Snakes and garden ponds - Orchid Board

nancy · #1 05-14-2009, 10:01 AM

This is somewhat OT for orchids, but I am hoping that somebody has a solution that I can try.
My little (24 gal.) garden pond *was* inhabited by several large fantails and comets, very long-lived fish. I had noticed a few ribbon snakes hanging around basking, and didn't think much of it until I realized that all of my fish had vanished! The biggest ribbon snake is also the biggest one I've ever seen, about 3' long and as thick as my wrist. He will be getting even larger after those nice fish dinners (one of the comets was as long as my hand!).
So, we pelted them with BBs, squirted with the hose, and haven't seen them for a few weeks, so the other night bought a dozen little comets and restocked.
All was well yesterday morning, but when I got home from work, it was to a deserted pond. Grrrr!
I've put out some "Snake-Away" (essentially mothballs) with no result.
Please, any suggestions?
Thanks - Nancy

Phantasm · #2 05-14-2009, 02:37 PM

Maybe get an alligator?

harrywitmore · #3 05-14-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm having trouble with the size of this snake. I can see them getting 3' but not the size of your wrist. I suspect what you are actually seeing is an eastern garter snake which is stockier. They prefer toads and frogs but will take fish. I suspect when all the food is gone they will move on but I really don't know of any way to keep them away. Have you actually seen them eat the fish?

phearamedusa · #4 05-14-2009, 04:43 PM

Have you seen any herons around your pond? They eat fish, and a friend had problems with them and they ate pretty much every fish in her pond. Like you, she restocked, and they came back to feast some more. I think in the end she gave up on the fish for a year or so after the herons.

Gin · #5 05-14-2009, 04:50 PM

how about something they would not want to slither on ? are you sure it is not raccoons or a cat ? or one of the fishing type birds ?

nancy · #6 05-14-2009, 05:18 PM

Nope, not cats, raccoons, herons, cranes, egrets, owls, bears, gators or possums. Ribbon snake, and nothing else.
We live along a coulee, so are in a snake-rich environment. And yes, I've seen the smaller ones (ribbons) gulping up some of the 'ditch-fish' (minnows netted from the coulee) when they surface. Type of snake doesn't really matter, though it is 100% ribbon. And greedy!
I thought someone might have had results with inflatable owls (crows perch on them in the garden), bells, CDs, garlic, cayenne, etc., etc.
Perhaps I should try to locate a mongoose.
I did have this happen once several years back, and the perp (kingsnake) even ate several hatchling red-eared sliders - I could see their outline in its body! When the pond was cleaned out, however, it moved along. Didn't happen (at least yet) in this case.
Grrrr - in their way, as bad as squirrels (which at least are delicious). Cheers - Nancy

neb · #7 05-14-2009, 05:28 PM

You could try and find a fence or some type of fine mesh to surround the pond you. Will have to make sure there are no holes large enough for the snake to get in through. It would help if you can burry the bottom few inches of it. I don’t think ribbon snakes are arboreal so overhanging branches shouldn't be a potential entry point.

harrywitmore · #8 05-14-2009, 05:33 PM

Ah, this must be the Western Ribbon Snake since it get's much bigger. I have ponds myself and no fish can survive due to the frogs, herons, raccoons and feral cats

. So, I enjoy the wildlife I have.

I like snakes better than fish anyway.