Snake at the helm

philwsailz · Oct 17, 2012

Know an Irish piper?

Wow, scary. I know there are those little snake repellent cubes you can get like at the local mega-home-improvement store in the lawn and garden section... I often wonder if they are not just moth balls, but anyway, I would try that...

Many years ago I was fishing with two friends. One was holding the other's infant daughter. A small, (10") snake was approaching the infant and friend, so I simply reached down to pick it up. I went to put it in the nearest container I had, (empty beer bottle) and when I went to put its head in, the fangs hung up on the lip of the bottle.... Small copperhead..... I had a cramp in my hands for weeks from squeezing that thing so tight trying to aasphyxiate it, and trying to make sure it didn't get its fangs in me..

Copperheads are mean. They WILL chase you and are agressive. Be careful...

redhead78 · Oct 17, 2012

Use camphor , or moth balls in a plastic bag and pulverize them and sprinkle them where u think he is coming and going. Red

Sail123 · Oct 17, 2012

I would like to represent the snake in this situation. I would think, calm heads would mean all parties can keep theirs. The snake was equally surprised and repelled at the sight of a human wondering about.

By the time you have lunch and return to the boat, the snake should be long gone and never seen again.

If you two do cross paths again, a long stick like a broom handle can be used to gently remove the snake. The snake will not harm your boat and he/she was keeping the mice off your boat that do foul things up big time.

The snake has been going you a favor, so be polite to your boat guest and not harm her.

philwsailz · Oct 17, 2012

Sail123 said:
I would like to represent the snake in this situation. I would think, calm heads would mean all parties can keep theirs. The snake was equally surprised and repelled at the sight of a human wondering about.

By the time you have lunch and return to the boat, the snake should be long gone and never seen again.

If you two do cross paths again, a long stick like a broom handle can be used to gently remove the snake. The snake will not harm your boat and he/she was keeping the mice off your boat that do foul things up big time.

The snake has been going you a favor, so be polite to your boat guest and not harm her.

I will largely agree with you in most circumstances, but per the OP's comment this is supposedly a copperhead, a poisonous member of the Pit Viper family which includes all North American rattlesnakes, and is very aggressive. If it truly is a copperhead, he does not want it around his house!

Phil Herring · Oct 17, 2012

Sell boat. Move north.

Joe11688 · Oct 17, 2012

I would rent a Mongoose and stick him in the boat with the snake and let those two go at it.

justsomeguy · Oct 17, 2012

Use a loop on a longish stick, with a screw-eye in the end. Works fine on the diamondbacks here, and doesn't kill them.

Shoaldrafter · Oct 17, 2012

moth balls

redhead78 said:
Use camphor , or moth balls in a plastic bag and pulverize them and sprinkle them where u think he is coming and going. Red

Moth balls are known to be an irritant to snakes and
small mamals. Also, moth ball flakes are sold. Be
genererous...

How are you going to find out if he is gone? Inquiring
minds want to know.

Ed K

Ward H · Oct 17, 2012

I'd have to burn the boat. Admiral would never set foot into it again. Almost happened to the house a few years back. Luckily I was able to shoot and remove it. Been 10 years and she hasn't been back in that room once. Still calls it the "Snake Room"

soldier1964 · Oct 17, 2012

I agree with ward. bye bye boat

dont mind eating some every now and then but I have a true fear of them. even gardner snakes. if it came down to it, Id use one of those claw things that some seniors use to get items off a shelf or something. good luck with whatever you do...

anchorclanker · Oct 17, 2012

A Copperhead isn't (generally) aggressive unless cornered, they behave more like a gartner snake, least the ones I have seen. But you absolutely do not want to get bit by one. I would carefully open all compartments, doors, drawers, cabinets, and bomb the boat with a bug bomb. That should kill it. But you will still have to find it.

I'm curious how it got into the boat. They don't climb trees, so it didn't drop in.

CalebD · Oct 17, 2012

This is hilarious, if a bit scary!!!

Are you sure it is a copperhead? How long?
If it is big enough to eat small mammals I'll suggest you go and collect some recent road kill; squirrels, chipmunks or larger if you think the snake could swallow it.
Snakes have a pretty keen sense of smell with their tongues. If you left some road kill near the trailer/boat the snake might be interested in checking out a possible meal and leave your boat.
I also think that noise and vibrations would induce the snake to leave on it's own. You could set up a shop vac on the foredeck, poke the hose into the forward hatch or companionway and leave it for a few hours.
I also like the idea of dumping moth balls, or camphor in there as the smell alone might drive the snake out. Load the cabin up with stink and give it a day. It'll be gone in 24 hours.

No guaranties but worth trying before you use a bug bomb inside your boat. Why poison yourself too?

Then move north.

fireman416 · Oct 18, 2012

I agree with the bag of moth balls approach. Just get up close enough and pound the little bastard until he retreats or is on his way to copper head heaven. I m sorry but I don't like snakes and Im sure they don't care much for me. Yes I know they have a purpose in this world but so do politicians and I don't wan them on my boat either....spiders are high on my hit list as well

anchorclanker · Oct 18, 2012

Baiting it might take a while. If it has just had a meal it could be weeks before its hungry again, especially if the weather is cool. And they prefer live animals, so some kind of live trap might work, if you want to wait it out. Again, I am more concerned with how it got into the boat, and if there is more than one.

I would put on some gear to make myself snake proof. Some heavy boots, jeans, heavy jacket, gloves, and start making a methodical search "carefully" opening compartments, probing with a long stick or rod. I would also look for internal access to any of those compartments where the snake could get in or out. Its gotta be in there somewhere.

Shoaldrafter · Oct 18, 2012

Snakes alive! Its gotta be in there somewhere.

anchorclanker said:
Baiting it might take a while. If it has just had a meal it could be weeks before its hungry again, especially if the weather is cool. And they prefer live animals, so some kind of live trap might work, if you want to wait it out. Again, I am more concerned with how it got into the boat, and if there is more than one.

I would put on some gear to make myself snake proof. Some heavy boots, jeans, heavy jacket, gloves, and start making a methodical search "carefully" opening compartments, probing with a long stick or rod. I would also look for internal access to any of those compartments where the snake could get in or out. Its gotta be in there somewhere.

--------------- // -----------------------

Robert,

We are waiting on your reply...

How many more have you found?

How are you going to look into some of
places under the cabin liner?

Have you considered a 'Rock Band'?

Ed K

caguy · Oct 18, 2012

Even if he does leave on his own, how can you ever know for sure. I'm with your wife on this one.

Merlin Clark · Oct 18, 2012

I'd set a dozen or so rat traps. The big mean spring kind that just about chops the rat in half.
You'll know if/when you get it and we can say kind things about the little bastard after he's buried.

added: you can tie each trap to something to make sure it stays near to where it's set. Maybe add some sticky traps too.

Joe11688 · Oct 19, 2012

merlinuxo said:
I'd set a dozen or so rat traps. The big mean spring kind that just about chops the rat in half.
You'll know if/when you get it and we can say kind things about the little bastard after he's buried.

added: you can tie each trap to something to make sure it stays near to where it's set. Maybe add some sticky traps too.

I'll second that one. Too funny! I'd throw him overboard.

I think I'd be more concerned with how he managed to get on board in the first place. Did he crawl on board via a ramp from the dock? Was the boat moored near a tree with a low hanging branch, or did some nice fellow who doesn't like sailboaters throw him into the boat?

I wouldn't get rid of my boat because of a snake on board. What are the chances of this ever happening again?

I've heard of squirrels swimming in a river and getting on board sailboats via the mooring pendant line but never a poisonous snake.

kpgraci · Oct 19, 2012

This is a tough one. I'd say hire a professional that has experience with snake removal. How many nooks and crannies do you think there are for a frightened snake to hide in? Left alone it may leave (how much food aka mice are on your boat?) but without a body count I would never stick my hand under the bunks again. I was upset when wasps built a nest somewhere under the cockpit (I still need to deal with them) but this is way worse. Good luck.

Snake at the helm

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