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Bad News at the Wildlife Refuge
Topic Started: Sep 18 2011, 03:36 PM (269 Views)
anitapond
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Bluegill
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I have now realized I must live in a wildlife refuge. Even though I live in a very populated, residential area, in the last 24 hours, this is what I've seen or had in my yard:

1. Chipmunk in 1 live trap (about the 10th one I've caught this year)
2. Opussum in another live trap (about the 5th one I've caught)
3. Skunk in another live trap (2nd one this year)
3. 8 deer in my front yard (including 4 babies and a buck)
4. Raccoon across the street
5. Big rabbit in the back yard (when I went to release the skunk)
6. Snake IN MY POND!

Again, let me remind you, all of this within a 24 hour period. The really funny thing is that I do not bait the traps. That's right - no food to bring them here. They just come.

Yes, the newest addition is the snake. I mentioned to the DH a few weeks ago that I don't understand how I could have 4 missing fish without finding any remains. I said since the pond is now netted 24x7, the only thing that could get in is a snake. Well, wouldn't you know, I saw one in the pond today. By the time I got the net to catch him, he was gone. I'm pretty sure he was a garter, and not very big. He slithered on top of the WL plants. I'm curious though, does anyone know if they go in the water and catch fish? I didn't think garter snakes would go in water...but I don't know.

So, does anyone know how to trap a snake? I'm an expert with mammals, but not reptiles!
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tlc
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anitapond,Sep 18 2011
03:36 PM

So, does anyone know how to trap a snake?  I'm an expert with mammals, but not reptiles!

:cofe: :boom:
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Its Just Don
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Bluegill
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Quote:
 
I'm curious though, does anyone know if they go in the water and catch fish? I didn't think garter snakes would go in water...but I don't know.


Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaYmbjXUKuk

Any more questions?
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anitapond
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Bluegill
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OMG! I guess that answers that question. The snake in that video is about the size of the one I saw in my pond. What scares me is one of the fish that "disappeared" was pretty big - about 5-6". I'm assuming a bigger snake must've gotten that one. I guess the pond net is a "catch 22." It keeps the mammals out, but it keeps the snakes safe from the mammals.

I ordered myself one of these today:

http://www.amazon.com/Cahaba-Snake-Trap-ST...16472234&sr=8-1

BTW, this is one "catch and release" I will not do!
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frogman3
Bluegill
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I think you need to look at this web site.
http://www.critterridders.com

I have most of those and have disposed of 5 garters this summer but coons have been the biggest problem for me.
I now have a large woodchuck/groundhog that has ravaged the sweetpotato vine growing around and over the waterfall filter.

Last year I had a garter get tangled up in the pond netting not a pretty picture.
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anitapond
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Groundhogs are so destructive! That's one thing I don't have (yet...). You should be able to trap him in the coon cage, right?

Something tried to dig in the dirt under my netting last night, however, it looked to be unsuccessful.

My snake trap is here! I'm going to set it up tonight, I think. We're expecting a lot of rain, so I don't want the rain to ruin it. I'm gonna pull out the instructions soon and see what they say.
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anitapond
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Bluegill
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Snake trap has been setup for a few days. Caught a few spiders...

When I checked it yesterday, the glue paper was gone out of the trap. (This could only happen to me!) So I started searching the yard for the paper and whatever might be stuck to it. I found the paper a few feet away, and guess what???!!! NOTHING stuck to it... My conquering quest (or lack thereof) continues...

However, I have caught 2 more chipmunks and a rabbit!

Something has been trying to dig under the pond netting and around the pond. Also found another pile of feces by the pond.

No missing fish for the time being.
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Its Just Don
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Now I get to join the wildlife club. Several days ago, I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a long-tailed mammal slinking under the deck. This morning all doubt was wiped away as I clearly saw a RAT next to the pond wall munching on an acorn. It ran back under the deck with it when I opened the door. Marcia was about to freak out when she saw it. I despise rats. I can't help but think it's from the dumpsters that the school district put outside my back gate, as they put the cafeteria trash in them and it is going to attract rats, especially with a storm sewer drain adjacent to it.

I went to Farm and Fleet and purchased two Havahart traps of a size for small mammals. It is about 9 in the evening and I went out to check the traps about 10 minutes ago. My dog Bernie was going slightly bonkers as he went out ahead of me. Sure enough, there was a BIG, FAT, RAT in one of the traps. It was none too happy to be in there and was having a hissy fit when I picked up the handle to the trap. We've had a ton of rain the last few days and the small livestock tank on the deck has about 8 inches of water in it, so I just put the trap in the tank and let the filthy SOB drown. One less rat to creep us out. Naturally, where there is one, there are probably more, so I'll reset the trap and see what happens. Quite frankly, I'd be delighted if this is a loner. I think I'll take a picture and send it to the superintendent of schools and thank him for allowing the garbage dumpsters to sit outside my property.

DP :batterup: :po_ed: :swear:
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Its Just Don
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Just took these pix this AM. Was too dark last night.

Posted Image

Posted Image
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tlc
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Its Just Don,Sep 30 2011
06:17 AM
Just took these pix this AM. Was too dark last night.

:blink: Nice to find there DP~ not! Looks like Mr. Rats swimming days are pretty much over. I bet your "wet" buddy did come from the dumpsters. I would think the school would take action on that since they do have children on the grounds??

I hate rats too DP. We have a guy that raises chickens down the road. He was telling us a few years ago that he had rats galore getting into.. you guessed it, his chicken feed (corn). He said the rats were all over the place. :yikes: So far, we have not had any at our place (that I have seen anyway). I would throw the biggest hissy fit you ever saw if they head our way. I don't know if I hate snakes more or not. Snakes give me the creeps but rats are just like you say "dirty".

T
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Its Just Don
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Bluegill
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Hey, how about a video?

Posted Image

DP
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tlc
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Looks like a big fat wet dead rat to me.

That is a stupid place for a dumpster too. I have to wonder if they are trying to send you a message DP? <_<
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Its Just Don
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Quote:
 
I have to wonder if they are trying to send you a message DP?


Yep, they sure are. When they put it in, I asked the maintenance director why they were putting it there and he said, "That's for your votes on the city council."

I was an alderman for 8 years. Guess he didn't agree with me, but he is a perfect example of arrested development as he is acting like an adolescent.
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