Snake in the house

barrytheprof · October-17-19 22:10

Somehow, a 2 1/2 foot black snake wound itself around my wife's leg in the hallway. She shook it off and it went into the bedroom. Once she was able to tell me what happened (it took a while). I considered my options. I have 3 sizes of shot shells, 22, 22mag, and a variety of .410s. But I didn't know what collateral damage they might do to furniture, walls, floors, etc. So I took out my handy ax and dispatched it . . . 7 times over. Bloody mess.

Does anyone know how bad it is to shoot one of those shotshells in the house?

Ruger · October-18-19 04:10

Hard to tell . . .I've never been attacked in the hallway by a snake.

Uncle_Lee · October-18-19 05:10

I've shot a bunch on a deck with 22 mag shotshells.
Not much mess but they scar the deck.

RogueTS1 · October-18-19 07:10

It was a Black Snake, not a Rattler .......................... pick him up with something and bag him. Then you can take him outside away from the house to set free to kill rodents or dispatch him for assaulting your Mrs. without the mess to clean up.

barrytheprof · October-18-19 07:10

It had a very big mouth with fangs. I'd pick it up with someone else's hands.

Step one was to immobilize it before it hid under the bed.

Afterwards I put my arms up to show my biceps to Barb, and sang in as close to an operatic voice as I can muster, the theme for Mighty Mouse . ..

Heeere I come to save the daaaay!!!

She wasn't laughing. Another tough crowd!

KEN AR · October-18-19 09:10

WOW, Glad there was no bite from it. I'm not sure I would have used an ax inside but a snake is a snake if it has fangs!

My entire reason for owning NAA's!

Bet she would take one if offered now...

bearcatter · October-18-19 09:10

You haven't said what damage the axe did.

A high school hangout was an old farmhouse. Belonged to a buddy's uncle, but no one lived in it. There was an occaisional copperhead in the wood shed that we'd dispatch with an old 30-30. Blacksnakes, and garter snakes, would get in the house. Usually just slid them along the floor and out the door with an old string mop. One was done in by a generous squirt of bug spray. He was in an un-slidable spot.

OV-1D · October-18-19 11:10

Perfect time to sell the idea of more guns and you blew it .

barrytheprof · October-18-19 12:10

Quote from: OV-1D on October-18-19 11:10
Perfect time to sell the idea of more guns and you blew it .

Story of my life!

Bug spray in an interesting idea. But the ax made me feel like Lizzy Borden. Now I have to remove the blood stains from the carpet.

thom · October-18-19 16:10

I remember my Dad using a broom inside the house to get them out. Once outside he used a shovel to dispatch. I have been lucky here in AZ. I have only seen one Rattler and he swallowed a 30-06 bullet after deer season. But I live deep down in the city and the cats get the snakes here, I think.

Uncle_Lee · October-19-19 03:10

I kill snakes.
Everyone I come across.
I also kill foxes and coyotes.
Now I hear that bobcats are moving into the area.
Those I will kill also.

top dog · October-19-19 11:10

Barry,
Ummm,did your wife have a hissy fit??? Wrapped around her legs??? Yipes!!!!!!!!!!

Top Dog

barrytheprof · October-19-19 13:10

She was frozen to the ground. It took a long time to get her to tell me what happened. Not fun.

glenn · October-19-19 15:10

Quote from: barrytheprof on October-19-19 13:10
She was frozen to the ground. It took a long time to get her to tell me what happened. Not fun.

Maybe it's just me ..... but .... I think ..... that Urine ... raining down from above .... would be a good snake deterrent, if one was wrapped around MY wife's ankles.

barrytheprof · October-19-19 17:10

It's easier to get out of the rug than blood. I'll suggest that next time!

Wumbey Goomba · October-19-19 20:10

I ain't scared of snakes. (Just Saying)

barrytheprof · October-19-19 22:10

You too could get bit on the asp.

glenn · October-20-19 02:10

Quote from: barrytheprof on October-19-19 17:10
It's easier to get out of the rug than blood. I'll suggest that next time!

I don't think any suggesting would be necessary at my house. I figger the warm rain would start just about the same time as the screaming.

.

linux_author · October-21-19 04:10

Quote from: glenn on October-19-19 15:10
Maybe it's just me ..... but .... I think ..... that Urine ... raining down from above .... would be a good snake deterrent, if one was wrapped around MY wife's ankles.

funny, 'cause that's what some snakes use as a deterrent, and that includes #1, #2, and musk

willie
on the Gulf of Mexico

p.s. black snakes aren't venomous, but can bite if cornered... you'll get a warning via tail shaking

Dinadan · October-21-19 07:10

Using a firearm on a black snake is overkill. Black Racers do bite pretty hard, but the wounds are just comparable to the pricks from dewberry vines. I can attest to that. Here is a method I have used to capture blacksnakes. I take my pocket handkerchief or bandanna in my left hand and move it slowly toward the snake. If it is at all aggressive minded the snake will strike at the cloth. Usually it's teeth will get hung in the fabric for at least a second when the snake bites. That gives plenty of time to grab the snake behind the head with my other hand. Quickly drop the cloth and support the rest of the snake so that it does not break it's back thrashing around. Release and wash hands.

Ruger · October-22-19 05:10

Quote from: Dinadan on October-21-19 07:10. . . . . . . wash hands.

No kidding.

seaotter · December-10-19 12:12

I am not sure about inside the house, but I can attest to the fact that if a water moccasin drops into your aluminum canoe 6 inches away from you, a 22 shot shell will kill him without putting a hole in your boat!

barrytheprof · December-10-19 13:12

Now that's useful information! Not sure if it would work on my inflatable though.

Canoeal · December-10-19 17:12

Yeah, not sure I would try 22 mag SS in my boats either. Might scratch the finish...

Tank24 · December-27-19 18:12

Quote from: Canoeal on December-10-19 17:12
Yeah, not sure I would try 22 mag SS in my boats either. Might scratch the finish...

I might scratch the finish but I'm betting it would not get through the outer layer of glass and it would be easy to patch up with epoxy and varnish and then you'd have the story to tell about your snake canoe.

bbgun · January-16-20 20:01

Best snake duster -- my Gamo shotguns (I have five -- gifts, etc) not too loud, not much collateral damage, and a good whack, enough for any snake without gittin' too close.