[nasodearpa]

I bought property in a rural sub. 7 acres I will have other homes around but also some land to seperat us. The septic contractor saw three snakes on the property and my wife does not like them, I usualy kill all I find to keep her happy.
The contractor told me that there are a lot of snakes in arkansas. How bad are they?
I am from WI and there are snakes but not so many it is a hazard.
Am I missing something here?
Any info app.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nasodearpa

I bought property in a rural sub. 7 acres I will have other homes around but also some land to seperat us. The septic contractor saw three snakes on the property and my wife does not like them, I usualy kill all I find to keep her happy.
The contractor told me that there are a lot of snakes in arkansas. How bad are they?
I am from WI and there are snakes but not so many it is a hazard.
Am I missing something here?
Any info app.

Well we haven't relocated yet, but from what I have heard there are lots of the creatures running around the place. I think it is the only thing that is scaring me. I did talk to our realtor about snakes (we are moving to Bella Vista) she said after living there several years she has only come in contact with one. That did make me feel a little better.

Nita

[SC2u]

there are fiddle back spiders and black widows. both can kill. As far as snakes go, I kill all I find. keep a .22 pistol with shot shells in it, and it does a number on a snake, if you have a 9mm or .45 you can buy shot shells for these also. a 12 guage will work but is a bit over kill. when it comes to snakes over kill is good though.

[arguy1973]

I dont know anything about this mixture I spray other than it works to keep away snakes....Spray diesel around the edge of your property line, then while its still damp, sprinkle Seven-dust on top the diesel. Keeps snakes away, I also spray it around the edge of my house, using seven dust as well on top of it, kills the grass, and keeps spiders away too.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by SC2u

there are fiddle back spiders and black widows. both can kill. As far as snakes go, I kill all I find. keep a .22 pistol with shot shells in it, and it does a number on a snake, if you have a 9mm or .45 you can buy shot shells for these also. a 12 guage will work but is a bit over kill. when it comes to snakes over kill is good though.

What did snakes ever do to you, ya know, besides leave you alone?? Killing snakes is rude, ignorant and selfish. They wont bother you unless you bother them. Plus, they eat disease-spreading rodents that you definitely dont want around.

[brucep]

Originally Posted by nasodearpa

I bought property in a rural sub. 7 acres I will have other homes around but also some land to seperat us. The septic contractor saw three snakes on the property and my wife does not like them, I usualy kill all I find to keep her happy.
The contractor told me that there are a lot of snakes in arkansas. How bad are they?
I am from WI and there are snakes but not so many it is a hazard.
Am I missing something here?
Any info app.

I would recommend you do some snake research in your area before you do too much of anything. King snakes are thought to be a "good" snake because they like eat other snakes, especially rattlesnakes ("bad" snake), as well as mice. Go to a hardware store and find some snake repellent. Don't give snakes a good place to gather, like a wood pile, or at least keep it a distance from the house if you have one. There are lots of snakes in parts of Arkansas--you'll find lots near the Mississippi River for instance. I think you just need to do some research and try not to overreact and "kill all snakes". I'm not a fan of snakes but I haven't killed one in years.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

What did snakes ever do to you, ya know, besides leave you alone?? Killing snakes is rude, ignorant and selfish. They wont bother you unless you bother them. Plus, they eat disease-spreading rodents that you definitely dont want around.

sorry, if I have to decide between even seeing a rattle snake or cotton mouth or doing something to keep them away, I will choose the later. We all know they eat rodents, but they can also bite humans.

Nita

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

What did snakes ever do to you, ya know, besides leave you alone?? Killing snakes is rude, ignorant and selfish. They wont bother you unless you bother them. Plus, they eat disease-spreading rodents that you definitely dont want around.

I would rather have snakes any day than diseased rodents. leave the little snakes be, Most are harmless

[arguy1973]

ill leave them alone..as long as they arent near my house, if its poisonous..its dead.

[magrack]

Just so everybody knows (my bold):

Excerpt from:
Snakes of Arkansas: Laws and Status

State Regulations:

State regulations are determined by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC).
Classification

At this time, only Bullfrogs are listed as a game species. All other native herps are considered nongame wildlife.
Killing

The killing of any nongame herp is illegal unless it proves to be an imminent threat to persons or property (i.e. livestock or pets). This applies even to venomous snakes.

Basically, it's against the law to kill snakes in AR.

That being said, I remember a poll taken on ArkansasMatters a few weeks back that indicated 94% of the respondents don't hesitate to kill snakes, or don't agree with the law.

I haven't seen a snake on my property all year (4+ acres, rural, bordered by woods), but I keep it mowed close, 1" around the house 2" further out.

Snakes don't usually like short grass and stick to places where they can hide and will generally attempt to "run". (I find that funny since they have no legs).

I have run across bad tempered snakes a couple, three times (water moccasins in particular), but usually, if you give them an out, they'll take it.

One vote for no big deal on snakes in AR.