Netting on pole worked like a charm

JWN · Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:08 pm

For several years I have read the postings here warning us about snake predators but I was in complete denial that it could happen to our happy little gourd colonies. Well last week I got a dose of reality! I noticed the PMs were really agitated and flying around one of the gourd racks. When I looked closer with field glasses I saw a large rat snake on the pole. I ran out there with a shovel and took care of it and the PMs settled back down on the gourds. I immediately jumped in my car to purchase bird netting and wire and I consulted several photos on this forum to figure out how to bunch it around the poles. My husband was dubious that the netting would prevent another snake intrusion but 2 days later it did just that. Below are photos of the second rat snake of the season and how the bird netting worked like a charm.

I want to thank all of you who generously share information on this forum!!! I am so grateful for the help!!

Dave Reynolds · Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:33 pm

JWN ----- Great photo. Glad you got him, they can destroy a colony in a hurry.

Dave

taxidermy lady · Mon Apr 20, 2015 6:53 pm

Wow great catch! Hooray for netting!

avesrun · Tue Apr 21, 2015 9:07 am

Looks like a Fox snake. Great capture! It's my opinion that if you're up to it these snakes should be taken live and then taken on a road trip and released on to a nature area somewhere far away from your colony. I totally understand folks' apprehension about handling snakes so it's also my opinion a person has to do what they think best. With a decent pair of welding gloves and other appropriate tools; rat snakes can be quite docile once you get them in your hands

TimG

Matt@atx · Tue Apr 21, 2015 10:02 am

That was a great catch. That's a big one that could have swallowed down a few or more adults consecutively and wrought more terror on your birds. Good stop.
I also notice this was following the rains so that did not stop it then which is important to note. We may go inside when its wet but they do not.
Thank you for this share.

KathyF · Tue Apr 21, 2015 12:33 pm

HOLY MOLEY!!!

That's a huge snake! Good job in protecting your colony from a near disaster!

litedave · Thu May 21, 2015 1:39 pm

How do you make one of these snake catchers?

KathyF · Thu May 21, 2015 5:49 pm

litedave wrote:How do you make one of these snake catchers?

Dave, it's "bird netting" or "deer netting" - you can buy at Lowe's or other big box hardware stores. Mount it on your pole using zip ties, wire or whatever...it needs to be 'fluffed' out to prevent a snake from crawling over it. Just be aware - this netting will NOT prevent a racoon from crawling up your pole - you need a predator guard for that.

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/download.php?id=11391

another picture:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27233

predator guards: (find the one you need here:)
http://shop.purplemartin.org/Guards_for ... -list.aspx

Matt F. · Thu May 21, 2015 6:06 pm

Just out of curiosity - is the netting JWN used 1/2" or 3/4"?

eyeamtheman · Fri May 22, 2015 8:35 pm

Garden Center at WalMart. The netting is 3/4" squares, and yes, works well. I catch one or two every year. And NO, they are NOT relocated....

Anthony Neira · Fri May 22, 2015 9:01 pm

I like how calm your Dog looks in the background !

I'm GUILTY ! Yes ! I'm a Snake Lover !

I relocate also, Tim ! And Yes ! I LOVE to Handle Snakes ! Sorry Folks , I REALLY Respect your decision to deal with snakes how you feel best for your property, But, Converting a Human Carnivore to become a Vegetarian is easier than preventing me from grabbing Reptiles !

But, that being my problem,

, GREAT Job ! JWN, on stopping that critter from devastating your Martins !!

Matt F. · Fri May 22, 2015 9:09 pm

eyeamtheman wrote:The netting is 3/4" squares, and yes, works well.

Thanks Johnny.
I always wondered if smaller, more petite rat snakes could get through the 3/4".
That snake JWN caught is definitely on the smaller side, and that 3/4" netting stopped it cold.

avesrun · Sun May 24, 2015 10:10 pm

Anthony Neira wrote:I like how calm your Dog looks in the background !
I'm GUILTY ! Yes ! I'm a Snake Lover ! I relocate also, Tim ! And Yes ! I LOVE to Handle Snakes ! Sorry Folks , I REALLY Respect your decision to deal with snakes how you feel best for your property, But, Converting a Human Carnivore to become a Vegetarian is easier than preventing me from grabbing Reptiles ! But, that being my problem, , GREAT Job ! JWN, on stopping that critter from devastating your Martins !!

Well stated Anthony! As mentioned on a FB post I can be a hypocrite on this topic. Such as my dislike of ground hogs around my buildings

Fred · Mon May 25, 2015 1:29 pm

Bird netting has worked well for me until past two years. Now I am finding they are somehow getting around it. This is the smaller 2 or 3 foot types. I think they going over it rather than trying to go up into it. Even had one get past the netting, plus a back up snake guard!! Anyway, this year I am using the lowest rated fence pulse transformer and no problems, or dead snakes. If it's not one thing it's another.

DebA · Mon May 25, 2015 2:14 pm

My husband would be a snake relocator if alive. Me? After freaking out, and I mean majorly, I would await his return and beg him to come home from work. If that wasn't going to happen I would shotgun blast it. Pole and all. But that's just me.
Deb

Anthony Neira · Mon May 25, 2015 2:57 pm

Deb. Even a Reptile lover like myself would say that if you are home & not sure if a critter is poisonous/ Venomous or not, better safe than sorry to kill it. I've sen Copperheads & Water Moccasins up close & personal !

and I would NEVER want Anyone to take a chance with one ON their property !
Fun Facts: I read that Gila-monsters are SO Slow a Person has to be Very foolish to get bitten by one, and it has to Chew, or flip over on it's back to get it's Venom into its victim !
American Kestrel Hawks have UltraViolet vision, to help it find Rodents! Don't know if it uses it on PMs ?

Hmmm...