Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys! I know y'all love snakes here, but I have a question.

My sis lives in northern cali and just moved to a house on 3 acres. Her 2nd day there, rattlesnake with 2 rattles comes right up onto the warm concrete of their basketball court.

Now she's sooo worried about her 2 year old daughter playing outside.

She asked me to research "rattlesnake deterrents," or even if there are such things. Now, I'm a pro researcher, but I'm telling you, after 2 hours of looking, I'm more confused than ever! Here's some stuff that I've found...can y'all let me know if I'm crazy?? lol

Mothballs---don't work?

Sulfur--doesn't work?

Snake-A-Way --- Lotsa mixed opinions. But my gatherings tell me it only works when spread about 4X's the recommended amount.

Guinea-Hens and Geese --- ROFL??

Pigs -- Myth?

Cats --- Not very reliable?

I've read that the Cali Kingsnake is a natural enemy to rattlesnakes, and many people get them and release them onto their property, and it keeps the rattlers in check. I'm curious about this one. Is it true? If so, do they STAY? How many are needed? Is it even humane??

Thanks in advance, guys! I'm REALLY confused!

~Jeni
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2.2.0 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& Baby Gibbs!
1.0.0 Beta: Redda
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 9 and Collin, 6

As for a safe chemical deterrant, you won't find one. Anything that would effectively deter ratters will create havoc on the environment. As for releasing the cal kings they aren't actually what would be considered enemies they can feed on rattlesnakes that's not inhumane since it's just a way of nature. but they also feed on rodents, lizards, other snakes. With a large supply of rodents or lizards they can coexist. The balance of animals in the environment is normally the way it is for a reason. If you was to buy them and release them there's a good chance they'll die. When releasing a snake in a new environment it's called a hard release, and that for a reason. It's difficult for them to survive. It's not totally impractial it may help yet Releasing captive snakes is a bad idea since you can introduce foreign pathogens to the environment. So if you was to try releasing cal kings you may want to organize a snake hunt fairly close to where they are gonna be released then release them where you want them. They most likely won't stay even in that attempt. You can also organize herpers to come and capture the rattlers around her place and remove them. Most herpers would love to do that. Try finding a local herp society they will love to come get them to save them and keep someone from killing them. I have been to Phoenix az and out there they build block walls around their yards to keep animals such as that out of their yards. That will work depending on how practical it is how large of an area it is. Also to remove any kind of accomodations for the snakes will help. Hiding places (tin, rocks, brush, logs,) and food items (be rid of rodents and any food that can cater to rodents such as trash, bird feed, horse feed, and such). Good luck let us know what attempts are made and the results.

Wow. Thanks so much! Lotsa good info.

Just FYI...My sis has lived in the country most of her life, and HAS co-existed with lots of snakes. And the new house is VERY overgrown---LOTSA tall grass, so they have their work cut out for them. Their FIRST plan was to tackle the back yard -- mow it short, remove hiding places, etc. -- to give their baby a place to play safely. But I think when she saw the rattler come right up onto a cemented area, she thought, "Is anywhere actually going to be 'safe?'" Does this makes sense?

Thanks though...I like the idea of herpers coming. Anyone know if Jeff Corwin is available? ROFL!

>>As for a safe chemical deterrant, you won't find one. Anything that would effectively deter ratters will create havoc on the environment. As for releasing the cal kings they aren't actually what would be considered enemies they can feed on rattlesnakes that's not inhumane since it's just a way of nature. but they also feed on rodents, lizards, other snakes. With a large supply of rodents or lizards they can coexist. The balance of animals in the environment is normally the way it is for a reason. If you was to buy them and release them there's a good chance they'll die. When releasing a snake in a new environment it's called a hard release, and that for a reason. It's difficult for them to survive. It's not totally impractial it may help yet Releasing captive snakes is a bad idea since you can introduce foreign pathogens to the environment. So if you was to try releasing cal kings you may want to organize a snake hunt fairly close to where they are gonna be released then release them where you want them. They most likely won't stay even in that attempt. You can also organize herpers to come and capture the rattlers around her place and remove them. Most herpers would love to do that. Try finding a local herp society they will love to come get them to save them and keep someone from killing them. I have been to Phoenix az and out there they build block walls around their yards to keep animals such as that out of their yards. That will work depending on how practical it is how large of an area it is. Also to remove any kind of accomodations for the snakes will help. Hiding places (tin, rocks, brush, logs,) and food items (be rid of rodents and any food that can cater to rodents such as trash, bird feed, horse feed, and such). Good luck let us know what attempts are made and the results.
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2.2.0 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, Bindy,& Baby Gibbs!
1.0.0 Beta: Redda
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 9 and Collin, 6

The best plan of action would be to clean the place up get rid of the grass like she was doing. You can let her know that just because it come out and was sunning it'self on the concrete don't mean they are so plentiful they can't all fit in the grass. That one could have been the only one within miles that just happened to find a nice warm place to relax and raise it's body temperature. I forgot to mention in my last post that I've heard certain farm animals can deter/kill rattlesnakes. I've always heard that pigs are actually pretty good for this. I've heard they will eat the snakes. I don't know if that's true or not but it don't seem totally impossible to me. Maybe a potbellied pig for a pet could help. I've also heard donkeys will stomp them if they see them, again I dont know if that's true or not. I do know that dogs will rapidly find a rattlesnake in your yard and alert you especially the dogs that are territorial. Downside to this is that the dog will likely get bitten and may even die from the bite depending on how severe the bite is. Nobody wants to lose a pet dog but it could be a fair alternative to losing a child..

as mentioned earlier, cleaning up the yard is the first thing to do. Snakes like to hang around places that can conceal them. Around the edges of structures is where you will most likely find snakes. She should keep her eyes open and be mindful of the area. If her child is going to be playing outside, she needs to inspect the area and make sure there's no hiding places for snakes where the child will be. Flip over toys and look underneath. Check the base of the slide. Snakes will seek shelter from the hot sun under there. NO SAND BOXES. So many things hide form the sun in sand. Use common sense and keep an eye on the kid. Our brains are the most powerful weapon we have against danger but it's the least used.

Hope this helps.
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