Getting rid of cottonmouth snakes?

Question

I am looking at purchasing a property in Mississippi and the owner says the back part of the property has water mocassins around the pond. I am deathly afraid of this snake, especially this kind and I want to know if there is something I can do without draining the pond to make the environment unacceptable to this snake so that they will just move on. Is there a prediator of this snake or what other suggestions folks have to get rid of them.

Answer 1

snakes will not cross over lyme, the cement mix kind, a bag of it goes along way to make a 1-2 inch thick perimeter space around the yard. I have witnessed several times the snakes approach the lyme and turn and go the other way. It burns their skin just as it burns human skin when it touches you, so wear long sleeves and gloves to pour it.

Answer 2

Yes lime will work. And so will moth balls. :)

Answer 3

Are you sure they're cottonmouths? Harmless water snakes are often mistaken with cottonmouths since they are extremely similar in appearance and behavior. I have personally seen it hundreds of times, even by animals control officers and other "so called" experts. Cottonmouths prefer swampy areas and avoid people. Water snakes, on the other hand, are often found in people's backyard ponds. And water snakes are abundant in Mississippi.

Answer 4

I'm with madsnake on this one. When I was at Tulane, we got called out after every flood to pick up "water moccasins". Every time, we found non-venomous water snakes. They can be nasty-tempered but won't do that much damage if they do bite. They won't, if you don't bother them. Buy the property but negotiate a lower price because you will have to get somebody to get rid of the snakes for you. Then, get one of the snakes to an expert (or vice versa) to find out what you really have. You can usually get a herpetology grad student who would like to pick up another pet or several of them. Incidentally, water moccasins make good pets if you keep them from biting you. Fairly docile and good eaters. Not that I expect to convert you to a snake-lover ....

Answer 5

I would say lyme, but moth balls are a lot less messy and I think they would work just as good.  As far as any animal that would kill them-- well the only thing I can think of is a California Kingsnake, but they can be costly $100 and up.  I would just try the moth balls, if that doesnt work, the lyme and so forth! Good luck!  Please be careful, you dont want to mess with a cottonmouth!

Answer 6

a shovel but please refrain from killing them if you can and i dont want to seem like those other people who tell you you are wrong in your question but stay away from them amap