long been a mystery as to why.

And; since 1956 they have been trying to duplicate the Tiger Snake's immune system. To do so means we could snake proof the world. The Tiger Snake, very deadly itself, is not affected by any other snake venom. So far the only one we know of that is immune to all others.

 

[Jeb Stonewall]

I was going to make some wise ass remarks at first till I seen you were worried about the 3 year old.
So the best protection against snakes is a ---DOG---
And two dogs is better than one!
We have two beagles.
Beagles will patrol the yard constantly .
And a terrior -JACK RUSSEL'S- is a deadly vermin killer!
We had a Rott that would catch black snakes 3'-4' long and shake his head with them in his mouth where it looked like he was beating himself with a whip!
After they were dead he would stand on them while ripping them to shreds.
The main thing is be careful.
A snake won't bite unprovoked.
The same as a bee won't sting you without reason.
Don't have anything in your yard that invites a snake to take up homesteading.
Don't reach your hand into anything you can't see.
And don't step over anything you can't see where you are going to plant your foot.

 

[straightshooter1]

The answer to one poster's question about copperheads, do "... you have to actually step on them..." before they bite? is ALMOST a yes.

But not always. I have never seen nor heard of one that was "aggressive" to the point of attacking and everyone who has been bitten that I am aware of was in very close proximity to the snake so ALMOST stepping or sitting or touching it before being bitten.

OTOH, I very much disagree with the poster who says "A snake won't bite unprovoked."

Well, maybe that IS strictly true, since I have seen Water Mocs attack for no reason I could discern except I was in the general area. (So, I guess they were provoked about that).

Mocs will come at you, will try to strike you and often strike more than once even if their victim is bitten on the first strike.

Rattlesnakes are sometimes unpredictable-a kid was just bitten near a ball field when he reached down to pick up a ball by a Pygmy Rattler (which he didn't see). But, usually, they try to get away.

But, once in a while-they will just lay there and, if you get too close-OOOPS!

Coral snakes are really rarely seen here in Florida, though a lot of other snakes, thought to be Corals, are butchered. They pose little danger unless they can get their little itty bitty mouths on your finger (a child's) or between them in the web of your fingers or thumb. They are very shy.

I recall only seeing three in the wild. And, I misspent much of my youth and early adult life in and around the woods and swamps of Florida. The ones I saw were in residential areas, in/around old sheds.

But, Mocs, well, if I never see another that will suit me fine. They are the only snakes that I am really afraid of.

That nasty, white mouth, if you see it, is a sure sign you are in for some serious trouble. I recommend a shotgun!

But, I have several non-poisonous snakes in or near my yard and I just let them alone. They have a good purpose in ridding the neighborhood of rats and other vermin.

Bob

 

[Milton]

straightshooter1 : Thank you for making that observation concerning cotton mouths or water moccasins!! They will attack you unprovoked!! I have been around various snakes all my life in Alabama and though some will warn you and some you must really provoke as they want to get away from you, it aint so with moccasins!!I have been in situations where these rascals have attacked me repeatedly and the attack was unprovoked!
Just get you a good snake dog,several have been mentioned.

 

[mississippi revolverman]

Milton and Strightshooter I agree 100% on the Cotton mouth. I remember has a kid shooting at one with a 22 pistol swiming while were were in a boat fishing. All I did was piss him off and he tried to get into the boat. My Dad wacked him in the head with the boat paddle

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

Buy a few cans of Wasp & Hornet spray (sprays up to 20') at Wal-Mart or Home Depot for about $3 a can. May kill the snake or it will relocate. This stuff will take care of bats, red squirrels etc...nasty stuff for the critters!

 

[delta-419]

In the last 10 days I have killed 3 diamond backs in and around my place. One, a 3 footer, faced off with my German Sheperd after sneaking up on us while we were enjoying a cool brew on the patio. My wife and the dog saw the snake at the same time, wife went south, dog went into attack mode, I went for a gun. Snake coiled up and struck at "Max", he dodged the strike, I could not get a clear shot for fear of hitting the dog. Opted for a nearby flat shovel and dispatched the serpent. Killed the other two in the driveway with the car. We have a lot of snakes, most are harmless black snakes and we don't pay any attention to them. One fell out of a tree and hit my son on the shoulder while we were clearing brush. He was dancing around a bit, also had one fall out of the grape arbor over our patio where we drink our morning coffee. Didn't know I could move so fast at 68. I miss Alaska.