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I've got to do some clearing of overgrown rural lot.
Before I brush hog I'm going to need to remove downed debris ( branches and twigs) below the oaks pines and other hardwoods on my lot.
How do I avoid getting bit when reaching to pickup the fallen tree debris. I've thought of buying one of those extended devices that people use to pick up litter but not sure that it could handle twigs and branches.
Any suggestions?
What part of Georgia are you living in? Just asking because, if in North Georgia and can wait until it frosts and cools down problem solved, snakes will find a hole until spring.
When I was staying in South Carolina temporarily for work, I used to drive by signs that advertised snake treatments for your property.
I guess someone will come out and spray snake repellent everywhere.
If that’s too expensive for you, I’m sure you can find some DIY options,
That’s what I would try first. Of course, when it came time to start picking everything up, I’d then wear protective clothing. Thick gloves, protective sleeves and pants, and boots.
Location: When you take flak it means you are on target
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Just watch what you pick up. Wear gloves and boots. You can get snake chaps. We use some kind of stick like a 2x4 to flip things like plywood over. We used to find some enormous scorpions under old plywood left laying in wet brush. Never found a snake though.
Down in the Everglades the Rangers wear metal armor up to their thighs for snakes and gators.
I got bit by a cottonmouth in Florida. It was under a stack of pilings we were moving with a crane. I was standing about a foot away and felt something hit my boot, looked down to see it going back under the logs. The foreman was right next to me and said, "You just got bit by a snake!" Yeah no --it sherlock...
We free spooled a piling onto the stack and then very gingerly lifted them. We found a very squished cottonmouth about 5 ft long. I was young then. Now I try to avoid having to kill snakes and prefer to relocate them.
I was wearing heavy leather work boots and it hit me on the instep area. It didn't leave venom, I think it realized I wasn't edible.
I still remember years ago when doing some ROTC training on Ft Bragg NC. We were doing a map reading/orienteering course when someone in the team ahead of us was jumping around and seemed to be kicking and poking something with the butt of his M-14. His team mates were standing around laughing. Turns out a snake had struck out as he passed by and bit his jungle boots. The snake had gotten his fangs stuck in the thick nylon material of the boot and was thrashing around trying to get his fangs out to strike again. He was trying to stomp on it or kill it with his rifle butt. Someone on our team told him to stand still pinned it with a rifle butt grabbed it behind the head jerked the head away from the boot and after holding it up to estimate the length (about 5') whipped around and flung it off into the swamp we were on the edge of.
Muck boots. All day long. I wear mine for everything. I’d say if you’re doing that much clearing, all the commotion *should* chase things away, but its not 100%.
Easier said than done but, be cautious, alert, and aware.
You could use a bucket on a tractor and drag the branches together, or rent a bobcat with a grapple. Drive around awhile and stir things up with the tractor and the snakes will exit. You might be able to use a landscape rake on your 3 point and drag the stuff around and then load it by hand. Also, a 3 point field cultivator might work.
I've got to do some clearing of overgrown rural lot.
Before I brush hog I'm going to need to remove downed debris ( branches and twigs) below the oaks pines and other hardwoods on my lot.
How do I avoid getting bit when reaching to pickup the fallen tree debris. I've thought of buying one of those extended devices that people use to pick up litter but not sure that it could handle twigs and branches.
Any suggestions?
A lot depends on the lot. If the lot is stony and has lots of snake habitat I can understand the concern. If the ecosystem around the area is functional, there are critters that resolve most of the problem for you. I rarely see a snake around here, and usually it is just a big ol' black snake. A roofing crew claimed to have killed a moc', but I suspect that they brought it in dead on a truck as a practical joke. Interest died down when I wasn't particularly concerned.
If you remember the old stories about snakes, over half of them end with it being hit with a hoe. The reason for that is a strong garden hoe is a durned good probe and mover of ground clutter that saves your back. Killing snakes is just a side benefit. A three prong tilling fork is next best as a tool. I usually use both.
If you are doing clearing, work your way into it so that you have just the front to be concerned about. Intersperse some loud chain saw cutting of the debris and most animals of all sorts get the idea of moving away from the activity.
You are much more likely to have problems with chiggers, spiders, ticks and fire ants than snakes. I always wear leggings tucked into socks when doing such work. Before that, my legs often ended up looking like a I had a fresh case of pox, and were itchy for two weeks. (Chigger bite itch lasts at least a week and is miserable.)
If you aren't used to the work, end each day with an aspirin and a couple capsules of magnesium asporotate or other small magnesium source, and a large coke. It'll keep your muscles from getting as inflamed and stiff.
I do have 'snake guards' brand gaiters that are like these but my concern is avoiding hand/arm bites when gathering wood.
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