Snakes in the garage

[OldDave]

I was just reading the thread about screens for your garage and someone said, "snakes in your garage are just a fact of life." It got me to wondering.

Just how common is it to get snakes into your garage, or anywhere else you might be around the house? Does it happen more near water or wildlife areas? Are there areas to live to avoid them?

I believe Florida is the only state in the nation with all four posionous types of snakes. So for those of you who have reptilian visitors, how often are they posionous and do you know any who has been injured or their pets injured.

Thanks. (If you cannot tell, I hate snakes.) And I will personally bite the first person who tells me they are more afraid of me than I am of them.

[graciegirl]

I have NEVER seen a snake here in five years and I am danged hoping it continues just that way.

[OldDave]

Gracie, do you live near a water feature or wild area?

[graciegirl]

Gracie, do you live near a water feature or wild area?

Laurel Valley is a small village of 53 homes on 466 backed on two sides by Palmer golf course and in the back by a large wetland area.

Helene said she saw a small snake slither across the front sidewalk one day on her way to pick up the mail.

[Bogie Shooter]

I chased the second one, this fall, from my garage just today. Not sure what species it was but................it was mad when the broom moved it out. Didn't kill it because I need a skeeter/bug eater.
Live about 100 yds from wetland.

[pooh]

I live in Caroline and I have never seen a live snake in my yard.....however I have seen their shed skins. Traveling over the landscape rocks in the planting areas around the house probably helps them shed their old "skins." When we had our house painted a few years ago, the painter told us he removed three snakes as he was working. He just lifted them up with his painting pole and placed them in some landscaping along the cart path. None of the snakes in the yard were poisonous, but still, I stay away from them. In this state one must remember this saying....Never put your hands where you eyes can't see. Actually we lived by that motto in CA, too....lots of rattlesnakes. Honestly I'm more concerned with anoles coming in the house...the little beasties enjoy the warmth when it's chilly outside. Problem is, they can't seem to find their way back out. I've found a few crenated ones in the house...poor things. Still, the garage door screens will keep creatures from using your house as a hang out.

[John_W]

We moved into a new CYV in Tamarind Grove near Southern Star Executive about 18 months ago. We have to do the laundry in the garage, so I was already considering a screen for keeping the garage cooler. However, two months after we moved in, one of my neighbors found a rattlesnake in his garage. Since Southern Star has a pond, on Odessa Circle which surrounds our villas an alligator took a stroll across several yards a couple of months later.

I got the screen that slides from side to side. Since I never take out my cart and car at the same time I didn't see any problem have the partial opening. Also horizontal screen is half the price of an electric vertical screen and I often work in my yard, which means I can go in and out through one three foot section and close it behind me. The electric screen you'll end up leaving up while outside working and pests can enter when you're not aware.

http://imageshack.us/a/img854/7888/screenveq.jpg


.

[shcisamax]

John, I really like your screens. Thanks for posting. Who did them?

[Golfingnut]

The only way you can get snakes in the garage are to have food for them like mice in there. Keep your garage clean and uncluttered and you will not have mice nor snakes.

[Bobcuse]

I live near a large golf course pond (we back up to the golf course) and have never seen a snake. We have the same screens John W has (above post) and in 10 years in TV have never had a critter inside our garage other than a gecko occasionally if I leave the screen open when I take the dog out. Highly recommend these screens with solar white screen to keep garage cooler and private from outside unless you have the garage light on. Just-In-Time does a great job for a very reasonable price.

[blaZen]

Have seen several over the years. They, like us, like shade. Would not be all that concerned unless there is a freezer or refrigerator in the garage. Moth balls usually keeps them away.........Moth balls will kill a pet.

[Bogie Shooter]

The only way you can get snakes in the garage are to have food for them like mice in there. Keep your garage clean and uncluttered and you will not have mice nor snakes.

No food, clean and uncluttered..................still had snake. I think he came looking for a warm place to curl up.

[buggyone]

I have seen a few Eastern Ribbon snakes and Garter snakes in my yard here in The Villages. Small things around 18 inches long. I also do have a resident Black Racer in the vicinity of my air conditioner unit. He is around 5 feet long and a beautiful snake. I was surprised by coming face-to-face (literally) with a Pine snake a couple of months ago while I was picking catapillars off my passion flower vine. I guess he was after the lizards (anoles) who were also after the catapillars.

[ajbrown]

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/DSC00293.jpg

This is a picture that has been on TOTV before, but fits nicely here....

[OldDave]

You know the biggest problem for most of us, beyond the obviously irrational fear, is that other than perhaps a rattlesnake or a coral snake, I wouldn't know one from another.

It's kind of like picking wild mushrooms. It's fine, if you really, really, REALLY know what you're doing....otherwise......

Thanks for the responses. It does sound a bit like further from water is helpful. Of course being far from water here is about like trying to avoid sand in the desert.

Thanks again all.

Dave

[John_W]

John, I really like your screens. Thanks for posting. Who did them?

The installer was All Around Aluminum, I believe they're in Oxford and they advertise in the Sun Newspaper. I just got their phone number from a neighbor, I was the third on my street to use them and a fourth neighbor is using them right now.

Even though these CYV's are all standard 12' doors, they'll come out and measure to get the exact fit. It was about three weeks total from the time I called them to the installation, costs $850. You'll find that many times one subcontractor will come into a neighborhood and through word-of-mouth everybody else ends up using them.




.

[NotGolfer]

The installer was All Around Aluminum, I believe they're in Oxford and they advertise in the Sun Newspaper. I just got their phone number from a neighbor, I was the third on my street to use them and a fourth neighbor is using them right now.

Even though these CYV's are all standard 12' doors, they'll come out and measure to get the exact fit. It was about three weeks total from the time I called them to the installation, costs $850. You'll find that many times one subcontractor will come into a neighborhood and through word-of-mouth everybody else ends up using them.




.


Think you hit the wrong thread here! That being said....the photo with the snake coiled in amongst the batteries....GAH!!!! I hate, hate, hate snakes! I know it's an irrational fear but I've hated them since I can remember! Don't care if it's harmless or not...they're just plain creepy to me (no pun intended).

[Cisco Kid]

So what do you guys do with them?
Move them to a new home.
Kill them.
I know a few guys up here that would eat them.

[buggyone]

So what do you guys do with them?
Move them to a new home.
Kill them.
I know a few guys up here that would eat them.

You leave them alone. Unless it is a venomous snake, it is a benefit to have a snake around.

[Cisco Kid]

You leave them alone. Unless it is a venomous snake, it is a benefit to have a snake around.
I am one of the few that like snakes.
But I would have someone move the bad ones to a better home.

[jerseyshorenomore]

what do you do with the black snakes that come into your yard?

[rubicon]

I have seen a number of snakes on the golf course. I never had a snake in m garage until about six months ago and it got his head caught in that sticky stuff Massey leaves in garages. I believe it came in because the garage door was left open during the night due to an emergency. By the way i have an overhead screen door that I like a lot

[NotGolfer]

I too have an irrational fear of snakes (and most any critter that slitters). I've had this fear since I was very small. I'd probably be hysterical "IF" we found a snake of any kind in our garage....worse "IF" it somehow got into the house! Thing is, there are snakes and critters no matter where one lives---be it in FL or "up north" or "out west". Guess we think about it a little more here.

[gomoho]

Mentioned this before, but while living in NM walked out of the house and stepped on a rattler that was snuggled up by the step into the garage. Fortunately I stepped on his neck and broke it or I surely would have been struck. Rattlers serve an important function in the west and we try not to kill them, but avoid them. Probably a good philosphy for TV as well. As creepy as they are they really do serve a purpose!:shrug:

[Mack184]

The boss let out a scream just this afternoon as one went slithering along the outside of the lanai screen. WE BOTH HATE SNAKES!! If I find it, it's dead. Can't stand snakes. There's a reason God portrays Satan as one.

[paulandjean]

The boss let out a scream just this afternoon as one went slithering along the outside of the lanai screen. WE BOTH HATE SNAKES!! If I find it, it's dead. Can't stand snakes. There's a reason God portrays Satan as one.

I am with You on this one. Killed my share here. Last two like my outdoor air conditioner ,but just a matter of time,they stuck their head up and wham.

[DougB]

I was just reading the thread about screens for your garage and someone said, "snakes in your garage are just a fact of life." It got me to wondering.

Just how common is it to get snakes into your garage, or anywhere else you might be around the house? Does it happen more near water or wildlife areas? Are there areas to live to avoid them?

I believe Florida is the only state in the nation with all four posionous types of snakes. So for those of you who have reptilian visitors, how often are they posionous and do you know any who has been injured or their pets injured.

Thanks. (If you cannot tell, I hate snakes.) And I will personally bite the first person who tells me they are more afraid of me than I am of them.

Shouldn't you be more worried about snakes in Texas????

[jagdl]

My in laws have a screen. They back up to the power line right of way. No ponds, no preserves. They have caught two snakes in their garage since January. They both got caught on the sticky pad the exterminator put at each end of the garage door opening.

[Trish Crocker]

I don't think I'm afraid of snakes..as long as I know they aren't poisonous. It's the thought of spiders that scares the hell out of me. Please, please don't tell me that I have to accept them..that they are just part of Florida life. I don't mind the little one's but the one's that need a shave can just stay away!!!

[LatDoc]

I am reminded of the incident with my seven-year-old grandson that happened two years ago:
We were looking for a ball that went into the woods.
He asked if there were snakes in those woods.
He told me he was afraid of snakes.
I asked if he hadn't hear the old saying about snakes being more afraid of us than we were of them.
He asked if there was "a new saying".
Obviously not consoled by my wisdom.

[PaPaLarry]

Most of the time, snakes are looking for food (lizards, birds, rats). That doesn't mean I'm not very aware of them in garage. I buy the flat sticky boards at Home depot, and put them around the garage. I catch a lot of small snakes and spiders etc. They work real good. Most garages have small holes for drainage in case of water bursts, flooding etc. (Thats where they come in when door is closed) I cut up small stickys just for those areas. When I catch one, I change and put a new one down. (P.S. I don't tell my Honey about them hehe)

[Mimivillager]

We had a 4 ft black snake right outside the laundry room door but in the garage on Tuesday. It was caught in the sticky box Massey put down. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door!

[duffysmom]

We had a 4 ft black snake right outside the laundry room door but in the garage on Tuesday. It was caught in the sticky box Massey put down. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door!

When a anole was stuck on the sticky stuff my bug guy told me to spray with Pam or oil and it will unstick itself. If it was a snake I would have to call my husband to do the spraying.:ohdear:

[gg]

I hate snakes and we have a lot. We don't live that close to a pond...maybe 8 houses away and on a curve...we have a golf course two houses away and have lots of black snakes and big. We have had them in our garage, our hose container, and wrapped around branches of shrubs. I scream everytime I see one and the neighbors recognize my snake scream. I have put snakes repellant and moth balls done and still have the snakes. The neighbors say they can see them crawling into my shrubs. We had a colorful one in our bluebird house..but it was small...not like these black snakes. I hate snakes and do not want them.

[NoMoSno]

We had a colorful one in our bluebird house..but it was small

Be careful with those...

Everyone should get a Florida snake book and learn to recognize the venomous from the harmless black racers.

[travelguy]

have been here 5 years, have installed extensive landscaping...lots of shrubs, groundcovers, and organic mulches....and have yet to see a single snake.

[bluedog103]

Anyone else remember the saying "red on yellow kills a fellow, red on black poison lack"? Some learn it as "red on black, friend of Jack". This is how we learned to identify a coral snake, which has a red band adjacent to a yellow band. Still good to know.

[barbara2811]

I was just reading the thread about screens for your garage and someone said, "snakes in your garage are just a fact of life." It got me to wondering.

Just how common is it to get snakes into your garage, or anywhere else you might be around the house? Does it happen more near water or wildlife areas? Are there areas to live to avoid them?

I believe Florida is the only state in the nation with all four posionous types of snakes. So for those of you who have reptilian visitors, how often are they posionous and do you know any who has been injured or their pets injured.

Thanks. (If you cannot tell, I hate snakes.) And I will personally bite the first person who tells me they are more afraid of me than I am of them.


Have lived here almost 16 years and have had only one snake in the garage
but that was one too many.

[sjdjmd]

I saw a small snake in the landscaping at a neighbor's house but had never seen one at ours...until one day I was watering plants...and eek!! A small snake was in our landscaping. I was so startled, I automatically began yelling and jumping up and down which definitely made him light out for parts unknown...I hope! I headed in one direction, he in the other. Haven't seen him since and hope he is well on his way to another place by now!

[gomoho]

have been here 5 years, have installed extensive landscaping...lots of shrubs, groundcovers, and organic mulches....and have yet to see a single snake.

They are hiding in your landscaping - watch out!!!:D

[elizabeth52]

Anyone else remember the saying "red on yellow kills a fellow, red on black poison lack"? Some learn it as "red on black, friend of Jack". This is how we learned to identify a coral snake, which has a red band adjacent to a yellow band. Still good to know.

Similar....Red next to black is a friend of Jack,, red next to yellow will kill a fellow.

[TraceyMooreRN]

My mom lives in Sunset Pointe- caught a snake in her garage on a sticky pad--it was a RATTLE Snake! Police came and removed-killed for her. She told him to take it with him--lol. He replied "I'm sorry ma'am we don't do that"--Can't blame her from trying.

Second snake- landed in her a/c outside and ruined all her coils when it caught in. She thought it was an intruder- or peeping tom. Called the neighbor (70+ year old female) came over armed with a large knife to fight off the attacker- only to find a snake in pieces!

The apple doesn't fall from the tree--I'm scared to death of snakes!! SCARED, I would scream so loud and probably would have to be sedated if one was found in my house--garage---would freak me out--but house--UMMM I would MOVE!

[Buckeyephan]

I've been reading these posts with fear. I am so afraid of snakes that I can't even look at a picture of one. Please tell me more about the sticky traps. Are they like the ones that are used for rats and mice? How many do we need? That is the biggest concern I have about moving to The Villages.

Barbara

[duffysmom]

Why do people leave their garage doors open? It's an invitation for critters to enter. :ohdear:

[gomoho]

I've been reading these posts with fear. I am so afraid of snakes that I can't even look at a picture of one. Please tell me more about the sticky traps. Are they like the ones that are used for rats and mice? How many do we need? That is the biggest concern I have about moving to The Villages.

Barbara

The sticky traps are actually put in the garage by the pest control companies to see what type of critters might be entering (they are looking for bugs, not snakes). Personally all I think they do is collect dirt!

We keep our garage door partially open to let the heat out - especially after we pull in with a hot car. Haven't had a problem in TV doing this (knock on wood).

[rubicon]

Playing golf on Bogart Executive course this AM and noticed a tri colored heron in a resident's back yard picking up a snake that looked to be four feet long and trying to swallow it

[TraceyMooreRN]

You can get the sticky traps at Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart--just about anywhere. They come in various sizes--They work good. We put them out and change them out monthly or more often. We try to keep our garage door shut--but there is a few times we left the house without putting down the garage door!

[MSG@TV]

I've been reading these posts with fear. I am so afraid of snakes that I can't even look at a picture of one. Please tell me more about the sticky traps. Are they like the ones that are used for rats and mice? How many do we need? That is the biggest concern I have about moving to The Villages.

Barbara

You and me both. If I have a close encounter with a snake, poisonous or not, I'm sure folks will hear me scream from where we're building south of 466A all the way north to the first sections!!!

[PaPaLarry]

They are called "Real Kill" Glue Boards. Traps & Kills household pests and snakes stick to them when they crawl over them. They really work good. Make sure you put board down flat and not in triangle shape as suggested on package. I put them around garage floor, and sure to have two by the door in garage going into house. When bringing groceries in etc, don't leave door open when going back and forth to unload groceries. These critters are fast!!!! hehehehe I've caught at least a dozen snakes (not too large) since I've been using these boards. Even when garage door shut, they can crawl their way in. (But they are small)

[BlueHeronFan]

Had a landscaper tell us that the "Black Racer" which is what most are referring to as "Black Snake" around here, keeps out Rattlesnakes. Don't know why, unless they eat the baby snakes or something. They are harmless otherwise.

[gjbl8114]

Ha Ha!!!! I like those who say they have never seen a snake in or near their yards. If this is true, it is only because you clearly don't spend time in your yard. I would bet that every neighborhood in TV's has snakes and yes, even in your garage - you just haven't seen them. We live in the Village of Poinciana at the beginning of a cul-de-sac which wraps around Jacaranda Golf Course (Cane Garden.) There are plenty of snakes in the yards, streets and just about anywhere you can imagine. If you are in the area, you will notice that most homes have garage screens. We don't have them for the sake of having them, we have them because there are lots of snakes.

If you've never seen one in your yard, I would encourage you to spend more than a few minutes a day in your yard. Don't forget where you are and what was here before your home was built. Good news though, moth balls will deter them from your surroundings. But, if you've seen snakeskin sheddings in your yard - guess what????? They're there - they love to live in your sprinkler water control well.

[rubicon]

gjlb8114: In all due respect and reverence that is a pretty broad and absolute statement you are making? Every always? Perhaps you meant to say likely and occassionally.

I would agree that given the last two mild winters that we most likely will see an increase in all sort of crittters as warm weather has such a profound affect on the libido.

Respectively

[The Buckeyes]

So what do you do with a snake stuck on a glue board? How do you get rid of it? Is there someone to call if you discover a snake? Will they capture it and take it from the premesis?

[Villager Dude]

I live near a large golf course pond (we back up to the golf course) and have never seen a snake. We have the same screens John W has (above post) and in 10 years in TV have never had a critter inside our garage other than a gecko occasionally if I leave the screen open when I take the dog out. Highly recommend these screens with solar white screen to keep garage cooler and private from outside unless you have the garage light on. Just-In-Time does a great job for a very reasonable price.

We recovered a snake skin in our back yard today in the early morning. I have seen several small , 2 feet, snakes here but never one that was 4 feet.

I would be happy to relocate it , the snake, to your house if I can catch it. I hear thay are great to get your yard rid of mosquitos .

[Diveda]

I was puttering in my backyard of my cyv when I heard a thump. My pooch and I turned to see a huge black snake. Thick as my arm and several feet long. My dog thankfully did not go after it. She looked at me as if to say "what the h--l is that. Took my breath away. Since then I have heard of other sightings, garage, golf course etc. I don't think it was poisenous..a black or indigo snake.

[DonH57]

So what do you do with a snake stuck on a glue board? How do you get rid of it? Is there someone to call if you discover a snake? Will they capture it and take it from the premesis?

We had that happen a few weeks ago when I left the screens open. A black racer about 4 foot long had it's head struck in the glueboard and I could see if I just threw it out it would starve to death so I dispatched it. About ten minutes later it's mate come looking for it and fled. I hateth hatd to do it but there is no body to call. This past november I had a 3 foot pygmy rattlesnake cross in front of my cart by the second hole on El Diablo. Messed him up bad. The ambassador came by later and said , " yeah. That's why we tell people to stay out the bushes. You won't hear them rattle either":shrug:

[Cathy H]

why are our villagers surprised to hear we have snakes around? does it imply we are not paradise below? I have seen snakes quite regularly; they like to hang in low bushes and will flee when approached. they are part of a balanced natural environment and are actually good to have in your garden as they keep the population of the small lizards down. Hubby "sweaty" always bumps our foundation bushes as soon as he enters the yard to avoid being surprised by one.

[kstew43]

we purchased a home 7 years ago on the golf course that backs to a river in the plantations. We have snakes all the time. I have tryed moth balls so much that my car smells. I line them in the garage door, a whole box, and then I put the rat sticky traps on the corners of the garage door.

This is our vacation home so we keep no food or much of anything in the garage.

We get 6-10 snakes a year stuck on the sticky pads. Sometimes even a mouse. They are almost always dead because we come up once a month or so. but we have had to kill one that followed us into the garage when we pulled in the car. We swept him out but he kept coming back in, so we had to do what we had to do. Seems to happen more in the colder months.

They also shed there skins behind the power box and cable wires on the side of the house. We live in a neighborhood of about 200 homes in the center of the plantations. Not as rural as you would expect.

The fact that they may or may not be the "good snakes" means nothing to me, a snake is a snake. They are usually between 2-3 feet long and as thin as your thumb, sometimes thinner, but to tell you the truth, I don't look, I will get anyone walking by to take the sticky pad and put it into the trash for me. I just can't seem to do it myself.

We have our main home in south florida and live on the water and have seen 2 snakes in the past 17 years. Thats the only downfall I have to moving to central florida, beside the heat.

[Indydealmaker]

we purchased a home 7 years ago on the golf course that backs to a river in the plantations. We have snakes all the time. I have tryed moth balls so much that my car smells. I line them in the garage door, a whole box, and then I put the rat sticky traps on the corners of the garage door.

This is our vacation home so we keep no food or much of anything in the garage.

We get 6-10 snakes a year stuck on the sticky pads. Sometimes even a mouse. They are almost always dead because we come up once a month or so. but we have had to kill one that followed us into the garage when we pulled in the car. We swept him out but he kept coming back in, so we had to do what we had to do. Seems to happen more in the colder months.

They also shed there skins behind the power box and cable wires on the side of the house. We live in a neighborhood of about 200 homes in the center of the plantations. Not as rural as you would expect.

The fact that they may or may not be the "good snakes" means nothing to me, a snake is a snake. They are usually between 2-3 feet long and as thin as your thumb, sometimes thinner, but to tell you the truth, I don't look, I will get anyone walking by to take the sticky pad and put it into the trash for me. I just can't seem to do it myself.

We have our main home in south florida and live on the water and have seen 2 snakes in the past 17 years. Thats the only downfall I have to moving to central florida, beside the heat.

This product works for some people:
Serpent Guard | Natural Snake Repellent (http://www.serpentguard.com/)

[Vicki.baker@aol.com]

I also live in TV in an neighborhood with no water or grassy area close by.....but, I have had 4 snakes in my yard, and one in my garage. I am very careful to keep my door down as much as possible....but one got in and stuck to the sticky pad I had on the floor. Luckily my yard men were here and when they heard me yelling.....they came and took it away. I too have had a rather large black snake living under my AC. I walk carefully in my yard and don't handle or get into my bushes.......they are out there and I HATE SNAKES. THAT IS A REAL DOWN SIDE FOR ME TO BEING IN Florida.

[DonH57]

I don't like snakes either because you can't hear them coming. I guess snakes in the garage is better than snakes on a plane. So so movie but great theme song and video

[maru8]

I have "bumped off" five snakes in over 7 years and still believe that the only good snake is a DEAD one! Ever been bitten by one? You'll think twice abouthow great they are to eat mice and rats. I don't have any mice or rats so I don't need them!!!!

[kstew43]

you know the fantastic courtyard villas, with the large windows and rocking chair porches.....i just love them.....

except for one big thing....

how could anyone, knowing the amount of snakes, keep there washer and dryer in the garage, and not just in the garage, right next to the door........

Imagine, atrium dells, 500k Wyndom???? model...., washer in garage......what are the builders and buyers thinking...

open the washer and out pops a snake......I would have a heart attack..on the spot....:loco:

and because of the photo with the large green snake in his golf cart, I open that seat every time I get in, just to be sure i'm alone.....

[theorem painter]

Oh great! Now every time I open the washer I think I will find a snake.

[gomoho]

I wouldn't advise the glue traps. We had one get stuck on a glue trap and wrap himself around a post in the garage. Husband had no choice but to hack him to death to release him. It was pretty disgusting.

[asianthree]

i noticed this post was started by old dave and was hoping he was in tv for another visit..sadly this was an old thread

[buggyone]

I have "bumped off" five snakes in over 7 years and still believe that the only good snake is a DEAD one! Ever been bitten by one? You'll think twice abouthow great they are to eat mice and rats. I don't have any mice or rats so I don't need them!!!!

Yes, I have been bitten by several snakes. All were non-venomous, of course. I did volunteer work at a nature center and did snake demonstration shows for kids. Sometimes those critters (the snakes, not the kids) are real quick and get a bite in but no problem.

[rhsgypsylady]

I put moth balls out to deter snakes. It works. Snake repellent at the stores have moth balls in them; however, moth balls are cheaper than the repellent and work.

[PaPaLarry]

I wouldn't advise the glue traps. We had one get stuck on a glue trap and wrap himself around a post in the garage. Husband had no choice but to hack him to death to release him. It was pretty disgusting.
I already have caught 3 snakes on glue boards in garage. I keep a few glue boards out in garage just to catch critters, including snakes.

[cabo35]

Playing golf on Bogart Executive course this AM and noticed a tri colored heron in a resident's back yard picking up a snake that looked to be four feet long and trying to swallow it

Last year we saw a great blue heron "woof" down a large black racer on the side of our home. He swallowed it head first. I'm glad humans are at the top of the food chain. Aren't we?


This video is not in our side yard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emB8U-dI-uY

[TheVillageChicken]

I put moth balls out to deter snakes. It works. Snake repellent at the stores have moth balls in them; however, moth balls are cheaper than the repellent and work.

If you put out moth balls and noticed a decline in snake sightings, it was a coincidence. I personally have seen them crawl right over moth balls, and there are many studies proving the ineffectiveness of not only moth balls but also commercial snake repellents. What might happen, however, is that the moth balls run off the snakes' food supply.

Back in Rooster Poot, I had a large speckled king snake take up residence on my property. After he arrived, I never saw another snake in my yard. He even took out the rattlers and copperheads.

[ladylake1]

I was going to post something about snakes as I just had three of them scoot away from me when I went out the front door. Knew there was one around as it was in the shade on the front porch but was surprised to see three of them!! Will try the moth balls next to the porch. I am NOT a snake lover so anything to keep them away is worth a shot.

[Nightengale212]

I am a TV wannabe and had no idea how prevalent the issue with snakes was in TV according to this thread. Guess I will have to start a novena now to St. Patrick to drive the snakes out of TV before I get there :)

[buggyone]

You do not have to be worried about snakes around here. The only venomous ones are water moccasins and pygmy rattlesnakes. The water moccasin will only be in or around the ponds. If your golf ball lands next to the pond, just be very careful about getting it.

The pygmy rattlesnake is very common in the tall grasses on golf courses or next to ponds or marshes. It is not a deadly bite but will sure enough put you in a whole lot of pain and medical bills.

Coral snakes have been sighted in The Villages but quite rare.

Lots of black racers, king snakes, ribbon snakes, garter snakes, etc which are all GOOD to have around if you do not want the dreaded mice or palm rats in your attic or garage.

[44Ruger]

You do not have to be worried about snakes around here. The only venomous ones are water moccasins and pygmy rattlesnakes. The water moccasin will only be in or around the ponds. If your golf ball lands next to the pond, just be very careful about getting it.

The pygmy rattlesnake is very common in the tall grasses on golf courses or next to ponds or marshes. It is not a deadly bite but will sure enough put you in a whole lot of pain and medical bills.

Coral snakes have been sighted in The Villages but quite rare.

Lots of black racers, king snakes, ribbon snakes, garter snakes, etc which are all GOOD to have around if you do not want the dreaded mice or palm rats in your attic or garage.

I see one at my house I would call a corn snake. Very nice colors on it.

[buggyone]

"Lots of black racers, king snakes, ribbon snakes, garter snakes, etc which are all GOOD to have around if you do not want the dreaded mice or palm rats in your attic or garage."

"I saw one at my house I would call a corn snake. Very nice colors on it."

Yes, that is one of the "etc" non-venomous snakes. They are very pretty. I would always have one of them in the snake demonstration shows. I never got bit by a corn snake. The king snake and black racers were the biters for me.

[DougB]

Might find a lot more than snakes in your garage. My neighbor and I just caught an alligator in my other neighbors garage today. Debated on making a purse for my wife, but we caught it and relocated it to the preserve down the street.

[mtdjed]

Had a resident snake at our Lanai entrance with a home up under the siding. Would see him/her often as it was next to my grill. Tried several things to discourage it from sharing our residence including mothballs ,snake repellent etc. and he still resided at our home not paying any rent. Saw him once near the front of our home and I raced him back thinking I could block up his entrance. He got there first. Did not want to kill him but just evict him. Finally disappeared and I closed up his home. This lasted 6 months.

[fl boomer]

I have lived in FL for over 15 years now in several different locations, and trust me, there can be snakes almost anywhere. I currently live north of 466 and it is very common to have Black racers in your yard, under the pad of your A/C, etc. These are the so called "good snakes" in FL. You could also have pygmy rattlesnakes, water moccasins, & even coral snakes. Do not work in your flower or landscape beds without proper footwear on, because they can be hiding in your beds. I recently went out to fertilize my rose bushes, and under one of them was a baby snake (over 1 foot long), & we killed it because it was "splotchy" on it's back & was DEFINITELY not a black racer.
ALWAYS watch where you're walking because if there aren't snakes, those nasty fire ants could be in the area.

[elbear]

yes, snakes are in florida. When I lived closer to water there were quite a few. In fact, in the two years i was there, I saw more snakes than in my entire lifetime but most were rat snakes, harmless but can grow quite large...think 6-7'. Snakes don't like you as much as you don't like them. i saw a hawk and not a big one pick one up by the head and fly off with it...now that is not something you see every day! I used to be deadly afraid of them but after seeing so many, I'm cured. Screen your garage, front entrance and lanai. You may never see one but you will feel better.



I was just reading the thread about screens for your garage and someone said, "snakes in your garage are just a fact of life." It got me to wondering.

Just how common is it to get snakes into your garage, or anywhere else you might be around the house? Does it happen more near water or wildlife areas? Are there areas to live to avoid them?

I believe Florida is the only state in the nation with all four posionous types of snakes. So for those of you who have reptilian visitors, how often are they posionous and do you know any who has been injured or their pets injured.

Thanks. (If you cannot tell, I hate snakes.) And I will personally bite the first person who tells me they are more afraid of me than I am of them.

[Alaskarose]

Snakes slither here and there looking for food. I have had 3 in my garage over the yrs. They are all eager to leave so I just stay calm and wait a bit. I see snakes often. I live on a very big wetland (swamp in the old days).