Rattlesnakes

Oregon Julie · #1 03/31/07, 02:15 AM

So DH and I are going to look at a property for sale on Saturday in an area which does have rattlesnakes. I grew up in California and spent lots of time in rural settings that had rattlesnakes, although not a lot of them (thankfully). Anyway I am wondering what suggestions some of you might have about keeping us and our dogs and livestock safe from the dang things.

The ranch I worked at after I got out of high school lost a mare to one, bit her in the muzzle. I would like to keep my animals as safe as possible so any suggestions for keeping a place a rattlesnake free zone are appreciated.

Junkmanme · #2 03/31/07, 02:32 AM

I've heard that "Bull snakes" will "run-off" and/or kill rattlesnakes. (Maybe so). Perhaps you could get some bull-snakes? (They aren't poisonous and are good "mousers".)(unfortunately, they look a lot like a diamond-back rattlesnake.)

Matt-AL · #3 03/31/07, 07:57 AM

I think the best thing you can do to reduce snake population is to keep the grass and weeds cut short, get rid of any brush piles or wood piles and remove their food supply (ie mice). Of course, kill every one you come in contact with on your land.

vicker · #4 03/31/07, 08:52 AM

Learn to live with them. They are there. If your animals get bit and survive (they usually do) they won't fool with them the next time. Reducing habitat and food supply will help, but you'll still have snakes. You can't kill them all.
A friend told me once that a wise man walks with his head bowed because he is humble. I said no, a wise man walks with his head bowed because he is watching where he is putting his feet. Watch where you put your feet and hands. Do not put them in dark cool places or places where you can't see.

Rory · #5 03/31/07, 09:02 AM

Keeping the brush/grass/weeds down is a big plus. We moved from an area that had lots of them, and overall they don't like a lot of traffic in an area...chickens? I've heard some guineas and turkeys get quite aggressive towards them. Bull snakes do keep them down and are good mousers as said above, but they can bite too. I loved seeing bullsnakes in the pasture, though!

I'd like to say that they're not really a big deal, but they are a threat. You learn to live with it. We had one in the weeds by our dog's house once and discovered it while weed-eating. The dog was acting weird, but we thought it was from the weed-eater and my cousin had ear protectors on so couldn't hear anything and didn't see it until it skedaddled. They caught and killed it, which is what a lot of people do who farm/ranch in rattlesnake areas.

I'd ask people in the area you're thinking of buying what they do for rattlesnakes. How do they protect their livestock? Keep us posted, please.

Junkmanme · #6 03/31/07, 09:06 AM

I saw a very funny video of a rabbit chasing a rattlesnake up a tree! It may have been somewhere here on Homesteading Today. VERY ENTERTAINING!

"Good Rabbit! Have a fresh carrot!"

BeckyW · #7 03/31/07, 09:17 AM

We lived in the mountains of central California (high desert) for years - prime rattlesnake country. First, keep all your weeds mowed/wacked - that was both for fire prevention and snakes. Second, cultivate wherever you can. Snakes don't like to be disturbed and they really do stay away from active areas whenever they can. We had a king snake that occasionally dropped by our property and our neighbor's (covering about an acre). We always told it that it was a nice snake and to stop in anytime!
Our children were older grade school through high school and were snake savvy. Train your children what NOT to do and what to do.
It seemed the time we'd see rattlers was after chilly weather and they'd be in the road sunning themselves. Friends on a ranch used to kill several a year - but then ranches always seem to have a lot of open space with untilled land.
We never saw a rattler on our property (of course that doesn't mean there was never one there!) We had cats so the mouse/gopher population was close to extinction on our land. We never had trouble with snakes and cats - it was the bobcats and mountain lions that we had to protect animals from.
BW

cowgirlone · #8 03/31/07, 09:42 AM

Here is a link from an earlier discussion about them. http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthr...t=rattlesnakes

Hope this helps!

danoon · #9 03/31/07, 09:53 AM

S&W 38 cal. with shotshells. I killed over 30 rattlers and cotton mouths in the first year of our back woods living. We are in the city now and have copperheads at the back door at night but its against the law to use a firearm in the city so I have a sword at the ready. You pets may live but vet bills get really expensive.

halfpint · #10 03/31/07, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkmanme

I saw a very funny video of a rabbit chasing a rattlesnake up a tree! It may have been somewhere here on Homesteading Today. VERY ENTERTAINING!

"Good Rabbit! Have a fresh carrot!"

Are you thinking of this one?

I didn't think that was a rattlesnake though.

We find dead snakes occasionally that the chickens have killed, but not any poisonous ones yet.
Dawn

big rockpile · #11 03/31/07, 08:18 PM

Best thing is to keep stuff cut back.But that doen't always help.I've had two Houses with them.

On the place we're living now,when they got real bad in the House DW put out Mothballs.Plus my Jack Russell will kill any Snake so fast it isn't funny.Bad thing is he is bad about digging them out.

big rockpile

bill not in oh · #12 03/31/07, 10:21 PM

Eat 'em... Fry 'em like chicken... Yummm...

Junkmanme · #13 03/31/07, 10:36 PM

Never ate rattlesnake.........

BUT.......Always wanted to......

maybe just a "revenge syndrome".....Ha-Ha!

HATE those "brats"!!!

In-laws had a "collie" that killed ALL snakes!
She had been bitten by a rattler and survived.

If it is possible, I think she hated rattlesnakes more than I do......(IF that is possible!)

Keep your snakes.........until one of those cold-blooded bastards gets even and BITES you!

You read about some "big-city dummy" getting "done-in" by his "pet" just about every day!

12 gauge is very efficient!
Junkmanme

fixer1958 · #14 03/31/07, 10:41 PM

I've seen a few around here over the years. I keep the grass mowed down around the house so they won't have any cover.
Watch where you put your feet in the weeds or brush.
The only problem I have now is copperheads in the outbuildings.
I don't put my hands anywhere I don't look first.
Copperheads make me more nervous than rattlers.
Rattlers give a warning.

Junkmanme · #15 03/31/07, 11:06 PM

NEVER been around "Copperheads", although my Father ( from Carolina) told me about them.

just kill 'em.......

With ANY LUCK.....we can make them "extinct"......

YOU don't have to like my attitude!

and you are WELCOME to your differing opinion........

TxGypsy · #16 04/01/07, 01:32 AM

I really can't believe all the people that are advising to kill the snakes!!! Are ya'll rat lovers or something? Wish I had more snakes(lol till I get my chickens to laying then I'll be thinking vile things about chicken snakes). Rattlesnakes are gorgeous(see picture)! I grew up in the country so snakes just aren't a big deal. You learn to watch for them. Keep brush and tall grass under control so you can see snakes....helps with bugs too.

Thread drift warning: seems like lately I keep running into folks that want to kill anything that moves

Are we having a full moon year or something? Got some fool up the road that is out to exterminate all the coyotes.....doggone jackrabbits are already taking over. Just don't make sense.

Rattlesnakes - Homesteading Questions