Water Snake - Need to evict!

[Chocaholic]

I live on a lake in NE Georgia. Over the last month or two we've seen a water snake around our dock on 2 or 3 occasions (swimming). Yesterday I discovered where he's living. I have a floating jet ski lift attached to the dock. I slid the ski off the lift and there he was, curled up in one of the wells that hold one of the rollers that support the ski. As the lift raised and the water drained, he squirmed around and took off via the low end of the lift into the lake.

He's about 3 feet long, fairly thick in the body and somewhat colorful with reddish/brownish diamonds going down his back. Most likely it's a Northern Water Snake (non-venomous), but could just as easily be a Cottonmouth (Water Mocassin...venomous). The NWS is supposed to be fairly common around here, but without close examination of eye-shape (ain't gonna happen), it's hard to know for sure.

I've used mothballs (naphthaline) around the dock, but perhaps not in the right areas since I didn't know where he was hanging out. Last night after putting the ski back on the lift, I put 4 or 5 mothballs around the periphery. Will pull the ski off later today to see if he's back.

Any other suggestions for getting rid of this fella? I thought of being ready with a garden how and clobber the thing, but I don't want to bust a hole in my floating ski lift (about $2000 to replace).

Thanks!

[Chocaholic]

Here's a pic of what our visitor looks like. I'm reasonably sure it's a Northern Water Snake:

[Drdogface]

How about 22 or 22 mag bird shot? Would that trash your ski lift?

[ben parrish]

There is not really any way to get them to leave other than constantly bothering them or killing them. Other than giving you the heebie geevies, what is he hurting? He will keep mice from taking up residence around your dock. I also do not like snakes and any snake is dangerous to me because I will hurt myself trying to get away but I won't kill a non-poisonous snake.
When approached, does he disappear quickly or hold his ground. A cotton mouth will hold their ground often and if antagonized, will sometimes charge you with their mouth wide open.
By the way, where in NE Ga? I live just outside of Clayton.

Ben

[stomachmonkey]

It's like I tell my wife when she finds a spider in the house. "He's here because there is food" "Either deal with him or whatever he is eating, your choice"

Can you ask animal control to come by and identify?

If it's not poisonous let him be.

[ben parrish]

Here is a good site. http://www.animalsbgone.com
Also, depending on where you are in North Ga, Cotton mouths are not generally found above Lake Lanier. Look at the University of Ga site on snakes.

Ben

[Chocaholic]

We're on Lake Hartwell not far off of I-85 and Hwy 77. I've heard that Cottonmouths are in the area but not prevalent. The one time I got even close to this one was yesterday when I slid the ski off the lift. He didn't seem to hold his ground, just slithered around a bit trying to get away. The ski lift is some sort of composite (plastic), so I wouldn't expect it to withstand much if any impact.

I asked a DNR cop about it, and he said it's doubtful that it's venomous, but still can be aggressive if provoked. Won't kill you, but will hurt like hell. Still undesireable. Am I wasting my time with naphthalene?

[Tim Hancock]

Once he slithers off into the water, can't you blast him with a shot gun then? I assume he stays on top of the water, so maybe you can chase him on the jet ski and whack him with a shovel or something. Sounds like a fun challenge to me.

[sammyg2]

Iffn it were me, I'd move someplace where they don't have those. Ewwwwwww.
I don't like spiders and snakes. They should make a song out of that.

[carnutzzz]

I like snakes. I also really like lake houses.

I think I better get up there soon and I'll take care of it for you in exchange for room and board!

[Bob's Flat-Six]

I'd just call animal control or maybe even the local fire department ? and ask them....you know they have got a call on these before.

I saw a program where all these new home owners in Arizona were having to deal with rattle snakes. Lot's of people move there from the city, so cal, etc.
The fire department gets calls all the time in the season.
It showed them going out on a call for a big rattler in a new home owners back yard. The fireman just put a loop around it on a pole and walked over to the the guys back fence and dropped it over...the homeowners jaw dropped to the ground. They told him he needs to learn to be aware of them and take precautions and Welcome to Arizona.

[Mule]

Not a cottonmouth. They are almost black. Simple id tips, arrow shaped head & stubby tail, stay clear.

[Chocaholic]

A little research indicates that they tend to make their home where there's an ample supply of food. That ski lift is the perfect place. We always find blue-gills in those two roller troughs and have to toss them in the lake when the water drains after removing the ski. All the snake has to do is lay in wait as his food swims right into his lair.

I removed the ski from the lift today and he was not there. Perhaps the Naphthaline actually does help (there was one small blue-gill though). I'm going to keep the ski off the lift for a week or two so that it's out of the water and exposed. No food, no shelter, and the smell of naphthalene. Hopefully that will send him packing to find a new home.

Although it's a longshot, a friend was leaving our dock late yesterday and saw the snake (assuming it was the same one) swimming across the lake. He proceeded to drive his boat across his path each time his head popped up. After the last time, we didn't see him pop up anywhere. Again, it's a longshot, but perhaps the prop on his boat did him in. Wishful thinking, but no sign of the feller today.

No way I'd ever move from this place because of a little wild-life. Lake living is highly recommended!

[Rick Lee]

Buy some CA King snakes. They eat other snakes and are non-venomous. But then I guess you're back to sq. one.

[WolfeMacleod]

Some snakes are good eatin'.
Don't know about that one though. But Rattlesnake...

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by WolfeMacleod

Some snakes are good eatin'.
Don't know about that one though. But Rattlesnake...

Rattlesnake is amazing, best in kabobs with wolf. j/k

[356racing]

I suppose water skiing is out of vogue these days but back in the day we used to beat those water moccasins to death with the back of a ski.

[Chocaholic]

Plenty of slalom skiiers on the lake around here. I took up wake boarding a couple years ago and really enjoy that. Never thought of it as a weapon against undesireables though. Where we live is on fairly open water. I've never seen a snake until this one. I know people in small quiet coves who see them on rare occasions. . .turtles too. This guy just decided he likes my jet ski lift I guess. I think I've messed up his deal...so hopefully he's off to greener pastures. I even put an owl "scarecrow" on the dock to add further discouragement.

[Chocaholic]

Here's a pic of the area in question. Plenty of open water for him to seek out a new pad...

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

The snakes were there before yall. Non-venomous, leave 'em alone or encourage them to leave peacefully, learn to live with them. Venomous, kill them quickly!!

One more thing about mocassins, there is a terrible odor about them, something akin to rotten eggs.