Snakes

[BarbO]

I don't hate snakes. Our yard has a 6' fence all around it with only a few tiny openings to let rain water drain. My new little pond is doing well, with a few little goldfish and one little koi. A few plants getting going in it. But now I have a baby wide band water snake in there also. One fish is missing, a little one. So, do I just learn to accept nature and the wildlife my pond will attract? Do you all have snakes? When we have visitors I think I won't tell them a snake now lives in the pond. Advice on getting used to a snake(s)? Non venomous of course or I would have to take action. I don't hate snakes, but I sure don't want it in my pond.....

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I don't hate snakes, but I sure don't want it in my pond.....

Snakes are great, and I wish I had them by my pond.

However, I understand that it can be a bit frustrating losing fish. Otherwise, if you're OK with it, and it doesn't steal more fish than your pond can produce, I think you'll be able to get used to it. Really, all its looking for is food and shelter. If it becomes a problem that you aren't happy with, you could potentially relocate it to a natural pond in your area.

 

[Stephen Noble]

I agree with JB, snakes play an important role. I have a set of snake tongs handy to live catch and relocate any that become a pest.
Stephen

 

[Lisak1]

I don't mind snakes, but that's easy for me to say as we have very few in our garden. I occasionally see a tiny garter snake. When we first moved into our house we had snakes nesting under our bay - that was a bit creepy. Too many of anything kind of weirds me out. haha. We put gravel under the bay and that ended the snake nursery!

 

[BarbO]

Thanks for the replies. If I do decide to relocate it, how do I catch it? All I can think of is to drain the pond, 400 gal, and use my big net to catch it in a couple inches of water. Any ideas? Of course I would take it to another big pond in our neighborhood.

 

[JamieB]

I’d say net your fish, put them in something to hold them a day or two while you catch the snake. Plastic kiddy pools work if you don’t have an aquarium. Then drain the pond, catch the snake, refill the pond, cycle it a day, replace fish! Or maybe keep the fish in an aquarium till they are too big to be snake food.

 

[addy1]

I had a snake for a day or two, have not seen it since, in the pond. We do have the rat/black snakes around, huge suckers, don't see them often either.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Thanks for the replies. If I do decide to relocate it, how do I catch it? All I can think of is to drain the pond, 400 gal, and use my big net to catch it in a couple inches of water. Any ideas? Of course I would take it to another big pond in our neighborhood.

Use snake tongs to capture it and then safely relocate. You can also call your conservation department for assistance.

 

[BarbO]

I successfully caught and relocated the young wide band watersnake. 24" long, with a big bulge in the middle which is my missing little goldfish who was so cute. I lowered the water to a few inches and caught it with a big net. Glad I have all the tools to do this and had to get a new long tubing to drain the water. And a bucket with a lid. He now lives in a beautiful big pond down the road from us, way bigger and better than my little one. Thanks for the repliesl

 

[mrsclem]

I don't think I would even attempt to capture a snake, unless it was tiny. Congrats on the relocation!

 

[BarbO]

I successfully caught and relocated the young wide band watersnake. 24" long, with a big bulge in the middle which is my missing little goldfish who was so cute. I lowered the water to a few inches and caught it with a big net. Glad I have all the tools to do this and had to get a new long tubing to drain the water. And a bucket with a lid. He now lives in a beautiful big pond down the road from us, way bigger and better than my little one. Thanks for the repliesl

Update, that dang snake ate 2 of my 8 goldfish who were pets to me. Of course they were my 2 favorite ones....
When I refilled my pond I found out it is 500 not 400 gal.

 

[JamieB]

I’m sure some one on here has a few ( dozen, or hundred) babies to spare. Where are you located? I’ve probably got a few to spare, I’d just have to catch them, which won’t happen till next year.

 

[BarbO]

Thanks Jamie, we do have several places I can get more goldies here. I am a serious discus and angelfish keeper, spending lots of money on them. I feel silly complaining here about the loss of some 29 cent feeder goldfish, But I am enjoying them so much in my little pond in our backyard and they seem to be smarter than my fancy, labor intensive , expensive indoor fish. Just hate that a snake interrupted their happy little lives in my pond.

 

[JamieB]

Lol, mine started out as feeders too. Now they are big!

 

[addy1]

I am glad you saved the snake rather than killing it which a lot would have done. Sorry you loss your Goldie pets.