First copperhead spotted on my property (house, live, moving)

[anifani821]

Well, we knew we had copperheads around here, as we have woods in the back . . . and we found a copperhead crawling across the street in front of our house (last year). But today I encountered one and can't believe how ignorant the whole thing was . . . b/c I had run outside BAREFOOTED wh/ I NEVER DO - to help DH carry some office supplies in the house. And as I turned around to run back up the front steps - DH yelled out - STOP STOP!!! and there in front of me - not a foot from my bare feet - was a copperhead.

Dear me. I know better than to run around w/o shoes.

Do be careful.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Well, we knew we had copperheads around here, as we have woods in the back . . . and we found a copperhead crawling across the street in front of our house (last year). But today I encountered one and can't believe how ignorant the whole thing was . . . b/c I had run outside BAREFOOTED wh/ I NEVER DO - to help DH carry some office supplies in the house. And as I turned around to run back up the front steps - DH yelled out - STOP STOP!!! and there in front of me - not a foot from my bare feet - was a copperhead.

Dear me. I know better than to run around w/o shoes.

Do be careful.

ANI!! I will have nightmares now!!!

Tell that hubby of yours you need an outside cat

[LilyLaLa]

Yikes!
I can't imagine not running barefoot, in such nice hot weather.

(I hate to ask this but...)
Do they get into the house?


Is there any way to repel them...short of keeping a mongoose or pack of wild dogs?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by LilyLaLa

Yikes!
I can't imagine not running barefoot, in such nice hot weather.

(I hate to ask this but...)
Do they get into the house?


Is there any way to repel them...short of keeping a mongoose or pack of wild dogs?

Yard cats! Seriously...

[LilyLaLa]

Is that what a yard cat is....just a cat that stays outside? Will ANY cat do?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by LilyLaLa

Is that what a yard cat is....just a cat that stays outside? Will ANY cat do?

Yes, to both questions

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by anifani821

Well, we knew we had copperheads around here, as we have woods in the back . . . and we found a copperhead crawling across the street in front of our house (last year). But today I encountered one and can't believe how ignorant the whole thing was . . . b/c I had run outside BAREFOOTED wh/ I NEVER DO - to help DH carry some office supplies in the house. And as I turned around to run back up the front steps - DH yelled out - STOP STOP!!! and there in front of me - not a foot from my bare feet - was a copperhead.

Dear me. I know better than to run around w/o shoes.

Do be careful.

Sooooo.....finish the story!!! WHAT DID YOU DO??

[anifani821]

ROFL!!!

Well, as you know, snakes do not freak me out typically, but this time, w/ bare feet and not paying attention - it did rattle me. What is so bad - both DH and I were holding office supplies so our hands were full - carrying bags.

Last nite, instead of taking our lawn tools in, I had placed what I call a "spade" next to the garage door. It is like a blade on a long handle, and we used it in Kansas to break up ice - and here we use it to dig down to put edging in around flower beds. So I remembered it was sitting outside against the door. So I yelled for DH to hurry and get it. Meanwhile, I backed up and laid my stuff down on the sidewalk beside DH's plastic bags full of stuff.

The snake was moving very slowly and went from the sidewalk and started climbing up the steps to the porch. By the time DH had retrieved the "spade" - the snake (wh/ was less than a foot long) was wriggling across the top two steps. DH used the spade like a guillotine, but it would not cut the head off - the snake of course got angry, Hee Hee (who wouldn't).

Meanwhile, DS calls on my cell and I tell him what is going on and he is A. giving me a lecture about running around barefooted and B. reminding me that when there is one - there are more, and that Miss Scarlett and I can no longer take walkies in the woods. Hmmmmm.

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by anifani821

DH used the spade like a guillotine, but it would not cut the head off - the snake of course got angry, Hee Hee (who wouldn't).

Meanwhile, DS calls on my cell ...

ARRGH!!! You know how to write a page turner!! SO WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE SNAKE GOT ANGRY?? At the top of your STEPS for Heaven's sake? What? What?

(Apparently YOU lived to tell about it, fortunately) I'd keep that spade sharpened from now on.

[anifani821]

Well, the first strike w/ the blade hit the snake about 1/4 the way down his length. The snake was moving so DH didn't get it right where he was aiming - to cut off the head.

So it took about 12 blows in all. Not easy to kill. I suspect that blade was dull. I am sure it is dull now, after whacking it against brick!!!!!

Now I have a mess to clean up on the porch. ICK. But I am going to wait a while b/f I do it. I usually use cat litter and don't have any right now (no cat). Maybe I will go borrow some from my next door neighbor.