Snake in roof... :(

IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 12:57
Last edited 15/08/2014 - 11:57

I have had a really big green tree snake annoying me for about 6 months now and I am really fed up with it and need some help!

It kept going into our water tank eating frogs and things and then sunbaking on the roof of the house, so I sealed up the entry in the tank. Figured it would leave the house then as that was the main food source, but no still had fun sunbaking.

The back verandah where the snake often visited was then netted off and 2 cats are kept out there, you would think this would deter the snake but no it still visits and hangs from under the verandah which gives me a heart attack every time I spot it when walking underneath

Then comes winter and now it just lives in the roof of a small extension room built onto the house. There is no way to get up there just a gap underneath the verandah where it gets in/out (I think that's the only place) I hear it slithering around all day in my roof and it annoys/scares me (hate snakes) It can't get into the rest of the roof where it is and there are no mice/other food up there

Now I just caught it slithering in through the gap into the roof and the cats were meowing at it but it doesn't care.

I've done all I can think of to keep this snake away but I'm sure it is just out to get me, it's never shown itself to anyone else in the family but me and lives in my part of the roof

Does anyone have ANY ideas on how I can get this thing to leave once and for all. I've had chances to kill it but I'm too scared of them and just freeze

Thanks!

Update: Rang the local catcher and explained the situation and as I thought, he said the snake will be out of the reach of his tools so he won't be able to remove it from the roof. Also $140 callout fee just to look and will take about 40 minutes drive, so not really much help there

Update 2: Put ad on gumtree for free snake if can remove from roof and explained access is only small gap. Local snake carer called and is coming out tomorrow to try get it! hopefully all goes well and it can find a new home very far away. Will then try block up access to the roof from verandah

Update 3: Guy never showed up/called back, and now some wildlife carer just rang up saying the ad is illegal and to take it down but he won't do anything about the snake either.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Mikinoz on 12/08/2014 - 13:03

    I have heard lemons deter snakes

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 13:21
      +5

      I have heeeaps of lemons on a tree, just throw them in the roof? :P

      • retiredfeline on 12/08/2014 - 13:37
        +5

        A high velocity spud gun might work better. :)

      • Mikinoz on 12/08/2014 - 14:40

        Maybe cut them up and leave them near where the snake goes.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 14:50

          Shall try this out thanks, can't hurt

      • tomwood on 13/08/2014 - 09:31
        +1

        just throw the lemons at it!

      • Annyo on 14/08/2014 - 11:57

        you need some sulphur powder beside the door and near your water tank .

    • JediJan on 02/09/2014 - 10:13

      I have heard citrus deters cats from soiling your garden. Great idea if it works for snakes too. My mother has an excess of lemons from her tree so it is just a matter of cutting them up and leaving them in my garden bed … So far one week has gone and no smelly cat poo … Don't know what other people think about the rotting fruit in the garden bed idea, but it is not there problem is it? Why cat owners still let their moggies out at night is beyond me; Council have offered cages to catch cata in my garden but the trouble with that is that the irresponsible cat owner probably doesn't have the cat tagged, so it would probably end up euthenized … and the cat owner will just get another one. Sorry about the change in subject, but toxoplasmosis is simply not funny; I have had it and I was extremely ill. With young children and pregnant mothers the disease can prove fatal.

  • PVA on 12/08/2014 - 13:14
    +11

    call the council and say you have seen a snake in your garden/house.
    Parents had a snake in their house at Noosa (backed onto National Park) , called the council and they got someone around. Same happened with bees, huge swarm decided to make a home in the eaves/walls of their house, called council and they did the job of removing them.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 13:20

      I had thought about calling an actual snakecatcher but the thing is there is no way to get into the roof to get the snake out at all. Also our local council is truely useless

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 00:16
        +19

        If you haven't actually called either an actual snake catcher or your local council, you have just asked for useful advice and ignored it.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 09:58

          The local council seriously won't do a thing, they ignore much more important things in our area. The reason I hadn't called a snake catcher was because
          1. I believed the snake would leave on it's own
          2. I 100% believed the catcher wouldn't be able to do anything as they can't get to it
          3. I live at least an hours drive from the nearest catcher so thought the fee would be quite high and the snake would be gone by the time it got here

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 10:04
          +4

          @jumpo: It'll cost you a phone call to find out if and how much the catcher charges for a call-out fee.

          When weighing up the cost, consider the relocation as only part of it. You also want to know what needs to be done to stop another snake moving in.

          It sounds like your place is an ideal environment for the snake, all-he-can-eat frogs, maybe some mice, and good shelter. The snake won't move on until there's no food.

        • wittyusername on 13/08/2014 - 10:07
          +5

          @Thrift:

          Not to mention lemon juice to add a bit of flavour to the frogs!

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 01:28
        +2

        It's a pity you can't live peacefully with it, they make excellent pest controllers and are harmless to humans. Certainly don't break the law by killing it, native snakes are protected in Australia.

        An experienced snake catcher is your best course of action, not only will they be able to remove the snake, but they will also advise how to stop others taking up residence.
        http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/slithery-visitors-on-the…

        • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:19
          +3

          Actually just what I was thinking when reading this thread. I lived in Far North Queensland for years and it sort of comes with the territory that you should be happy to live with these "peaceful" species. At least if it is a tree snake then usually the "nasties" aren't lingering about too. I had a problem with red bellied black snakes for a time (backed onto a reserve so I was kind of asking for it); bit much when they decided the front door mat was the place to be. These ones actually had orange bellies but a snake specialist told me they have different colours in different areas, but I decided not to speculate. He also said if I have these ones about the brown snakes aren't about as the red bellies chase them off … Apparently you have more risk of dying of bee sting than you do of snake bite too. When I found one wrapped around the garden hose it became obvious … was seeking out water in the hotter months. If you really want to trap yours leave out a garden hose dripping water; that should be hard for them to resist when it is hot and dry. I was told that most people (about 80% at least) have no idea what snakes are lingering about their properties. The poster is therefore one of the lucky few to identified your house snake. No rats or other nasty rodents about … I know what I would prefer to live with.

          Reminds me of southern relatives complaining about the number of geckos I had running amok inside the house (hidden behind picture frames during the days) … I kindly pointed out that I had no spiders or other nasties inside my house, except for that one being chased for its life by one keen gecko! Long live geckos (and friendly snakes) is all I can say.

        • pebee47 on 15/08/2014 - 09:04
          +1

          @JediJan: Old Chinese saying: If you have geckos in house you have a happy house.
          Miss the little critters all over our place in Darwin. Laid eggs that looked like little mints. Sadly too cold in Perth.

        • JediJan on 02/09/2014 - 10:18

          @pebee47: Hi, yes I live in southern climes now. I really do miss them now; the very best of house pets. Now I have to use surface spray around the door frames to try to stop the nasty spiders and earwigs making their way indoors. Supposed to be the natural ingredients surface spray but it still stinks.

      • nikey2k27 on 15/08/2014 - 14:54

        call them went see the snake out then keep eye on it until they come.

    • edgar28 on 13/08/2014 - 10:45

      call fireman? they should be able to get rid of dangerous animal for you. Maybe RSPCA?

  • Baysew on 12/08/2014 - 13:17
    +47

    Samuel L. Jackson

    • retiredfeline on 12/08/2014 - 13:36
      +5

      But you'll need to put it on a plane first, so shop for a cheap air ticket. :)

    • subywagon on 12/08/2014 - 13:41
      +22

      Snakes On A Plane 2:

      Snakes In The Roof
      • ProjectZero on 12/08/2014 - 17:29
        +21

        Tagline:

        Get these M#####F###ing snakes out of my M#####F###ing roof!

        • umoddbro on 12/08/2014 - 20:08
          +7

          Get these monkey-fighting snakes out of my Monday-to-Friday roof.

    • ExtraSalt on 12/08/2014 - 15:36
      +13

      Ye, just call BET365 and ask for Samuel

    • scrimshaw on 12/08/2014 - 16:04
      +5

      You know who to call… Metal Gear!

      • 2024 on 13/08/2014 - 03:06
        +4

        Snake … Snake …… SNAAAAAAAAAAKE

      • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:21
        +2

        "You know who to call?"
        … and I was about to say "Ghost Busters"

  • Sweet Potatoes on 12/08/2014 - 13:54
    +3

    Can you block up the roof for the extension (once its out of there) to stop it? It will have to come out soon to hunt with the weather warming up. I understand your wanting it gone, because I hate them too and live in an area full of snakes! I have bought some of those solar snake repellers but they only seem to work in full sun. My little dogs seem to do a good job at alerting/keeping snakes from getting too close to the house. I have a jack russell and he is great.
    We had a snake catcher out a while ago to try and get a red belly black in our yard and she gave us some basic common sense ideas to keep snakes away - make it unattractive for them by keeping the garden sparse and low, trim trees near the roof so there isnt a direct highway for them to slither across, keep your yard neat and free of things they can hide under etc.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 14:12

      Thanks for the info. I am going to try get my dad to block it up, I'm too frightened of them to put my head up there, and there isn't really any way to tell if it is in the roof or not also..

      We have a solar repeller that buzzes and it is right at the back verandah door but it hasn't helped, there was a small snake right next to it one day that I almost stood on.

      The thing about this snake is that I have never actually seen it on the ground, it always seems to be hanging from the verandah beams or in/on top of the roof/gutter so I don't know what else to do to deter it really, and there aren't any trees that it could climb onto the roof from. This is also the first time for many months that I've seen it entering/exitting the gap (shivers as I hear it slithering about above my head)

  • 2jzzzz on 12/08/2014 - 14:11
    +16

    Buy a mongoose.

    • Domingo on 12/08/2014 - 14:20
      +84

      Next week's forum post:

      Mongoose in roof… :(

      • ProjectZero on 12/08/2014 - 17:14
        +9

        Well in that post i'd say get a gorilla

        • scrimshaw on 12/08/2014 - 18:35
          +2

          Then next weeks post is a repeat of this. You do not want to screw around with chimps, apes or gorillas.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/08/2014 - 21:18
        +20

        Instead of a mongoose, you could bring in Bolivian tree lizards to eat the snake, then Chinese Needle Snakes to eat the lizards, then snake-eating gorillas, and then when wintertime rolls around, the gorillas will simply freeze to death.

  • mrmarkau67 on 12/08/2014 - 14:12
    +9

    I'm sure it is just out to get me,
    it's never shown itself to anyone else in the family but me.

    Are you sure there is really a snake?

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 14:17
      +3

      I've got videos and pictures of it so unfortunately yes :( and I saw it about an hour ago going back into the roof

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 00:49
        +1

        Pics please? I'm curious and wanna see it. It sounds like a pretty snakey :P

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 10:04
          +4

          [IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/dpttvq.jpg[/IMG]

          This picture was actually taken in december, so it's been here since then. Makes me shaky just looking at it

        • superm86 on 13/08/2014 - 11:19

          @jumpo: wow - having snack!
          Buy SLR, Shoot it, and earn :)

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 11:31

          Would need a really big zoom! I have a video of it hunting in the tank then trying to eat that frog that is actually quite good, close up and clear

        • ExtraSalt on 13/08/2014 - 11:40
          +7

          @jumpo: Well at least we now know it's a patriotic Australian sports fanatic, with the green and gold and hating the french.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 12:43
          +1

          @jumpo: Aw, poor frog :(

        • scrimshaw on 13/08/2014 - 20:49

          Snake: Mmmm.. Pretty tasty.

  • ESEMCE on 12/08/2014 - 14:18
    +5

    Have you considered the possibility that you might have a mouse problem and that is what is keeping the snake satisfied food wise?
    If not mice, then what is the snake eating? Sure they can survive for a month or two with no food, but if there's nothing on offer at your place or the immediate surrounds, it will move on of its own accord.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 14:31
      +1

      No mice at all, there was a slight invasion during the winter but we killed them off very quickly with heaps of traps and quite a few cats, haven't been any in the roof for about 2 months now.

      That's what my dad said many months ago but it is still here haunting me. There are cats and dogs around outside so there isn't anything to eat except for frogs/toads which we can't really do anything about

      • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 00:50
        +7

        haven't been any in the roof for about 2 months now.

        Maybe your friend the snake is to thank for that? lol

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 09:53

          I don't think so as he can't actually get into that part of the roof, plus we were getting about 4 a day in mouse traps for a few days

      • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 16:31
        +1

        We actually found snakes were very interested in our cat. One particular python would strike at the cat through the screen door or lurk around the low windows of the loungeroom tasting the smells..

        Green tree snakes really are completely harmless to humans though and nothing to be afraid of, being your local native pest control service. I would honestly prefer a green tree snake to having surplus frogs in the tank n mice in the roof… Green tree snakes are already tiny and are able to squeeze anywhere a mice might..

  • shaiguy on 12/08/2014 - 14:22
    +3

    Call a herpetologist. List of authorised ones here (if you're in NSW):
    http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/askenvironmentlineapp/ques…

  • me786 on 12/08/2014 - 16:24
    +1

    Very Scary situation :-(

    Put some Carbolic Acid in the places where you think that snakes may come.
    In one corner open the cap of the bottle and keep it.

    Hope the pungent smell of the acid will prevent snakes to come nearer.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 17:40

      I've never heard of that so shall have a google thanks :)

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2014 - 16:43
    +7

    Call WIRES or someone similar to get it removed. If it is a native snake you would be breaking the law killing it, not to mention being a complete douchebag for doing so.

    Which area are you in? Might help us provide a local contact for someone to remove it.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 17:38

      Killing it or catching it isn't really even an option for me because I'm too scared of them to go near it. I live in Queensland near Toowoomba

  • YTW on 12/08/2014 - 17:08
    +3

    Could you call a couple of snake catchers and explain how they can't access the room, and hopefully find one that is willing (if able, of course) to come as soon as you call. Then next time it's out and hanging on the verandah, give them a call. May take a couple of goes but with any luck they'd be able to get it. Given how much it enjoys your house I'd be confirming with them that they take it to the moon and leave it there. I've had a friend have a snake return after being removed so you want to be clear with them that it is being safely removed to a distant location.

    How you can live with it I'll never know - I would have set fire to my house by now…hahahaa…

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 17:37
      +1

      the snake never stays in one place for long (very clever) and I live about an hours drive from the nearest catcher so it is tough, I've had a look with my gopro camera and a light attached and I'm thinking a catcher may actually be able to use a really long wire hook or something to get it out, so may see if that is an option.

      I definitely agree don't want it anywhere near me! It's like some sort of crazed stalker or something!

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2014 - 17:16
    +6

    So let me get this straight, you have a mothercking snake, in your motherfcking roof?

  • Yummy on 12/08/2014 - 17:20
    +1

    Subwoofer time!

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 17:35

      Tried it! 2 of them right underneath where it sleeps for about 2 hours and it didn't move a muscle

    • ProjectZero on 12/08/2014 - 18:09
      +11

      lol anyone think of barry white from this comment?

      • Baysew on 12/08/2014 - 19:21
        +1

        Alice Cooper seems more appropriate.

    • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:32

      Noise doesn't bother snakes … Apparently the have no ears and don't actually "hear.' They detect by scent, motion etc.

      Fed up with them deciding my front door mat was the place for a nap I used to locate speakers directly at them (from behind the screen door) and they still napped on. Even stamping my feet did nothing for them either; one just rose up and glared it's displeasure. Seriously when in their territory you kind of have to put up with this kind of thing; get used to keeping eyes on the ground when out walking.

      • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 11:59

        Not the noise with the subwoofers but the large vibrations that I thought would work. The trees and scrub is their territory but my house should be my territory! :P

        • JediJan on 02/09/2014 - 10:22

          I agree with you … inside the house is MY territory … and that front door mat! I was always so wary using that door. I'm pretty sure they came down because of the scent of water (Mackay) and I pictured one wrapped around the garden hose too. These black snakes (red bellies) are actually quite beautiful creatures up close, very shiny and clean looking; just didn't like the idea of them coming inside.

  • destruction on 12/08/2014 - 17:35
    -2

    Kill it?

    • ProjectZero on 12/08/2014 - 18:08
      +8

      Oh Whacking Day!
      Oh Whacking Day!
      Our hallowed snake skull-cracking day!
      We'll break their backs!
      Gouge out their eyes!
      Their evil hearts we'll pulverize!
      Oh Whacking Day!
      Oh Whacking Day!
      May God bestow his grace on thee…

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 01:04
      +6

      No need to encourage people to break the law. Native snakes are a protected species in Australia.

    • shaiguy on 13/08/2014 - 16:11

      If in NSW: "All snakes are protected in NSW and killing one is an offence."

      http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/askenvironmentlineapp/ques…

  • sparkles on 12/08/2014 - 18:00
    +31

    Advertise on Gumtree:

    FREE TO ANY HOME. One snake. Pick up anytime.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2014 - 20:14
      +9

      Hey this is ozbargain:

      One snake. $50obo. Fits in car boot.

      • macrocephalic on 14/08/2014 - 12:25
        +2

        If it doesn't fit in your car boot then you've got problems!

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 17:35
      +2

      haha thanks sparkles I did this and someone just called within a few hours of posting :D they are coming to try get it out tomorrow xD

    • humdogg on 14/08/2014 - 18:29

      don't bother OP, i posted an ad on gumtree for anyone to have the free snake in my pants (pick up any time) but nobody replied.

  • Save Medicare on 12/08/2014 - 18:05
    +3

    Make friends with it

  • Luminary on 12/08/2014 - 18:36
    +18

    Have you tried speaking to it in Parseltongue?

  • badg3rz on 12/08/2014 - 18:57
    +6

    Invite Bear Grylls over for dinner.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 19:33
      +3

      Thought of that too! Can't find a contact number though :P

    • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:53

      Never in a million years. Imagine how this guy smells with that diet of his.

  • twodollah on 12/08/2014 - 19:00
    +7

    Time to sell the house and move

  • ahly92 on 12/08/2014 - 19:06
    +7

    hopefully its not pregnant or u might be in for a scare!!!

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 19:32
      +11

      Nooo please don't say that it's already bad enough!

      • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:34

        Seriously baby tree (or any other species) snakes are seriously cute. Funny situation when you have the bible bashers at front door and you advise them they better move as the snakes were heading for them … over that seriously short cut grass (for those that blame long grass).

  • sparkles on 12/08/2014 - 19:35
    +1

    OK, so it seems you can buy traps to catch it. They crawl in and can't crawl out. You tempt them in with eggs.

    • alittlelewd on 12/08/2014 - 19:51
      +2

      I believe slither is the word you are looking for. Crawling requires legs.

      It's a good idea though, but OP is very scared of snakes and I don't know if he could approach the trap once it's in there and it would be pretty horrifying if he couldn't man up to release it far away, but just left it in the trap.

      • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 20:44

        My dad would be able to release it, I'm just not sure whether the ceiling opening is big enough to be able to get anything in there unless if I just lay the trap on top of the roof where I have seen it before

        Did you have a link to the trap I haven't had much luck finding one

        • alittlelewd on 12/08/2014 - 20:55

          I just googled snake traps to have a look at them and thought they would be a good idea to try.

          I have no experience with snake traps nor do I know how effective they are.

          Sorry :(

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 22:32

          ah no worries I shall do a bit of research then thanks :)

        • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 16:37

          @jumpo:
          be aware SOME 'traps' are illegal for the purpose of Native Australian animals as snakes are known to become stuck and rip themselves to near death trying to free the one way scales.. this makes for an extremely upset and hard to control/release animal…

        • superm86 on 14/08/2014 - 11:13

          @happysound: not sure if this one is legal is Australia - but looks to be effective.
          http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/515899/best-way-ive-found-…

  • CrazyMexican on 12/08/2014 - 20:34
    +5

    Lord voldemort?

  • c64 on 12/08/2014 - 20:51
    +1

    i once had a large carpet python linving in my roof for a while. i remember one night i went to the outside laundry and it was just dangling from over the doorway. that gave me one hell of a scare. i gave it a bit of a tug but it was too strong.

    i don't know what eventually happened to it. it must've found a better place to live.

    • OBone on 12/08/2014 - 21:32
      +3

      We had a diamond python living in the roof on and off over a few weeks, using the neighbours tree as a thoroughfare.
      It scared the bejesus out of the pet cockatiel late one night when it heard it slithering in the cavity next to the cage!
      We just left it though until one day we heard roof tiles sliding on the roof.
      The damn thing had got into the space between the tiles and sisalation and was trying to squeeze its way out.
      It lifted the ridge caps in 3 places and one was completely off.
      Luckily a local wildlife guy was happy to come get it.
      Just as he turned up the snake made an appearance on top of the roof which made it easy for him, fortunately.
      But all this is probably only adding to the OP's anxiety, sorry!

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