experience with snakes?

[Derya]

No unfortunately this is not a sex question with snakes used to describe penis' or anything. It is about real snakes. What is anyone's experience with snakes in their home? Had one in my house the other day...turned out to be a non-venomous black snake but it was very large and very unexpected. I am now having trouble putting to rest my mind at all regarding likelihood of another in the house, how it got in, possibility of more accidentally finding another in the future. This one was shocking enough; almost stepped on it; it was out in the floor plain view.

I have been trying to find info on the internet about habits, breeding, etc. It sounds tough to do much about them and that's not real reassuring. We have seen black snakes over the years on occasion on our deck or porch and seen some shed skins but all this outside and we killed the ones seen in past years? Also online information kind of implies live with them cause of the good provided by the natural balance of nature and deal with them when you have to.....BUT I'm like having Post Traumic Shock or something. I'm usually pretty calm and not panicky but that is not how I'm feeling since this critter took up residence.

Thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

 

[ecclectic]

Unless you live in Australia, you probably don't have much to worry about.

There aren't that many poisonous snakes in NA, and there aren't any wild constrictors AFIAK, just pets that people let go. The odds of you getting bit and dieing from a snake are far far greater (less likely) than oh say, taking a spill in a public washroom and breaking something.
Most snakes will be doing things that are probably a benefit to you, like eating rats and mice, wich in my mind are far more prevalent and dangerous then the most poisonous snake who will only attack you if provoked.

 

[CopyCarver]

No unfortunately this is not a sex question with snakes used to describe penis' or anything. It is about real snakes. What is anyone's experience with snakes in their home? Had one in my house the other day...turned out to be a non-venomous black snake but it was very large and very unexpected. I am now having trouble putting to rest my mind at all regarding likelihood of another in the house, how it got in, possibility of more accidentally finding another in the future. This one was shocking enough; almost stepped on it; it was out in the floor plain view.

I have been trying to find info on the internet about habits, breeding, etc. It sounds tough to do much about them and that's not real reassuring. We have seen black snakes over the years on occasion on our deck or porch and seen some shed skins but all this outside and we killed the ones seen in past years? Also online information kind of implies live with them cause of the good provided by the natural balance of nature and deal with them when you have to.....BUT I'm like having Post Traumic Shock or something. I'm usually pretty calm and not panicky but that is not how I'm feeling since this critter took up residence.

Thoughts and experiences would be appreciated.

Actually, there are several species of venomous snakes in Virginia (timber rattlers, cottonmouths, copperheads), but they're far less common than harmless black snakes, blue racers, etc.

This time of year, your houseguest was probably just looking for a warm place to spend the winter. I'd definitely evict the snakes instead of killing them.

If you're uncomfortable handling them yourselves, call animal control and/or the local "game warden" from the DNR or whatever that agency calls itself in your state. They're almost certain to have someone who'll bag up the snake and release it in a more appropriate venue.

 

[Eilan]

I don't have any real advice, but I do feel your pain. I feel squicked out when a critter gets into our house.

We live in an older log home in a fairly wooded area. Since my husband bought the house in the early 1990's he's had to contend with mice, shrews, rats, squirrels, and some type of very small snake. They like the warmth.

We see black snakes and garter snakes pretty regularly. The closest we've come (recently, anyway) to having one in the house is about four years ago when I discovered one curled up in our storm door.

My husband found a baby timber rattler in our driveway several years ago, and a worker found a huge snakeskin in our attic.

Have you looked for places where snakes and other critters might be able to get indoors? We have a few vulnerable areas in the chinking between our logs, and that, combined with the cold October we had here, allowed some outdoor "friends" to make their way in.

 

[only_more_so]

You really don't need to kill the ones you've seen outside, since they do keep down vermin that you really don't want coming into your house. If you really don't like them have them relocated into the woods or something.

Snakes can get in through pretty small holes, I think the main culprit is generally under the eaves of a house or through vents. So do a walk around your house (preferably with a flashlight) and look under the eaves where the roofline and the walls meet. Also check where the foundation ends and the walls begin. And of course open windows and doors.

 

[Eilan]

You really don't need to kill the ones you've seen outside, since they do keep down vermin that you really don't want coming into your house. If you really don't like them have them relocated into the woods or something.

Yeah, the times that we've had snakes near our house my husband just takes them elsewhere, usually after he lets the kids look at/touch them.

My dad can't believe this, as he's a "The only good snake is a dead snake" person.

 

[Flyin_Free]

My aunt and uncle lived on a farm in Saskatchewan and she had snakes in her house. They were harmless garter snakes and I'm not sure where they lived in her house, the walls or ??? but she'd find snakes in her house too often for them to just have come in from outside. She also said that sometimes she'd see one in her kitchen and before she could catch it it disappeared through a small space between her floor and her cupboard.

It always creeped me out to stay at their house when I was a kid.

 

[Matadore]

Halloween is over?

Derya,
My personal phobia is spiders. As with snakes, I was taught to wale the daylights out of them by my grandpa. (He also believed in whipping me, BTW.)

So, when a spider or pseudo spider (cricket, daddylonglegs, roach, silverfish, i.e. anything creepy crawly) would wander into my immediate area, I would instantly begin flailing about beating in the general area of the “bug” with a shoe, pan, newspaper, hammer, shovel, hoe, etc. until I got it or it got away. I my tactic was two parts. First speed was far superior to accuracy and the more “hits-per-second” one managed in the general target area, the better chance of success. The second part was that dead, squashed “bugs” were easier to identify than live moving ones.

It is interesting that you would mention the snake-penis image. Not that I’m making any assumptions here, but a friend of mine bought a large, realistic, rubber spider (tarantula I think) and placed it inside her panties covering her vulva neatly. Then she went to her appointment with her male gynecologist. He must have shared the same revulsion to spiders as I do. Fortunately, he did not share my former tactics when confronted by one. He was definitely not in the least amused, however.

I digress.

I have a history with snakes and creepies since I was an ecology major and a nature counselor. I still get the willies around the eight-legged “friends” but now I capture them alive by placing a drinking glass upside down over them and sliding an index card under the mouth of the glass to trap them. I then deposit them outdoors where they can do good munching on more harmful “bugs.” Oh yes, I almost forgot. Any spider that you see is very likely female because to get the protein needed to form eggs, she immediately devours the first protein supply that she has available—her mate. So guys, you can explain to the woman that you have just fucked that you expected to be eaten. Never worked for me, but always worth a try.

Now snakes are much more likeable. I jump when I find one unexpectedly, but I no longer thump them. Even the ones that are dangerous with venom are not particularly aggressive and will do their best to avoid contact with humans by hiding or slipping away undetected. They do not carry diseases that are transmitted to humans (well, ok maybe some that have been in strip acts, but I mean normally). The whirring of a rattlesnake is actually more a nervous tick and could be thought of as a warning to “back-off, lady.”

Blacksnakes of all breeds and species (in North America only—you come close to one in the Congo and you could assume that you are looking at a bushmaster—which is very aggressive and will attack by “charging” you, and those monsters are extremely venomous) are beneficial. I used to have a five footer that lived in the basement and crawlspace of the old farmhouse that I lived in. I only saw it twice and one of those times was when it had two large “lumps” inside it—probably rats. It was just too full to entertain me by trying to get away. I left it where it I found it because I knew quite well why we had no rats in that house.

I now have one or two big boys that seem to have moved into the woodpile by the side of the house. The rats are gone. To be fair, we had a barn cat that would bring me a rat almost every morning; a practice that I encouraged with a spoonful of cream.

Bats! Before I forget, a common brown bat will eat a thousand mosquitoes in a single night, but then you didn’t ask about those cute little eating machines. And, besides, I know no funny sex stories about bats. Maybe I’ll make one up?

Matadore

 

[akatrex]

I too worry more about spiders. I have had my share of Black Widows in my garage and outside the house. Most be mindful of your hands when reaching for things.

As for snakes, I live on the outskirts of town. We have rattlers. The great thing is that they tend to give you fare warning.

I would check the internet as to the various species in Virginia. Education is key.

Put the phone numbers on the Fridge.

They are just looking for a warm place to curl up and lay their head.

Best of Luck.

 

[emptynester]

Derya, Years ago my husband worked for a company that did inspections and treated for termites. As part of his training, they were told to be on the lookout for snakes when going into a crawlspace. They had to not only report termites and termite damage to the homeowner, but any species of snakes found too. It was not his job to remove them, but during the inspection, they were looking for holes, cracks or damage possibly caused by termites that could allow for snakes and other living creatures to easily get in. Could possibly have been used as a sales tactic to get the homeowner to care less about paying those $$ for treatment since the damage caused by the termites was also allowing other creatures to inhabit the same space. That would have definitely convinced me.
I am with you on this one. The fear I have of snakes is enough for me to hurt myself in the process of trying to give the snake his space. Unfortunately for me, my husband has no fear of snakes. We have found them around the house (not in it) and he usually carries them off into the woods so they will wander off. In my opinion, they came to the house for a reason and will only find their way back. He won't kill anything though so I have given up on even asking.
Maybe you could have someone come out to inspect for termites (usually not a charge for the inspection) and ask them to specifically let you know if they find any holes or cracks in the foundation or between the foundation and subfloor.
Also, we had a dog that was my husband's best friend. I tolerated her until the day I ran across a couple of baby copperheads in my rock garden. She sniffed them out and killed them. She then became my best friend. If I found a snake in the yard, I called for her (not my husband). She was a stray dog we had found as a puppy. Just a shepherd/retriever mix, but she was a true snake killer. She died this summer (at the age of 16, not from a snake bite) so now I am back to fending for myself.
Having an outside dog seemed to help keep the snakes further away from the house and out of my flowerbeds. You might want to consider a dog if you don't already have one. She wouldn't have bothered a human intruder if they talked kindly or patted her on the head, but she didn't like snakes any better than I do.

 

[spiderider]

I keep and field study arachnids and snakes.

I can assure you that the snake in your house was entirely harmless.

You should make an effort to educate yourself and get over the fear.

There are very few spiders that are capable of killing most healthy children and adults - the black widow species you have are not nearly as dangerous as their reputation.

Venomous snakes are not often found in houses as the smaller, more agile and arobreal ones like garters, rats and corns.

Rattlers (and Copperheads and Cottonmouths) far prefer hiding or retreat over striking. It takes a lot of resources to make that venom and they prefer to reserve it for food.

I have spoken to many people that used to be very frightened of these creatures and were able to overcome that fear - I hope you do too.

 

[Derya]

good info all

Thank you all for your input regarding your experience/knowledge of snakes. I have been reading about them and just like many have mentioned learned more about their beneficial impact on the environment and their living habitats. I still think the shock part for me was the unexpected part of seeing one...the surprise or shock. Much of our property is wooded and there's the potential for critters coming closer than expected, BUT most often you hear them or note their passing (as in mouse droppings) (actually an itty bitty mouse at night can sound like T-Rex) but ole slithering slick the snake is kind of sneaky and also large....large has it's drawbacks in shocking one ...ya know. By the way I don't know if I did explain in the original post this one was saved...relocated to a mountaineous area of our city by animal control dept. ....internet info had kind of reassured me that even if they are living very close or have entered the house somewhere for hibernating or food catching....crossing into the 'living rooms' so to speak isn't hight on their list either so they're not likely to come together for a party on the Queen Anne sofa.

More tolerant I'm working on
Less skiddish I'm working on
Keeping an investigative, riveted eye on every cord or wiring in the house I'm working on

Trying to bond with slick like some sites suggest "curl up on the recliner and catch an episode of Law and Order together" not happening LOL

 

[incubus'_sub]

Hi from Australia, land of lots of poisonous snakes & spiders - but then again we don't have visiting bears, wolves, alligators or mountain lions lol.

Our black snakes are poisonous but not often deadly, & they always try to get away from people. Mostly, they're left alone or relocated if possible.

Our brown snakes & particularly King Brown snakes are another matter. They are fast, deadly & very aggressive & will chase you......nor do our snakes have that handy rattle sound. Mostly we don't see them unless we're about to tread on them. I have paddocks & horses & the snakes are often around the water troughs, dark, cool & damp in our very hot climate.

We rarely have snakes in the house, our winters are not cold enough to bother them, but now in Spring / Summer, they are out & about & very active.

Spiders, well a lot of ours are venomous particularly the Funnel Web which does like to hide in boots etc. I agree, the only good spider is a squashed spider. My problem is that the man of the house is as worried by them as I am.

Hey, Bat Man, yoohoo. We have a small colony of fruit bats in our palm trees. We love watching them & enjoy having them there. Do fruit bats eat mozzies as well as fruit because that would be very handy?

 

[SlickTony]

Your black snake is going to be totally harmless...even the copperhead isn't as toxic as you'd think. My mother got bitten by one a couple of years back, and didn't even go to the doctor...she is a Christian Scientist, but still...

OTOH, there are some spiders you definitely DO want to watch out for...the brown recluse or any other spider who has necrotizing venom. I got bitten by one in '99. The wound took forever] to heal, and even after that, it left a mottled, bas-relief scar, which eveatually I had a tattoo put on.

With my husband, it doesn't matter: he turns into his mother every time a snake longer than a pencil turns up. (She couldn't even watch snakes on PBS without going into panic mode).

 

[spiderider]

Spiders, well a lot of ours are venomous particularly the Funnel Web which does like to hide in boots etc. I agree, the only good spider is a squashed spider. My problem is that the man of the house is as worried by them as I am.

I'd take a close look at the actual amount of deaths caused by funnel webs - it's quite low and since 1981 there has been an effective anti-venom available as well.

There have been 13 deaths attributed to the funnel web species Atrax robustus in the past 100 years, and of all bites, 90% do not require anti-venom.

The males are far more toxic than females, and most encounters occur from wandering males looking for mates.

When males mature sexually, their days are numbered and their sole purpose is to breed.

Other than the mature males in the spring and summer, the natural behaviour of this spider is to remain in its funnel waiting for prey to happen by.


As much as I hate to demonize snakes, they are responsible for many more deaths worldwide *and* in Australian than any spider, anywhere.


As for the copperhead envenomation, of the venomous snakes native to the US, they are one of the least dangerous. That said, there is no accounting for an individual's reaction to envenomation. With quick medical attention, most deaths are preventable.

However, snake venom (unlike arachnid venom) can cause immediate fatal anaphylaxis - which no one can predict.

 

[incubus'_sub]

Yep, we know about the number of deaths etc etc & the antivenene, however, recovery from a bite depends on the severity of the bite & also the fast availability of the cure. My husband grew up in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney & has many tales to tell about these spiders. Fortunately, they rarely if ever come this far north.

We have trouble dealing with the harmless but huge spinners that descend on our verandah every summer. Just the thought of walking through the web & having it run onto you is enough. eeekkkk !

 

[Dendroaspis]

I'm a professional herpetologist (work with reptiles and amphibians) in Australia, and can tell you all that even though we have 9 of the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world all of them even the notorious brown snakes will leave you alone if given the opportunity.......you can try shouting at them if you want as someone suggested, but they are deaf!!
Our snakes and spiders have a poor reputationthat is thoroughly undeserved.
This year a list came out from University of Melbourne on the number of human deaths caused by animals in Australia between 2000 and 2005....here is the edited list

Cats 1 Death
Birds 2 Deaths
Bees 3 Deaths
Crocodiles 5 Deaths
Snakes 8 Deaths
Sharks 11 Deaths
Dogs 12 Deaths
Cattle 20 Deaths
Horses 40 Deaths

80% of all snake bites in Australia (3000 per year) are caused by someone trying to catch or kill the snake that bites them....leave them alone they will leave you alone.

As I understand it more people per head of population die from Snake Bite in the US than in Australia....even though we have the most venemous snakes....why because that top 10 list is potency of venom (LD50 test) on mice.....humans aren't mice.

 

[Dendroaspis]

However, snake venom (unlike arachnid venom) can cause immediate fatal anaphylaxis - which no one can predict.

Any venom can cause anaphylaxis....that's why people die from bee stings. Eating peanuts (no pun intended) can cause an allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis

 

[spiderider]

Any venom can cause anaphylaxis....that's why people die from bee stings. Eating peanuts (no pun intended) can cause an allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis

Actually. no.

It depends on the venom composition whether or not the body will respond with anaphylaxis.

In the case of spiders, the venom is made with peptides rather than proteins. Proteins are larger, peptides slip past the radar that triggers such a massive immune response.

I have yet to find a case of anaphylaxis from spider envenomation - death, yes. Just not from that. I have consulted with several Arachnologists worldwide on this issue and there is simply no data to support it.

If you have information to the contrary, I'd really appreciate it if you could share it with me.

Interesting that implied by your handle here... your favorite snake is not a native of Australia! Hopefully, you've had the chance to observe them in the wild.

 

[spiderider]

Nice to have met someone into the same things here. I can tell you that as a female in Canada... not so much snake/spider interest around me!

As for the US fatal envenomations, you need to remember as well that proportionately, much more land is developed and inhabited by humans which would increase encounters.

I can't find the stats, but a late 1950's study reports an average of 10 fatalities in the US, but this was before the superior anti-venin (CroFab) was introduced. The previous antivenin had a much higher incidence of anaphylaxis.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports fatalities as;
2005 - six fatalities
2004 - four fatalities
2003 - one fatality

Anyway... still, snakes prefer to retreat. Everything I have ever seen or heard indicates that many bites occur as a result of not leaving the snake alone.
Of course, there are total accidental bites with virtually no warning, as with stepping on a basking rattler etc.

But the fear people harbour is unfounded and reactionary and sadly, results in many needless deaths of an animal that is an important part of our eco-system.

I'm a professional herpetologist (work with reptiles and amphibians) in Australia, and can tell you all that even though we have 9 of the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world all of them even the notorious brown snakes will leave you alone if given the opportunity.......you can try shouting at them if you want as someone suggested, but they are deaf!!
Our snakes and spiders have a poor reputationthat is thoroughly undeserved.
This year a list came out from University of Melbourne on the number of human deaths caused by animals in Australia between 2000 and 2005....here is the edited list

Cats 1 Death
Birds 2 Deaths
Bees 3 Deaths
Crocodiles 5 Deaths
Snakes 8 Deaths
Sharks 11 Deaths
Dogs 12 Deaths
Cattle 20 Deaths
Horses 40 Deaths

80% of all snake bites in Australia (3000 per year) are caused by someone trying to catch or kill the snake that bites them....leave them alone they will leave you alone.

As I understand it more people per head of population die from Snake Bite in the US than in Australia....even though we have the most venemous snakes....why because that top 10 list is potency of venom (LD50 test) on mice.....humans aren't mice.

 

[Zephreck]

Some precautions..

I grew up in the piney woods of Southeast Texas myself and there were more than a few rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads. Snakes can be pretty scary to some people and I think it is natural for you to be freaked out by them.

We use to keep a few cats outside and that helped if they are "hunters". Which means they hunt lizards snakes etc. Depending on how your yard and house is set up you can also utilize moth balls which have been used by many to keep snakes and a few other animals away. Just make sure to put them in something that the smell can get out but that your household pets can't eat. Something that has holes so the vapors can get out and yet not allow animals to chew on them as they can be poisonous to pets.

Not sure how effective it is but maybe that will help.

*bows*

Zeph