Reptile experts

[JPGLSG]

Either I have been invaded by black snakes or it is the same three that I see daily within a 200 foot radius around the house. They are either on one of the decks or around the edge of the house or crossing the driveway or walk ways or on the edges of the heavy woods. If it just three, they are on the move big time, or I may have large group. For weeks the river behind the house have been out of its banks and we have had an unusual large amount of frogs and lizards hanging out.

My question is, are black snake territorial, do they group up or are they just roaming through the property. Is there a natural deterrent to keep them from sleeping at the back door of the house. My sweet Wife Lefty has been very close to shooting holes in perfectly good stuff to rid the place of what are harmless creatures. I'll never convince her they are not attack snakes out do her in.

 

[toysoldier]

That close to water, I'd be real sure that they are black snakes and not moccasins.

 

[Cholo]

I'm no expert, but:

Like all snakes, they go where the food is. Don't laugh: Try putting a field of moth balls where you don't want them to cross. So far it's worked for me with chipmunks that are causing me a problem under my rear deck. Lots of critters don't like moth balls. It's cheap to try!

I like snakes, and so did my x wife. If she hadn't, I'd have had to keep them away somehow.

 

[Gator89]

The high water pushed the prey to higher ground and the predators followed.

 

[contender]

I tried to post last night, but the board kept going down.

Cholo,,, as a person who works with critters,,, I can attest to the FACT that moth balls do NOT deter snakes. And,, in quantity,, can be dangerous to humans, especially in closed environments. And there aren't any chemical agents of any kind, (natural or synthetic) that can act as a deterrent w/o causing harm to humans.

Now,,, Black snakes do not mind being near humans,,, and can appreciate the same home. They are the "green" way of controlling mice, rodents etc. They also can & will kill & eat other snakes, including poisonous ones. As for being territorial,, it's more likely they are enjoying an easy food source. Plus,,, our homes are often high enough & dry enough to allow good sunning & warmth. Heavy rains, flooding etc forces critters to higher grounds.

I'd leave them alone for a while,,, as they can be natural protectors against the potential dangerous snakes. Once the food leaves,,, so will they too leave.

 

[daveg.inkc]

I know people don’t like snakes. But Contender is an expert on this matter. Black snakes are our friend. I never harm them. I lived on an old farm when first married. I had large Black snakes in the barns. They were better at mice than cats. I liked to see them in rafters and in hay lofts

 

[Mike J]

When I first moved into where I live there was a large blacksnake I used to see around here. I never bothered it & I never saw any other snakes. Then one Saturday morning I went out & my neighbor wanted to show me the snake he had killed. It was the large blacksnake. I have seen many other snakes since then.

About 3 years ago I killed 4 copperheads & didn't see any more until this year. This year my daughter saw one while I was at work. I looked when I got home but couldn't find it. One evening last week (just after dark) my wife & son were leaving to go see her sister. They no sooner went out the door than my son came back to get me. A copperhead was laying behind her car. Right where she would walk to go around it to get in. I would leave the blacksnakes alone.

 

[BearBio]

I worked as a herpetologist for a while at my last duty station.

Snakes may be territorial but it doesn't sound like it's the case here. Likely just flooded out, available food, etc.

I wouldn't worry. (My daughter's first pet was a rosy boa==a small ground boa from California. Barely able to walk and she carries it everywhere!)