Winter Storage

[dickfoster]

No one has mentioned snakes yet. Not poisonous ones dangerous to humans but there are many common snakes that will wreak havoc on rodent populations. My grandad used to catch and release blacksnakes in his barns, corn cribs etc. They can get to pretty much anywhere a mouse can go.

 

[holeycow]

Now there's an interesting idea.

Though they are probably not as friendly as weasels.

 

[dickfoster]

Now there's an interesting idea.

Though they are probably not as friendly as weasels.

Most snakes I've seen are pretty shy. Except for a water moccasin maybe but I'm excluding those.

 

[holeycow]

Water Moccasin. Or Cottonmouth? I think:

I am travelling a low-traffic highway in Louisiana in 1990.

Ahead of me I see a large snake crossing the pavement. This was the biggest snake I had ever seen. Roughly 6 feet long and 4 inches around or so.

It disappears into the woods just as I come to a stop. I'm gonna check this out! I get to the edge of woods. Trying to peer in I realize that the bush is just too thick to find anything in there. I left begrudgingly.

I stopped at the next town to buy some chain lube for my bike. I mentioned the cool snake to the locals at the bike shop:

Apparently the Big Black Snake I saw was a water moccasin. Apparently it was a big one. Apparently they are territorial and will chase you down and kill you. Apparently I am an idiot and had a near-death experience and didn't know it. Thank God for impenetrable bush. Lol.

I will continue to pick up every garter snake I find. But I have been way, way more careful when being outa my 'hood regarding local wildlife.

 

[dickfoster]

Water Moccasin. Or Cottonmouth? I think:

I am travelling a low-traffic highway in Louisiana in 1990.

Ahead of me I see a large snake crossing the pavement. This was the biggest snake I had ever seen. Roughly 6 feet long and 4 inches around or so.

It disappears into the woods just as I come to a stop. I'm gonna check this out! I get to the edge of woods. Trying to peer in I realize that the bush is just too thick to find anything in there. I left begrudgingly.

I stopped at the next town to buy some chain lube for my bike. I mentioned the cool snake to the locals at the bike shop:

Apparently the Big Black Snake I saw was a water moccasin. Apparently it was a big one. Apparently they are territorial and will chase you down and kill you. Apparently I am an idiot and had a near-death experience and didn't know it. Thank God for impenetrable bush. Lol.

I will continue to pick up every garter snake I find. But I have been way, way more careful when being outa my 'hood regarding local wildlife.

We called them by either name where I once lived in SC. By any name, a curious if not downright mean and bad tempered snake. As far as big uns, you should see some of the eastern diamond backs they grow in FL. Thems some really big azz snakes but I wouldn't wanna try putting one of em in my barn.

 

[1stDeuce]

Plus he said winter... Don't most snakes hibernate most of the winter? I know, always raining on the parade...

 

[newbury]

I've got cats from neighbors, snakes and put down poison cubes.
My workshops

have enough holes in them that I can't expect to keep mice or snakes out.

I couldn't identify the snake from the skin but I've found skins like this in the "attic" above the apartment in the middle workshop.

The only live snakes I've seen around are copperheads.

When I first started cleaning out the pig pile left by the previous owner (who used one of the sheds as a beer party shed in a dry county) I had a definite mouse house. But after ensuring there is no unsealed food, repeated poisonings, cats, and snakes now I rarely see a poison bait gnawed on.

 

[msb1766]

I buy a pain of bait chunks fro tractor supply, I put them around my outbuildings.
Tomcat All-Weather Bait Chunx, 9 lb. Pail of 1 oz. Chunx - For Life Out Here

 

[cold1313]

I buy a pain of bait chunks fro tractor supply, I put them around my outbuildings.
Tomcat All-Weather Bait Chunx, 9 lb. Pail of 1 oz. Chunx - For Life Out Here

That's exactly what I keep out in the barn. Only a 30'x30' barn and it's pretty well stocked with those.

 

[dickfoster]

I buy a pain of bait chunks fro tractor supply, I put them around my outbuildings.
Tomcat All-Weather Bait Chunx, 9 lb. Pail of 1 oz. Chunx - For Life Out Here

As far as poison bait I think Just One Bite is probably the most effective. The Decon stuff is like candy to them. At least it is to wood rats.