Do you know how to drive a snake from a summer cottage?
In the midst of garden work, unexpected guests often "crawl" into the territory of a country house. To protect ourselves and our family, consider how to drive snakes from a summer cottage competently and without sacrifice. Although these animals are attractive in their own way, when meeting a person, they behave in an unpredictable manner. Sometimes snakes just crawl away to a secluded place. But there are also tragedies that have a sad outcome. What are the reasons for the penetration of reptiles into human possessions? What do uninvited guests look like? What are the proven options for how to drive the snakes from the summer cottage?
Looking for a place in the sun
Similarly, snakes end up on the territory of country houses, especially if next to them are located:
- forest;
- lake;
- abandoned estates;
- wastelands overgrown with grass and bushes.
In search of food, reptiles involuntarily crawl into "private" territory, where it is full of exquisite prey. Typically, snakes feed on:
- eggs;
- rodents;
- large insects;
- birds.
All these components can be found in abundance from farmers, who are often bred chickens or pigeons. In addition, no home is safe from the presence of mice, a favorite delicacy of creeping creatures. So snakes appear in the country, which are fighting for a place in the sun. Most often, animals settle in compost or garbage pits. They can be found in thickets of shrubs that are rarely removed. Sometimes creatures are accidentally brought in with building materials. Let's take a closer look at the dangerous guests.
Varieties of reptiles in the middle lane
There are dozens of species of reptiles in nature. Some live in the tropics. Others are in the desert. The inhabitants of the middle lane are interested in snakes that live in forests or water bodies near summer cottages.
These include:
- yellow-bellied snake (the largest snake in Europe, reaches 2 m in length, brown or black, yellow belly);
- Copperhead (adult length about 70 cm, light brown color);
- already (the hallmark of the animal is yellow spots on the head);
- common viper (has a pattern on the body, is painted gray or brown);
- Nikolsky's viper (black solid color).
The first 3 varieties do not pose a mortal danger to humans. After a bite, several scars will remain on the body, and a vivid impression and stress in the head. They usually eat small rodents and frogs. Therefore, such guests may even benefit by freeing the area from pests. As for the vipers, these are the very animals to stay away from.
The most aggressive reptiles are in early spring when they lay their eggs and molt.
Proven ways to chase snakes from a summer cottage
Despite its formidable appearance, the viper is a rather shy creature. When meeting a person, she tries to quickly go home. Only, as a last resort, does the animal show aggression and bite the “enemy”. We will learn how to protect a summer cottage from snakes in the most humane way.
The presence of external factors
Sometimes, in order to get rid of uninvited guests, you don't need to invent a "bicycle".
Reptiles do not like the pungent scents they exude:
- garlic;
- dry mustard;
- remnants of bonfires;
- chemical substances.
These simple remedies for snakes will help protect the territory of the dacha from dangerous "visitors". Besides, the hectic activity of people creates a lot of noise. For example, roar lawn mowers, loud voices and music from the receiver. Such "decibels" are unlikely to please the creeping "neighbors".
If small thorny animals appear in the country, you need to give them a warm welcome. Since hedgehogs are the worst enemies of snakes, why not take them to your service. It's much more fun to fight the enemy together.
Don't forget about your pets. Dogs usually behave aggressively when meeting snakes. Therefore, reptiles will not dare to invade the territory where their potential enemies live.
Sometimes snakes do attack cats or dogs, so you need to be vigilant.
Artificial fence
In ancient times, walls were built around settlements. They reliably protected cities from potential enemies. The same tactics can be used to protect your domain from dangerous reptiles. A fence is being erected around the entire perimeter of the summer cottage. For business, a galvanized steel mesh is used. The cell diameter should be approximately 6 mm. The height of the fence is made at least 80 cm. The lower part is deepened into the soil by about 15-20 cm. The supports are placed on the side of the plot so that the animal does not use it as a connecting bridge.
It is advisable to regularly mow the grass along the fence and check for cracks or foreign objects.
Use of "heavy artillery"
If external factors do not help, and a creeping animal is found on the territory, drastic measures are taken. There is a simple way to scare away snakes from a summer cottage using modern devices.
They are sold in specialized stores and are:
- ultrasonic;
- vibrating;
- sound.
Their principle of operation resembles devices for catching small rodents. Typically, the device is selected based on the type of reptile found. Place snake scarers in the country so that the animals leave the territory cultivated by humans forever.
Effective "chemical weapons"
The well-known proverb "In war, all means are good" is also suitable in the fight against creeping "neighbors". Of course, no one wants to kill such cute animals. However, people have to use all kinds of snake repellents for personal safety. Specialized retail outlets sell chemicals containing sulfur and naphthalene. They are often in the form of granules or powder. According to the instructions, the substance is laid out on the site, hoping to scare off the reptile from the site.
Unfortunately, even small precipitation will quickly neutralize the drug. Therefore, the procedure has to be repeated all over and over again.
Experts do not recommend placing repellents next to the discovered burrows of creepers. Due to the rich smell, they will not be able to leave their hiding place and will eventually die. In addition, there are also natural repellents. Scientists say that snakes are afraid of the smoke from smoking and fox urine. The suspected sites are being treated with pepper-based substances. An effective remedy is cat litter mixed with mothballs.
If necessary, you can use snake poison, which is freely available in stores.
Homemade traps
A wonderful way to scare away reptiles from a summer cottage are traps that you make with your own hands. Often they do not kill the animal, but only restrict movement. For example, to create such a fixture, you need a piece of plywood and double-sided glue paper. Paper is glued to the wooden base and the trap is ready. It is placed on the proposed site where the snake was seen. Crawling along a familiar path, the animal will surely fall into a trap.All that remains is to send the uninvited guest to a safe place. To free a reptile from "captivity", it is enough to water its body with vegetable oil.
It is advisable to use such traps for people who do not have a panic fear of snakes.
Having figured out how to drive the snakes from the summer cottage, we understand how delicate this process is. It's nice that dogs, hedgehogs and cats can be involved in the fight against intruders. Use scarers, music and lawn mower roar effectively. Do-it-yourself traps and chemical repellents will help.
It is also important to take precautions. Knee-length rubber shoes should be worn in the garden. Look carefully under your feet so as not to accidentally step on the snake. Under no circumstances should you catch an animal with your bare hands, do not poke it with a stick or try to kill it. Most often, the snake will hastily hide in the green thickets. Let's take care of our smaller "brothers".