First off: I’m born and raised in FL I know the difference. These ARE water moccasins not just harmless watersnakes. We killed a very large one (for these snakes) yesterday. They are eating my goldfish and wild frogs faster than I or nature can replace them here in South Alabama. Not to mention I have outdoor cats that drink from the ponds edge and curious kids who like to watch the wonder of tadpoles close up and personal. At first, the pond was deep (2 feet) and steep sided….that didn’t work, it just let them dive where we couldn’t see them OR the fish we bought. Then we dug it out and expanded the pond sides making it more space with gradually sloping sides but less than a foot deep so that we could clearly see the sandy bottom and the fish we bought…..Still even though we can see them, they’re unwelcomed guests and now probably more of an issue because we now know there are more of them than we originally thought. When we kill one, another large one has replaced it within a week! Now, there are babies in the water and those are even harder to kill because they’re so small and quick. I need a pond solution and fast!
Here’s my thoughts: We have already spent nearly $1000 over the last two years trying to build a lovely water feature. I would hate to waste a brand new liner, brand new pump, not to mention all the rocks, plants and fish. But…..If I don’t find a safe solutions, my husband is threatening to fill it in. So, I need "snake proof" pond plans…if there is such a thing.
-IF I were to build a square box with sides say 2 or even 3 feet off the ground. Lay my liner inside this form and have a sort of large container garden; would this solve my problem with the moccasins?
-Are there any pond design ideas that will bar snakes from entering?
Please let me know….we love our pond, but Daddy’s more concerned with safety as all good husbands are.
The best thing to do would be to take a look around the pond area, and remove any areas where the snakes could be sheltering.
They don’t actually live in the pond full time, and will require some sort of space nearby to sleep in. Trimming the grass, making sure there’s no wood piles or other hiding spots for them, no sheds to climb under or even hollow logs to curl up in may make the place less attractive to the snakes.
Sadly, the area around the pond won’t be as natural looking. It will also reduce the numbers of frogs that are able to use the pond, but that will reduce the food available to the snakes as well, and help keep them away.
Otherwise, if there’s food and shelter for the snakes there, they’ll probably keep coming back no matter what you do.
The best thing to do would be to take a look around the pond area, and remove any areas where the snakes could be sheltering.
They don’t actually live in the pond full time, and will require some sort of space nearby to sleep in. Trimming the grass, making sure there’s no wood piles or other hiding spots for them, no sheds to climb under or even hollow logs to curl up in may make the place less attractive to the snakes.
Sadly, the area around the pond won’t be as natural looking. It will also reduce the numbers of frogs that are able to use the pond, but that will reduce the food available to the snakes as well, and help keep them away.
Otherwise, if there’s food and shelter for the snakes there, they’ll probably keep coming back no matter what you do.
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All you need to do is get a pet mongoose or badger and they’re sure to eat any trespassing snakes.
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Call Animal Control in your area and they should be able to help you with your snake problem and should be able to give you some suggestions as well. Good luck.
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You need a snake catching pole with a wire noose at one end. You sit by the pond, noose any snake you happen to see, pull it out, and kill it. Repeat as needed.
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