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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] Squirrel control with snakes

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  • From: Kevin Moore <aleguy33@yahoo.com>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Squirrel control with snakes
  • Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 07:30:05 -0700 (PDT)

My recommendation of the rough green snake was for insect control as they are insectivores. They do not eat any mammals as far as I know. Ducks are a far better control, especially for snails and slugs, but may draw unwanted attention from municipal authorities. Of course toads are always nice to have around too.


From: Kieran &/or Donna <holycow@frontiernet.net>
To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:50:35 AM
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Squirrel control with snakes

Kevin,  Alas, I am sorry to say that the rough green snake is only about as big around as my finger.  Not much use for eating squirrels.  They spend their time moving very slowly so as to look like part of the bush or tree they are in.  Not a very lively or interesting snake to have around, though very pretty. 
    Rat snakes, by contrast, do occasionally eat baby squirrels.  I heard a squirrel having fits once in Florida and saw a yellow rat snake slither rapidly  down a branch and launch itself into the air to fall some 15 or 20 feet.  It had a long lump in it that was certainly a baby squirrel, and the mama may have tried to take a nip out of the snake in her distress.  The lump could even have been a whole nest full of newborn squirrels.  Unfortunately these snakes seem to prefer eating eggs, and will happily empty a nest while hardly pausing for breath.  They eat baby birds, they eat our chicken, duck and even goose eggs, and they occasionally kill a hen or duck who happens to be in their way and then try to swallow them head first.  That doesn't work.  I would not choose snakes for squirrel control.    Donna




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