I keep my tractor covered by a tarp in the woods of my hunting property. Over the years, I've seen several snake skins woven around implements and the tractor itself. This year, I've had two cases of king snakes being in the tractor when I've uncovered it. The first was a very large king snake (behind the instrument cluster) that I convinced to leave. Yesterday, another slightly smaller king was just under the seat when I uncovered the tractor. He worked his way behind a panel under the seat near the transmission. After trying to dislodge him, I just gave up and started mowing. After about an hour, it dropped to the ground and into the bush hog blades. The tractor is usually kept in deep woods to protect it from two-legged snakes. Any ideas on how to make the tractor less attractive to the real thing? Thanks!
Snakes love my tractor!
- Thread starter A72777
- Start date
You are actually VERY blessed. The tarp-covered tractor is a wonderful environment for mice. Mice that will gleefully chew through all your wiring. The reason that the snakes have moved in is that they LOVE to eat the mice. It sounds like you have a perfect natural balance of just enough snakes to keep the mouse population at near zero. King snakes and Rat snakes are the very BEST. Non-poisonous and will bother very little except the mice. Now if you start to raise chickens, they can be a problem!
LindenBruce
Gold Member
I could use some King Snakes. Haven't seen a rattler in like four years around my house, but I could always use more Kings. Give them my address and maybe they will move down the hill to my place (LOL). They are a very beneficial species, so please try not to hurt them. B.
Gary Fowler
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2008
- Messages
- 11,998
- Location
- Bismarck Arkansas
- Tractor
- 2009 Kubota RTV 900, 2009 Kubota B26 TLB & 2010 model LS P7010
Neighbor lady called me one night to come kill some snakes by her garage. When I got there, I found two king snakes all entwined behind a sheet of floor plate that was leaned against the wall (breeding I suspect). I caught them and put them both in a 5 gallon bucket and carried them down the road 1/4 mile or so and put them out in the road ditch.
Man do they stink when they are bothered. I had to soap up several times to get the stink off my hands.
Man do they stink when they are bothered. I had to soap up several times to get the stink off my hands.
Tigershark
Silver Member
I hate snakes but I let the King snakes live because they eat the bad ones. I have seen some sort of snake repellant pellets you can buy at Rural King or TS but I would probably get some mouse repellant as well if you remove the snakes those bastards are going to get in and really do some damage on your tractor.
jaxs
Elite Member
+1 on giving king and rat snakes(aka chicken snake around here) a pass and let them do what they do best,eat rats and mice. I also recommend owl boxes around the place unless you have hollow trees. If you break up owl pellets they are full of skulls as proof they catch lots of rats and mice.
PILOON
Super Star Member
While on the topic of snakes---------
Back then I was very into flying , bird nests under the aircraft cowling was a constant problem.
To deter birds nesting we found that a toy store rubber snake left on the aircraft cowling did the trick.
So snakes are not all that bad!
Back then I was very into flying , bird nests under the aircraft cowling was a constant problem.
To deter birds nesting we found that a toy store rubber snake left on the aircraft cowling did the trick.
So snakes are not all that bad!
opie1988
Bronze Member
