Snakes in Northern states

16 years ago

Much to my surprise I found a snake a forth for the season trapped in the garden netting. The last four to five years I have lost many bluebirds because

of Black Racer snakes. 20 bluebird chicks were saved and my population of

bluebirds is once again growing. And am very confident that this is the end

of my problems. Racoons,Fisher. No problems box's deep with Noel wire

back in the 1990's I lost 10% due to snakes. from 1999 to present the % of lost

due to snakes was 50% I will even double rap poles with even more mesh

if this means no more snakes. I am so happy after spending a good amount of money on PVC for snake protection (it never worked) the netting is ideal and

cheap (save many bluebirds invest in Garden netting.) Snakes alive are let go miles away from bluebirds. I dont hate snakes just dont want them eating my bluebirds for a fast easy meal.

Ray

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Comments (7)

bluebirdbabe
16 years ago
Good job saving the bluebirds. Will u post a pic of ur set up with the net??? I dont have problems with snakes, but ya never know when I might need it. Thanks!!

Karen
rayinri
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Karen
I have no clue how to post pictures on this forum. If you research on some web
pages it may show the netting its also called the Kuger snake trap. I have lost so many bluebirds in 20 years of conservation work to snakes i feel no guilt
they have had more than a lion's share. And i did try to protect with PVC but that did work the netting probably will insure I continue at least for a few more
years now that the poor birds are on the rebound. In any southern snake invested state. Trust me they will find your baby bluebirds and will eat them
The black Rat & Bull snakes. The black Rat is very rare here in South Eastern
NE. But they to are around. And have taken Bluebirds. Any old field with large rocks is home to snakes. Dont be fooled if you dont see them there out
at night. It took many years and different kinds of pipes and trash cans to protect my birds but the number one predator gaurd is the netting on the post. It so shocking you will be passing the word on to many Nest box managers in your community and across the country, Many Martin landlords
are years ahead of us with this management trick in the south. I will never wonder what happen to my bluebirds? The snake population was growing
on my nest box trail NOT ANY MORE...........Ray
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kendra2003
16 years ago
I know the netting works great, and a lot of people use it. But I would be too afraid of the snake to remove it, so I use the wobbling stovepipe guard. It has worked for me. You are so right Ray that those snakes are around even if you don't see them. I thought I saw an old tire on the edge of my neighbor's lawn. Upon closer inspection, it was a very large black rat snake. I'm up in the northeast, so they are around.
rayinri
Original Author
16 years ago
I have a fear of snakes as well but, I know there are baby bluebirds in that box
and hungry I set my fear a side and do what i have to for those birds.. I have trapped a few snakes alive. If i get bitten thats the chance i take. And they
do strike at you! One less snake is 10 more bluebird chicks....Thats how i see it.
Will see my numbers next year and if the population grows. I think I'm going
to be very happy. snakes trapped in 07 were snake free in 08,09! And still
have bluebird pairs now three years. Not a major problem But every bluebird
counts. If turkey vultures find the snakes they leave nothing but bones.
And the bluebirds dont mind the vultures under the box.
bluebirdbabe
16 years ago
I am extremely scared of snakes. I have only seen gartner and ribbon snakes in my yard. I have a wobbling baffle (stove pipe) on all my boxes. But I will do what ever it takes 2 keep my bluebirds safe. I live in Michigan r black rat snakes in Michigan??? YIKES!!!!

Karen
rayinri
Original Author
16 years ago
Karen The black rat snake is common in central and southern Michigan
The black Racer Is common in the entire state of Michigan and is the biggest
problem for northern landlords all snakes trapped here have been Black Racer snakes. And there very big I have found some hit by cars as big as four feet.
The Black Rat is slower and is just Black here. The racer is grey.... and very fast
once seen they bullet to cover and hide. The Black rat will stand his ground and
not run. I found a Black rat just before he was going to eat a grounded fledgling
bluebird The calls the bluebirds make send out a signal to snakes (here I am)
They have no clue how dangerous there calls really are.
Ray
hannah_md
16 years ago
I have put cut chicken wire, used as a baffle around some of my bluebird house poles. The jagged edges of the wire seems to deter snakes from climbing over the sharp edges to get to the bb house. This is an experiment of mine, but I haven't had any snakes get to those boxes. This is just a thought.