Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
I have read all the posts that snakes have as much right to be here as
us and that they are helpful in keeping down the rodent population and I suppose that's true. I have read about leaving snakes alone and they will avoid humans. Now, THAT, I am finding not to be true. I have been out in the middle of our yard twice only to look up and find a copperhead coming to keep me company. Mind you, this is not in the wooded areas, but in the neatly trimmed and no shrubbery part of the yard. I was just spading and turning over some soil. No machinery running, no water running and no rodents at my feet for bait. My apologies to the herpetologists, but I felt assassination of the offender was the best route to take. Why is this happening? What would make a snake want to hang out with the shovel-wielding gardener? What can I do to keep it from happening again? Has anyone on the list ever ascertained that sulfur and mothballs really work in keeping them away? If so, what is the recipe for the mix? On the rodent thing, we have a large hawk and cat population here so that I would think the rodent population is being maintained rather well. The hawks are so effective that I have never seen a rabbit here in 12 years. The hawks were driving me crazy, but I have come to enjoy their company as long as they aren't swooping at me during nesting season. The snake and I will never reach such an understanding, so suggestions are very welcome. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
jammer j@mmer wrote in message . ..
On 4 May 2003 18:16:31 -0700, (mypet) wrote: Why is this happening? It might be mating season and they see your garden as thier nesting ground. Wear boots, always. I spent many days in the country in 100+ degrees, wearing short shorts, a halter top, and boots! Most everyone gets bit when they step on a copperhead in leaf litter where they are damn near invisible. I can't recall anyone getting killed by one. Boots are a good idea. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
What kind of gardening boots have you found to be the most comfy? It
looks like I will be needing some. So, the sulfur thing really doesn't do anything? It might be mating season and they see your garden as thier nesting ground. Wear boots, always. I spent many days in the country in 100+ degrees, wearing short shorts, a halter top, and boots! |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
Comfy? LOL......just plain ol' cowboy boots. Durable and serves a
purpose but forget comfy. On 5 May 2003 06:43:46 -0700, (mypet) wrote: What kind of gardening boots have you found to be the most comfy? It looks like I will be needing some. So, the sulfur thing really doesn't do anything? It might be mating season and they see your garden as thier nesting ground. Wear boots, always. I spent many days in the country in 100+ degrees, wearing short shorts, a halter top, and boots! |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
Living in Australia where I think we have 7 out of the 10 deadliest snakes I
find it's always handy to have a long shovel nearby just in case. I don't see as many as I used to now that we have dogs, but we are near a river and we often find that snakes just pass through on their way to the water. The Eastern Brown snake is common where I live - very dangerous and quite deadly - there was a news article a while ago about a little boy being bitten on the heel by one, and the only thing that saved him was the fact that he had never worn shoes and his feet were as hard as a rock! Denise "mypet" wrote in message om... I have read all the posts that snakes have as much right to be here as us and that they are helpful in keeping down the rodent population and I suppose that's true. I have read about leaving snakes alone and they will avoid humans. Now, THAT, I am finding not to be true. I have been out in the middle of our yard twice only to look up and find a copperhead coming to keep me company. Mind you, this is not in the wooded areas, but in the neatly trimmed and no shrubbery part of the yard. I was just spading and turning over some soil. No machinery running, no water running and no rodents at my feet for bait. My apologies to the herpetologists, but I felt assassination of the offender was the best route to take. Why is this happening? What would make a snake want to hang out with the shovel-wielding gardener? What can I do to keep it from happening again? Has anyone on the list ever ascertained that sulfur and mothballs really work in keeping them away? If so, what is the recipe for the mix? On the rodent thing, we have a large hawk and cat population here so that I would think the rodent population is being maintained rather well. The hawks are so effective that I have never seen a rabbit here in 12 years. The hawks were driving me crazy, but I have come to enjoy their company as long as they aren't swooping at me during nesting season. The snake and I will never reach such an understanding, so suggestions are very welcome. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
I have been looking for some rubber boots and I have a question. How
tall should the shaft of the boot be? Another question: what is the procedure to follow to treat a snakebite while transporting the victim to the hospital? When I was young the thing to do was cut it and suck the venom and I think that I have read that you should not do that. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
Apply ice, keep the limb elevated and have someone call ahead to make
sure the anti venom is there on on it's way. susan mypet wrote: I have been looking for some rubber boots and I have a question. How tall should the shaft of the boot be? Another question: what is the procedure to follow to treat a snakebite while transporting the victim to the hospital? When I was young the thing to do was cut it and suck the venom and I think that I have read that you should not do that. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
mypet said:
I have been looking for some rubber boots and I have a question. How tall should the shaft of the boot be? Another question: what is the procedure to follow to treat a snakebite while transporting the victim to the hospital? When I was young the thing to do was cut it and suck the venom and I think that I have read that you should not do that. According to Steve Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter) who I think would have a good reason to be up on the appropriate first aid routine: Have the victim lie down, remain calm and quiet Wrap the effected limb with elastic bandage, or strips of clothing Imobilize the limb with a splint. Get them to a medical center for treatment with antivenom ASAP (for many of us, that would mean calling emergency, 911) Of course, most of the biters in Australia will have cobra-type venom (more nervous-system effects) rather than viper-type (which has a lot of localized tissue-destroying effect). In America, that would be the other way around; we only have one poisonous snake that isn't a viper, the coral snake. What's most appropriate in Australia might need to be altered for the USA. (no torniquet, no cutting, no sucking, no whiskey -- the old-time advice is trash) Having watched another show about emergency room treatment of assorted snake-bite victims, the most important thing to do with snake-bite victims is to get them to an appropriately equipped emergency room as quickly as possible. (I watch a lot of Animal Planet, obviously!) -- Pat in Plymouth MI Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced. (attributed to Don Marti) |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Curious Copperhead
specifically, after reading on the internet about Tennessee snakes of which
the copperhead is one after the encounter I had at Lowes last year with the snake I removed for them.............copperheads are the ONLY snakes that are CURIOUS. It's their nature. DOn't know why, but that's what the site said about them............hate you had to off him/her, but don't blame you because of his poisonious nature. And he/she was also responsible for removal of rodents and such. The only threat to a copperhead is a black snake. Learned that on the website too....................I tend to like all my critters around here, but a rattler or copperhead is something I wouldn't want because I have the occaisonal visitation of grandchildren...........but I have a resident black snake now so hopefully my small woods are cleared of the copper beauties now. madgardener "mypet" wrote in message om... I have read all the posts that snakes have as much right to be here as us and that they are helpful in keeping down the rodent population and I suppose that's true. I have read about leaving snakes alone and they will avoid humans. Now, THAT, I am finding not to be true. I have been out in the middle of our yard twice only to look up and find a copperhead coming to keep me company. Mind you, this is not in the wooded areas, but in the neatly trimmed and no shrubbery part of the yard. I was just spading and turning over some soil. No machinery running, no water running and no rodents at my feet for bait. My apologies to the herpetologists, but I felt assassination of the offender was the best route to take. Why is this happening? What would make a snake want to hang out with the shovel-wielding gardener? What can I do to keep it from happening again? Has anyone on the list ever ascertained that sulfur and mothballs really work in keeping them away? If so, what is the recipe for the mix? On the rodent thing, we have a large hawk and cat population here so that I would think the rodent population is being maintained rather well. The hawks are so effective that I have never seen a rabbit here in 12 years. The hawks were driving me crazy, but I have come to enjoy their company as long as they aren't swooping at me during nesting season. The snake and I will never reach such an understanding, so suggestions are very welcome. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Copperhead(less) | Garden Photos | |||
Just Curious | Plant Science | |||
nice post, but curious | Freshwater Aquaria Plants | |||
nice post, but curious | Freshwater Aquaria Plants | |||
Just curious, for now | Orchids |