Have you found snakes in your pond?

Well this Saturday I was working on my pond---which is above the ground due to my whole garden being on a rock!!!! hahah~~ Well in the middle of dividing my water lillies I began to smell this horrible "skunky" smell. I could not figure out for the life of me where the smell was coming from because I had been working in the pond a good hour and had not smelled it earlier. Then over in the corner in a bed of water iris that I have in it now (not in the picture) This ugly "cottonmouth" snake was curled up and hissing! To say the least-- I dropped about 10 pounds of weight instantly!!!! and took off running. I ran in to get my husband and his gun and when I returned guess what? We could not find him. To say the least I am "spooked" to dive right in my pond now. I do not know how he got in over the side of my pond but he sure didn't want me visiting him. Why is it whenever you go get something to "KILL" a bad snake they are never there when you get back? Marie

Humblebumble, Where I lived before, I had a small pond that was frequently visited by garter snakes. I left them alone account of them eating so many bugs in the yard, (had three that lived in my pond) until they started eating my small koi. I think that possibly he might have dropped into your pond from some of the foliage that hangs over the top of your pond. How scary. Of course garter snakes are not poisonous. I cringe at the thought of finding a rattler in mine. I would be afraid to work in my pond too if I was in your shoes.

gijane--- I do not know how he got in there but he sure seemed happy being in there---- It really makes me sick because I haven't been spooked all summer about snakes until then. We have a cattle pond on the property now just why couldn't he have taken up residence there if he just had to be in the water!!!!! Dang it!

I would be spooked too! I have garter snakes as does gijane but I have never seen them IN MY POND...just around the waterfall. My grandsons were swimming in the pond with the Koi the other day and I told them there were no snakes, just fish and water skippers. Did I LIE?? The only real poisonous snake we have around here is the rattler but I have never seen one on my farm in the 40 years I have lived here.

So what are your options for keeping this snake out of your territory....if any?

I don't know what my options are. I do know that it has spooked me badly. I have always wanted to see MT. They say your state is really beautiful! I could live with not seeing a rattler in 40 years!!!!!! LOL! Marie

Marie...I was born and raised here in Montana. Yes, I think it is a beautiful state. We have lots to see and some interesting history. We have high desert, tall mountains, prairies, foothills, rivers, little rivers, lakes, streams, ranches farms, but very little population. We don't have a million people in this big state so you can see almost any size town

We have one small town that has a sheep drive down their main street.....not a block long I don't think and they get a huge crowd every year from all over.

Do you have bull snakes in AZ?
They aren't poisonous but they do kill rattlers....and everything you don't want on the place like mice etc. We don't ever kill a bull snake......they are considered a benificial predator. Maybe I could send you one? ...for postage?LOL

Blngsbell-- I don't think I have ever seen a bull snake but I do wish Arkansas had one. That would almost be worth purchasing!! I love the for postage! hahaha! What do they look like? I would love to see that little town with a sheep drive. I have always wanted to see MT then Marie Osmond came out with that song Meet me in Montana and I really wanted to go then! LOL! Marie

Uh Oh.....I read your state wrong, Marie....sorry about that...must have been another senior moment.....it was in the 90's here today...must be heat stroke LOL

Bull snakes look, at first glance, like a rattle snake but with no rattle so you have to really look. I had one come out from under my woodpile years ago that looked like a python, it was so VERY BIG. Mostly they are between 3 and 4 feet long....brownish tan and some black..
They will hiss and even bite if cornered but prefer to amble away. Good snakes!

I have got to get into town for a few groceries before it gets dark.....talk with you soon..

Many times we killed snake in our garden.Once we killed when he was in our TV lounge ,in very horible condition......

I am bothered with way to many snakes in and around my pond every year. They eat my frogs and my koi! Any suggestions on how to run them off and keep them from coming back?

Danousley,

see post on Look what was in my pond today.

Plant some ditch lilies around yard
Snakes love them to hide in .

guinea hens eat small snakes, so they don't make BIG snakes

we don't have any poisonous snakes here in IN, so the water snakes, rat, and gardners we see here are kind of a treat. I became concerned that a large one was hanging around my waterfall too long was eating all my tadpoles so I made a snare with a piece of 6 ft. bamboo and string and relocated him, (her?) it wasn't hard to catch! -they don't see too well. I don't think I'd do it with a venomous snake like a water mocassin though,. I can imagine how spooked you are! It wasn't til we learned about the local varieties, and their habits that we got comfortable with them. Herpetologists carry a "snake stick" with a shape on the end for handling them, perhaps you should make one to take on your walks to the water?.. I know I'd feel better! leather knee boots maybe?

I hauled 6 big fat fish (about 6-7 inches long) home from TX in May. Two months later, a black snake and his wife snuck off in the pond and feasted. They have left the baby fish I have, but they ate every one of the big TX ones.

I let them stay because they also eat rodents and we have plenty due to an overgrown field behind our property. Most snakes are harmless and will always be welcome in my gardens--as long as they don't bother me or my pets.

There's some expensive stuff called Snake Away that helps deter them. However, the main ingredient is moth balls all crushed up. So I'd advise you to make your own "snake away" by buying a cheap box of mothballs and beatin 'em with a hammer. Then sprinkle the stuff out to border around your perimeter. You'll have to do it every so often as it "melts" away.

And you don't wanna do it so thick that it runs you off. Ummmm, I speak from experience here. I managed to "evict" myself from my house by tossing too many mothballs under the guest room to deter possums. It worked to scare the critters off! But I sure couldn't stand to be in my house either! LOL

BC