You will most likely always get spiteful responses on forums, especially if you yourself are not an expert on the forum's topic. Try to ignore them as and don't take them personal! I find what's more annoying to me are the people who refuse to use punctuation and ignore all grammer rules. I know my posts aren't perfect but at least they can be understood!



The cottonmouth showing up in your pond:



First, are you sure its a cottonmouth? The reason I ask is because the vast majority of water snakes are not cottonmouths. I would say 99% of water snakes you come across will be harmless. Also cottonmouths are nocturnal, shy, slow, and not usually overly aggressive. The non-venomous water snakes belonging to "nerodia" (there are numerous different kinds in the south) are usually SUPER aggressive. So if it was out during the day, around where people live, and defensive it sounds like it might be nerodia.



But if it was a cottonmouth they are pretty easy to capture due to their slowness. A large bucket and stick/broom will work well. On the other hand if you are nervous about snakes then it probably shouldn't be attempted unless the snake is really small. I wouldn't blame you for not trying.



Now keeping snakes out of your pond...I can't really think of any way to keep it snake free! Any permanent water source with the lingering smell of amphibians and/or fish is going to attract water snakes. The only advice I would say is to harrass the crap out of any snake that shows up in or around the pond. Maybe if they are threatened enough they won't come around anymore.

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