snakes...two general questions [View All]

I did a quick search and didn't find anything so I'm throwing up this post looking for input.

My neighbour has called me on several occasions to get rid of snakes in her back yard.

Usually, I'm sceptical and show up anyway.

The first time, I captured it using a rake, shoved it in a bag and released it upstream...took a photo and showed it to friends at work. Turned out it was a small water moccassin (Sp?)Maybe 2 feet in total length.

Second time, about twoo weeks ago I captured and killed a snake for her that was about four feet long but looked like a "rat snake"...


Tonight, she calls, I'm in the middle of cleaning out the fridge and working on a vodka/lime.

I show up...no rake but trusty "made in Brasil" machete...


This time it was a damn rattlesnake...I know this because it was a much lighter brown colour than usual and had different markings....vertical yellowish stripes.

As I approached it it did nothing. I touched it on the back with the machete and it immediately slid towards the rear of the yard. It then coiled and started to rattle. I'd estimate its length somewhere between 36 and 48 inches.

I encouraged it to continue it's journey towards the back of the yard and last saw it sliding up into a red-tip photinia. At that point I decided it was gone and went back to tell my neighbour it was gone.

Obviously, this is going to be a recurring issue. I've never seen any snakes in my yard and I don't really want to kill them if possible.

Why are they in her yard and not mine?

What is the best method of capture and release?