2022 caught 20 , 2023 #22 - #27, 2024, #28-29, #30 Caught

j.w

I Love my Goldies
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
33,352
Reaction score
20,525
Location
Arlington, Washington
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
USDA 8a
Country
United States
Can you post again where you got your snake trap or the best method that worked? Garter snakes are becoming a problem this year again... I don't care about the little ones, but some of them get huge gorging on baby goldfish or mosquito fish until they are large enough to catch the big goldfish, then they drag the big fish out of the pond but they are too big to swallow so they leave them to die. They even got one this year that I previously rescued by pulling it out of a giant garter snake's mouth a couple of years ago. Unfortunately capturing them involves happening to see unusually large snakes near the pond and being able to step on or net them so they can be stuffed in a can and relocated.
Oh no is this what I have to look forward to w/my smaller garter snakes that are hanging around my pond? I'm in Washington and thought I was safe but if they can haul them out and then leave them to die I will not be happy!
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,577
Reaction score
29,433
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
We have garter snakes, rat snakes, never seen them even close to the pond.

Water snakes different story
 

j.w

I Love my Goldies
Joined
Feb 1, 2010
Messages
33,352
Reaction score
20,525
Location
Arlington, Washington
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
USDA 8a
Country
United States
We have garter snakes, rat snakes, never seen them even close to the pond.

Water snakes different story
I have seen my garter snakes jump in my pond and swim after frogs, at least I thought it was for frogs. Now I'm thinking they could be after fish also. Not sure they ever catch them but they do swim for them.
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,577
Reaction score
29,433
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
From watching the snakes, they catch by stealth. Not swimming speed. Watched more than one chase fish with mouth open. Never caught any. BUT hiding in the ex forest of hornwort, they snagged fish.

I yanked out tons of hornwort, until snakes are gone. Just pulled out more. Have some left but not the forest.
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,577
Reaction score
29,433
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
#29 caught
20240620_090932.jpg
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
13,922
Reaction score
10,961
Location
Ct
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
@addy1 I think it might be time to look for a half dozen koi that have outgrown their ponds . There's always a handful available each year and that way snakes go hungry as they can't eat jumbo koi
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,577
Reaction score
29,433
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
Lol no thanks, I love my non disturbed lilies.

And cross breeding between koi and goldfish.
Over population will come
 
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
13,922
Reaction score
10,961
Location
Ct
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
Lol no thanks, I love my non disturbed lilies.

And cross breeding between koi and goldfish.
Over population will come
NOPE YOU GOT SNAKES TO CONTROL THAT SITUATION
 

addy1

water gardener / gold fish and shubunkins
Moderator
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
44,577
Reaction score
29,433
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Showcase(s):
1
Hardiness Zone
6b
Country
United States
NOPE YOU GOT SNAKES TO CONTROL THAT SITUATION
Not that many anymore. And so far they are small, the snakes.

Removed their hunting hiding spots, don't think they are doing as well.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads


Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
31,155
Messages
513,113
Members
13,396
Latest member
Adsy1997

Latest Threads

Top