Bugs, Snakes and Critters (Louisville, Grayson: home, dangerous, garden)

[mwjjpp]

Just wondering what kinds of poisonous or pesky bugs, snakes and critters are in the western KY region?
Considering a relocate and I always like to get an idea of the more practical daily annoyances, as well as the rest in an area. The area I'm from has mostly Brown Recluse spiders and Rattlesnakes to bite the kids, and a variety of mice, moles, gophers, etc., to eat the garden...

Thanks to any responders!

[louky]

i grew up in a small town in western ky. my childhood home was located on a hill, which was known as "copperhead hill". growing up i would run all over the woods surrounding my house, but nowadays i'm terrified of snakes. even a picture of them makes me uncomfortable.

one time a man came into the bank i was working at and he had been bitten by a copperhead. his hand was deformed and i became nauseous and dizzy. i had to exuse myself to the bathroom where i doused my face with water to keep from passing out.

i never told the people i worked with what happened to me that day.

[CatManDoo]

There are 4 types of poisonous snakes in Kentucky: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattler, pygmy rattler. The pygmy rattler population is totally concentrated down in the Land Between The Lakes region. The others are statewide. Copperheads are the biggest concern. Spiderwise, we've got plenty of brown recluses, especially in the western part of the state. Luckily they're not nearly as dangerous as the black widow, of which we have zero. Other than that, we've got your normal garden variety mosquitos, wasps, hornets, bees, mice, moles, gophers, etc.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by CatManDoo

There are 4 types of poisonous snakes in Kentucky: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattler, pygmy rattler. The pygmy rattler population is totally concentrated down in the Land Between The Lakes region. The others are statewide. Copperheads are the biggest concern. Spiderwise, we've got plenty of brown recluses, especially in the western part of the state. Luckily they're not nearly as dangerous as the black widow, of which we have zero. Other than that, we've got your normal garden variety mosquitos, wasps, hornets, bees, mice, moles, gophers, etc.

I was told by a herpetologist at the zoo that the cottonmouths are only found in the Land between the Lakes region. We also had someone from that area's nature center bring a snake up for surgery who told me the same thing .

[CatManDoo]

Originally Posted by missymomof3

I was told by a herpetologist at the zoo that the cottonmouths are only found in the Land between the Lakes region. We also had someone from that area's nature center bring a snake up for surgery who told me the same thing .

They're mistaken. I've seen one in Grayson County. They are concentrated in the western part of the state though. I was wrong when I said statewide.

[missymomof3]

It could be that they are spreading out. I hope not lol I am not afraid of snakes but would like to avoid the venemous ones.

[louky]

the western cottonmouth can be found in much, if not all of western kentucky. one would have little trouble finding the snake north of LBL in counties such as hopkins, henderson, union, or webster. in fact, with it's aggressive nature, you may not have to look very hard, the "water moccasin" may find you.

[missymomof3]

Water moccasin is what I have always called it myself. Some people tend to assume any snake that is in the water is a water moccasin but that is more than likely not true.

[jakbeau]

Ut oh. I relocated to Louisville in June from south Jersey. Do y'all mean I have to be careful of snakes if I go to lake recreation areas within say 35 mi. of the Ville?

[CatManDoo]

Originally Posted by jakbeau

Ut oh. I relocated to Louisville in June from south Jersey. Do y'all mean I have to be careful of snakes if I go to lake recreation areas within say 35 mi. of the Ville?

If you're out in nature in Kentucky in the spring and summer, ALWAYS be on the lookout for copperheads. Don't be paranoid, but don't be stupid either. Copperheads generally strike because you startled them, so watch where you step, especially around logs and rocks and rummage piles...anywhere they can hide. And definitely do go reaching around those areas. I wouldn't worry too much about cottonmouths and pygmies. Timber rattlers are in the Louisville area, but I've never seen one. Copperheads are the ones you really have to be careful of. They probably won't kill you, but from what I've heard, their bites hurt like a sumb*tch.