Copperheads in they yard

[Wormyone]

So a few weeks ago I found two copperheads tangled in some netting in my back yard 1 one week and another a few weeks later. I also like most of you keep my wood staked in the back. My concern is that they may make their way to the pile and "settle" in. My main concern is keeping everyone safe mainly my son. I have not seen any snakes at Ll this summer and just the 2 a few weeks ago. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deter/repel them...Thanks!

 

[Byrond]

Couple of game hens

 

[chazcarr]

I'm not sure how to keep them out, but in my stacks there have always been a few snakes. Usually when I need the wood it is cold enough that they are not moving very fast if at all. I am aware of it and always grab from the top of the wood. I have seen a lot of creatures: mice, rats, skunks, snakes, and huge spiders.

Recently a new neighbors cat has been basically living around my woodpiles. I hope it is doing some free extermination work for me.

 

[Kelvin 506]

I'm not sure how to keep them out, but in my stacks there have always been a few snakes. Usually when I need the wood it is cold enough that they are not moving very fast if at all. I am aware of it and always grab from the top of the wood. I have seen a lot of creatures: mice, rats, skunks, snakes, and huge spiders.

Recently a new neighbors cat has been basically living around my woodpiles. I hope it is doing some free extermination work for me.

Seriously??
I just moved from NH to MA. I'm hoping the 'snakes in the wood pile' problem only goes as far north as CT. Though I've seen probably 50-100 snakes this past summer. Fortunately they aren't the poisonous type but the day I grab for a log and pull out a snake I'm going back to burning oil! I'm going to start using the petzl headlamp when I grab wood from the pile at night.
OP: please, no pics!

 

[Jasper]

Other than watching where you put your hands as Chazcarr I don't know of a way to deter them. I welcome a black or king snake however. My stacks are overrun with chipmunks this year. I don't just mean a dozen I mean several dozen. They are making their way to the garage and house. Probably going to do some backyard air rifle sniping with my 11 year old nephew for the next few weeks.

 

[weatherguy]

My stacks used to be overrun with chipmunks and mice, then the snakes moved in my cat started hanging around the pile, haven't seen any vermin but still find nests when I go through my wood. The only snakes I've seen are garter and a ring neck.

 

[Applesister]

My sister puts mothballs in her stacks. Fake plastic owls on sticks. But shes trying to repel milk snakes.
We dont have any bad snakes here.

 

[Paulywalnut]

When you think about it, it's a nice place for any small critter to hang out. Small, warm, secluded little spots in a Sunny location with a nice breeze... Sounds good

 

[bassJAM]

I don't know what the temps are like in N Carolina, but way up north here in OH (lol) it's cool enough that any snakes are going to be moving pretty slow, and it's only going to get worse for them as winter creeps in.

 

[sportbikerider78]

So a few weeks ago I found two copperheads tangled in some netting in my back yard 1 one week and another a few weeks later. I also like most of you keep my wood staked in the back. My concern is that they may make their way to the pile and "settle" in. My main concern is keeping everyone safe mainly my son. I have not seen any snakes at Ll this summer and just the 2 a few weeks ago. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deter/repel them...Thanks!

A 410 shotgun with bird shot should work.

 

[Ralphie Boy]

I've found a few strategically placed, life like, rubber snakes keep the wood thieves out of my stacks. Scares the hell out of them!

 

[Thislilfishy]

Mothballs work well in enclosed spaces, and spread around the ground around your wood pile...they also burn really hot! Glad we have only one venomous snake up here that is pretty much extinct (massasauga rattler).

For the skunks, rabbits, squirrels, moles...my buddy sells these high power air rifles that are very quiet, about the sound of an air nailer:

Norica Black Eagle:



Ian

 

[tarzan]

Couple of game hens

Never new chickens would kill snakes until I got a few. Amazing how they will all pile up on a snake.

Maybe they look like big worms

 

[NewStoveGuy]

Never new chickens would kill snakes until I got a few. Amazing how they will all pile up on a snake.

Maybe they look like big worms

Yep, chickens and wood piles go together pretty well. They do unbelievable insect control in addition to snake control.

 

[osagebow]

We have tons. I'm 31-1 dealing with them. Ouch . Lifelong snake guy and Bio teacher here.

If there around now, they are hibernating nearby. Unfortunately, this will be where they have babies also. I'll bet you have a nice skink and or fence lizard population. Do not kill any milk snakes nearby,as they eat the young copperheads and are harmless.

Scientific studies show mothballs to be useless, and make sure the kids don't eat them.

I scatter the dog poop in the woods around the house, and remove most places they can hide. I have a few "traps" in secluded nearby areas. Chunks of corrugated steel , large flat rocks with cavities, and a board pile. I occasionally go " collect rent" with the .410. I also have old golf clubs near every corner of the house and other areas. Good luck, and keep your head down when you swing.

 

[Jasper]

Mothballs work well in enclosed spaces, and spread around the ground around your wood pile...they also burn really hot! Glad we have only one venomous snake up here that is pretty much extinct (massasauga rattler).

For the skunks, rabbits, squirrels, moles...my buddy sells these high power air rifles that are very quiet, about the sound of an air nailer:

Norica Black Eagle:



Ian

I have a Benjamin Discovery with an aftermarket suppressor that is super quiet. You actually hear the pellet flying throught the air. Thankfully I never get the skunks or oppossums that decide to stay they just pass through. The only permanent residents I get are these plague proportions of chipmunks.

 

[brenndatomu]

Never new chickens would kill snakes until I got a few. Amazing how they will all pile up on a snake.

Maybe they look like big worms

Some snakes eat eggs, so chickens have a built in get-them-before-they-get-us instinct...looking like big worms probably doesn't hurt either

 

[Thislilfishy]

I have a Benjamin Discovery with an aftermarket suppressor that is super quiet. You actually hear the pellet flying throught the air. Thankfully I never get the skunks or oppossums that decide to stay they just pass through. The only permanent residents I get are these plague proportions of chipmunks.

Unfortunately, in canada suppressors are illegal. Go to prison for 5 years illegal....even on our pellet guns. I really like this one, or my crossbow, which ever one is handy when the pests come around. Raccoons are actually our biggest problem. Turning wood piles in stinking messy outhouses, and tearing our houses apart and everything else they can get into. Definitely a kill on sight creature, with no boundary for mercy.

Ian

 

[brenndatomu]

Some snakes eat eggs, so chickens have a built in get-them-before-they-get-us instinct...looking like big worms probably doesn't hurt either

Just realized that was my 500th post here on hearth...will there be cake ?! (I like chocolate)

 

[Thislilfishy]

The cake is a lie....

 

[Ashful]

Seriously??

Most creative name I've seen here in a while. Took a little math to figure it out.

 

[Kelvin 506]

Most creative name I've seen here in a while. Took a little math to figure it out.

I know book burning is never fashionable, but I figure with kindles and all, if we ever run out of wood and are completely desperate...

 

[Kelvin 506]

We have milk snakes in the yard (and I found 1 in the basement). My reading is that they are part of the king snake family and eat other snakes, which is goo because the yard is teeming with northern ringneck snakes and garter snakes. As much as they startle and freak me out, I have to say I haven't seen evidence of a mouse yet.