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

  • El Cap on 12/08/2014 - 21:24
    +3

    You could move out :p

    Best to inform the council or snake catchers. They may be more able than you think.

    I know by experience they run/slither like hell if you put some kerosene on to them. Do not know whether will permanently deter them coming back.

    Though I am against harming animals, if I have to live at your house and snake catchers don't work, I will be taking stern actions. Very stern.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 22:35
      +2

      Well the last time I saw it dangling about all carefree and such me and my sister poked at it with a broom thinking it would startle it and slither away and never come back, but instead it slithered into the gutter and into the extension room roof.. so I don't think annoying it works with this one

      I'm going to give a local snakecatcher a call tomorrow and see if they think they'd be able to get it out somehow

      • scrimshaw on 12/08/2014 - 22:52

        BTW does the snake look like this?
        http://www.wiresnr.org/greentreesnake.html

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 23:12

          That's the one, it's a lot longer than the average size though, it'd be around 2m I'm almost positive

        • Baysew on 13/08/2014 - 09:08
          +1

          In the description of the green snake it says

          Diet consists mostly of frogs, but it is also known to eat small skinks, geckos, and occasionally small dragons.

          Small Dragons ?

        • MrRandomnez on 13/08/2014 - 09:09
          +1

          @jumpo:
          I know its a phobia, but there really is no reason to be afraid of this species. They are not pythons, so they are too small to strangle you, and they are non-venenomous with bites that hurt less than most snakes. It really couldn't kill you.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 09:14

          @Baysew: You don't get water dragons in your backyard?
          http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Physignathus_lesueuri…

        • ExtraSalt on 13/08/2014 - 11:44
          +1

          @Baysew: hmmm…..Jumpo, you've made it quite clear that you have cleared your mouse problem, but have you considered slaying all your dragons? Even Daenerys Targaryen couldn't restrain them when they got big….just saying, slaying them might be a logical option.

        • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:54

          @Baysew: water dragons

        • McFly on 13/08/2014 - 12:48

          @Baysew: Don't worry, that's only occasionally!

        • pebee47 on 15/08/2014 - 09:08

          @Baysew: jumpo says its about 2 metres long. In that cas it should be able to eat large dragons.
          (Better let Anne McCaffrey know about this)

  • R3XNebular on 12/08/2014 - 23:12

    Glue/Sticky Traps work well. Just make sure you drive him into your local forest with some olive oil so he can wriggle out freely.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 12/08/2014 - 23:14

      I'll look into them thanks. My place kind of is a forest, I'll take him to a non local forest if I catch him :P

      • R3XNebular on 13/08/2014 - 01:50
        -1

        Think they are hard to find locally as they have been banned. Best to purchase from Amazon.

      • kwaker on 14/08/2014 - 22:12
        +1

        glue traps are stupid for snakes, I don't recommend this at all. let your local trapper handle it. leave it to the professionals. If you take it to a non local forest that isn't good for the snake or for the environment. take him to a wildlife centre or let the professionals handle it.

        I hope you like venomous snakes because he was probably keeping the other ones away. better to have a friendly one and green tree snakes don't bother anyone, its winter and its cold. you would probably find come spring he will move on anyway and probably never come back.

        I hate snakes but I grew up with them around and you leave the green ones and the red bellies alone

    • Geewhizz on 24/08/2014 - 07:29
      +2

      Please don't use a glue trap. They're incredibly cruel.

  • OneJay on 13/08/2014 - 00:27
    +2

    I've heard shaking your fist and yelling obscenities at it works well.

    Must be done where you can see it, otherwise you'll just be yelling at your roof.

    • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 16:42

      wish ozb would let me neg you for that but apparently thats all the negs you can have in a day… ill be back..

  • imcold on 13/08/2014 - 09:03

    Maybe try turning the aircon on full blast on the a fairly cold setting during the day time.. That might get the snake out onto the roof at least. YOu'll need to open up the attic space or somehow have some temporary duct piping to target the cold air into the roofspace

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 09:50

      The snake actually sleeps directly above the airconditioner so I might try close the room and put it on super cold and see if he comes out

      • ExtraSalt on 13/08/2014 - 11:46

        Nah if you have a split system, that is why he sleeps atop your AC. the condensing unit (box that sits outside) would be warm/hot when on. snakes being cold blooded, need to absorb the heat. Best bet is to leave it off at night so the metal doesn't radiate any heat

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 12:01

          It hasn't been on for about 4 months though so doesn't seem to make any difference

  • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 09:17

    I know they really hate surface spray… That's a pretty extreme measure though, you might mess up it's sense of smell or something and may as well kill it humanely.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 09:30
      +4

      You don't kill them. They are a protected species.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 09:39
      +7

      I'm a hypocrite for what I'm about to say, considering I don't think twice before killing cockroaches or mosquitoes or white-tail spiders or redbacks around our house… but it's sad to know that there are people out there who would even consider killing a non-venemous snake instead of going for an alternative method.

      OP hasn't even tried to call the council or seek some local wildlife or snake catchers yet. That'd be your first step (I suspect that'd also be the wisest step even if this was a dangerous snake - I don't think I'd wanna take one on by myself even if I was aiming to kill it). Setting up a humane trap and releasing it elsewhere would be a decent second option (though I'd be hesitant to choose a random spot to release it without some proper advice on a suitable location to let it go and live happily and safely).

      I can understand the OPs fear of the snake. No use any of us trying to convince him it'll all be fine and the snake won't hurt him etc etc, because fears are irrational - logic won't change that. But that's no reason to kill something unnecessarily.

      But as I said.. quite hypocritical of me to say this when I kill roaches lol. Those things make my skin crawl (much the same way the OP reacts to the snakey, I presume). Hopefully the OP doesn't resort to harming it in any way though. Poor snake.

      • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 09:49

        Just because of how small the gap is and how random its appearances were made me think a catcher wouldn't be able to do anything, and figured he would charge me a fair bit for call out and not be able to do anything. (anyone got a discount code? :P)

        I know the fear is silly but snakes are my thing, much like many people are deathly afraid of bees or spiders, I have a beehive and sit infront of it for them to climb all over me and I love them, pickup spiders all the time

        • CheapCoffee on 13/08/2014 - 10:03
          +2

          Local wildlife carers usually rescue protected wildlife species for free and local council should as well. If not you might be able to contact the state environment agency and they might be willing to help since it is a protected specie.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 10:07

          If you have contact info for someone who will remove it for free around toowoomba qld it'd be super helpful

        • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 16:48
          +2

          @jumpo:
          DO YOU EVEN GOOGLE?????
          http://chimeraproductionswildlife.com.au/
          http://www.snakecatchers.com/snakeremoval/queensland/toowoom…
          Theres 2 numbers for local catchers….

          http://www.wires.org.au/
          https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rapt-in-Reptiles-Presentation…
          http://www.wildlife.org.au/wildlife/livingwithwildlife/rescu…

          Queensland
          Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
          24 hour Emergency Hotline: 1300 130 372
          Brisbane Area Rescue Network
          24 hour Hotline: 0405 056 066
          Granite Belt Wildlife Carers Inc
          Based in Stanthorpe, SE Qld. Looking after animals specific to the Granite Belt area. Rescue boundaries are the NSW border, Texas, Allora, Warwick, Killarney, Liston and Stanthorpe.
          Wildlife Wanderer's Carers Group Association Inc.
          24 hour service out of Nanango; covering; Benarkin, Brooklands, Blackbutt, Bunya Mountains, Cooyar, Goodger, Yarraman, Maidenwell, Kingaroy, Goomeri, Bell, Kumbia, Crawford, Memerambi, Nanango, Wooroolin, Wattlecamp, Tingoora, Kilkivan, Tansey, Wondai, Coolabunia, Ellesmere
          Emergency Hotline: 0447 196 704
          Redlands Wildlife Rescue
          Return to the Wild inc. is a not-for-profit organisation specialising in the rescue and care of koalas (and the odd wombat) on the Darling Downs.
          Ph: 0427969860
          ONARR Orphan Native Animal Rear and Release
          Rescues, rears, rehabilitates and releases orphaned wildlife in the greater SE Qld area
          FAUNA Fostercare of Australia's Unique Native Animals Association Inc
          Far North Queensland Wildlife Rescue
          Bat Rescue Inc
          Cares for sick, injured and orphaned bats - Sunshine Coast and Brisbane
          ARROW Australian Rescue and Rehabilitation of Wildlife Association Inc
          Rescue, care and release sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife
          24 hour Hotline: 0430 904 415
          Bat Conservation & Rescue QLD. INC.
          Species dedicated organisation covers greater Brisbane region for bats - microbats and flying-foxes.
          NQ Wildlife Care Inc.
          Based in Townsville, this group covers west to Charters Towers, north to Cardwell and south to Bowen. Ph: 0414 717 374.
          Queensland Wildlife Carers and Volunteers Association Inc - Please phone 4159 6431 to contact a local wildlife carer in Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin, Rosedale or Agnes Water.
          Ipswich Koala Protection Society Inc
          Phone Ranger Ruth Lewis on (07) 5464 6274 or 0419 760 127, or Helen on (07) 3282 5035 or 0417 604 761. Email: [email protected]. Based at Mt. Forbes where they have established a Rescue and Rehabilitation Clinic with a vet on call 24/7. It also has two dedicated koala ambulances. They rescue/rehabilitate/release (specialising in koalas) and have been operating for approximately 18 years. The Ipswich Koala Protection Society Inc is a nonprofit volunteer organisation
          Wildlife Volunteers Association Inc - covers Caboolture to Gympie and west from those areas. 24 hour hotline: 07 5441 6200.
          Wildcare Australia Inc. - Located in south-east Queensland. 24 hour emergency hotline: 07 5527 2444.
          Return to the Wild Inc.
          Located in the Toowoomba, Crows Nest area of the Darling Downs in Queensland. Rescue phone number: 0427 969 860.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 17:34
          -2

          I googled quite a bit but most of what I found were mainly dogs/cats/marsupial kind of things but thanks for all the info

        • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 17:55
          -1

          @jumpo:
          They all work together and usually there are many private cares and rescue folks around regional centres like yours. It pays to call around and I dont think ive ever heard of one charging. A case of beer or something is a nice thankyou for a 1hr drive and an hour tracking n luring a snake out…

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 17:59
          +2

          I actually put up an ad on gumtree and a snake rescue guy is coming out to try get it tomorrow! :) If all goes well the situation shall be solved, unless if the snake is too clever and disappears for the day..

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 19:22

          @jumpo: For reals? Awesome. I didn't even think of putting it up on Gumtree, let alone imagining that a snake rescuer would actually find it (and so fast!) and offer to help. That's amazing.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 19:31

          I was quite shocked too! Hopefully he gets here at the right time :)

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 19:55
          +1

          @jumpo: Hopefully he catches it and you get the opportunity to meet the snake up close in a controlled way (with it being held by the catcher), and possibly helps relieve a bit of the fear you have around snakes.

          You know… in case Mr Tree Snake has friends that come to visit one day… lol

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 20:09

          @waterlogged turnip: I will try definitely try my best if he is able to catch it :]

      • JediJan on 13/08/2014 - 11:47

        I think hypocracy has its place though when it comes to certain aspects. As far as cockroaches and earwigs all I can say is die, die, die!

        Snakes though are part of the natural environment (those roaches are introduced) and earn their place. We just have to learn to live with them when we take over their space. I am all for respecting the natural environment; put up with gecko poo and just got used to keeping ones' eyes open in the outdoors (with close cropped grass which makes absolutely no difference peoples). My aversion is with crocodiles, but I do respect them. I could tell some funny tales about crocodiles and ringing the police in the middle of the night when I thought a kangaroo had fallen into the neighbours pool … stuff of nightmares though, which I still have.

  • xyron on 13/08/2014 - 09:47
    +2

    Green tree snakes are not venomous or otherwise harmful right?

    I quite like the idea of having a snake pet who just chills out around the verandah :)

    If you do get a snake catcher trap, please make sure you get someone to release him/her somewhere else as soon as he/she is caught!

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 10:07
      +2

      He's all yours if you want to come get him :)

      • pebee47 on 13/08/2014 - 10:54
        +6

        Don't offer for free, OB's will think its damaged goods.
        OB's react best to $$, so say its this year's model, $9 pickup, down from $44.
        They'll rush you to get it.

      • xyron on 13/08/2014 - 11:32

        As you said before, he just dangles around, all carefree - he wants to be your friend! :)

        (I should preface this by saying that I agree, on their face, snakes can be pretty scary, but if you know this one isn't dangerous then a lot of the 'scare factor' should be removed. That said, if you have a 'phobia' of sorts then it isn't going to change by way of rationalising anything!)

  • Geekomatic on 13/08/2014 - 11:26

    Snake-a-way

    Not sure if you can have it shipped here, but if not, maybe find a substitute according to ingredients?

    Cheers

  • volgo on 13/08/2014 - 13:20
    +3

    I'm a volunteer snake catcher with WIRES in NSW and have caught these snakes a few times. They're harmless, but since you want it gone your options are simple: you need to either spend the money for a professional snake catcher, or spend the time observing its entry/exit hole into the roof. Once you see it leave, seal up the hole. Make sure there are no other holes around for it to get back in. My thoughts are that Council wouldn't bother with a non-venomous snake that is not hurting anyone.

  • Annoying Source on 13/08/2014 - 13:59

    Mate you haven't even tried to get a professional opinion. If it's such a worry to you then just call the snake catcher and see what he says, ask is there anyway you can get him out (bait or something). Just because you think it is hard does not mean the professional does (he literately does this type of thing every day). Also if you are concerned about cost just ask for a quote.

    Secondly call the council, because they can usually help.

    You asked for ideas on how to get rid of the snake and the ones that popped up the most are Snake catcher and council. If money is a issue then just deal with the snake because that's the Ozbargians way.

    Short of killing it (please god don't do this) the only options are Snake Catcher, Council, Wildlife carer or a snake trap

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 14:24

      Local catcher said he won't be able to get it out, the council wouldn't be better than a dedicated snake catcher.

  • MarkB4 on 13/08/2014 - 15:22

    You need to open your tank again so the water doesn't foul from dead frogs. Keep opening small enough to keep snake out.

    The snake will probably move on in the spring, no big deal. If it doesn't you will have many opportunities to test what deters it as it will be hunting and looking for a mate.

    Sounds like you have had many opportunities to catch it, learn. Face you fear m8, they only bite - no venom in a constrictor.

    Or how about breeding them … :-)

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 13/08/2014 - 15:42

      It's a small old tank it isn't used for anything

      It turns out it has been here since December, so I have my doubts about it leaving. My dad has killed the odd brown snake when I was younger and I was too scared to even touch a dead one. Maybe going to a zoo or something where I could touch one would help me get over the fear. Or I'll just close my eyes and grab the snake next time it's hanging about :S

      • happysound on 13/08/2014 - 16:51

        Maybe your Dad killing them has set a bad example and poorly educated you on their role and your own living with snakes in Australia reality… but yes, go to a zoo and sit in on one of the classes for kids about reptiles - Would definitely help your fears.

      • MarkB4 on 14/08/2014 - 11:59
        +2

        "It's a small old tank it isn't used for anything"

        Still, don't let the frogs die closed up in it. And really, snakes are not to be feared, respected yes, and handled carefully. If you have so many snakes about chances are you also have rats/mice/etc, so see the balance. Go and get close to some, like the other suggests.

        It will move in the spring.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 14/08/2014 - 14:58

          Not many snakes, only really see maybe 2 a year except for this one that won't leave. No rats/mice as we have quite a few cats

          I put duct tape on the tank hole about 8 months ago.. so if there were any frogs in there I'd say they'd be dead by now. But the frogs all got out I believe because they pushed the tape off and I saw them all leaving so resealed it

  • Godric on 13/08/2014 - 16:08
    +1

    Do you really have to pay for them to come remove the snake?

    Doesn't seem fair ;(

  • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2014 - 19:09
    +1

    Oh god this post is so funny, couldn't stop laughing

  • McFly on 13/08/2014 - 19:09
    +2

    What's the big deal? I've lived with a huge trouser snake most of my life…

    • Blurry on 13/08/2014 - 21:14

      Same! …and its 1/2 blind with only 1 eye :P

  • ahly92 on 13/08/2014 - 23:14

    Hopefully the guy can retrieve it tomorrow SAM…. ;)
    http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/toowoomba-4350/reptiles-amphi…

    • Serapis on 14/08/2014 - 01:45

      That is a wicked ass looking guitar…

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 14/08/2014 - 07:46

      I was loving all the samuel l jackson jokes ;)

  • abh_gup on 14/08/2014 - 09:33

    HOW did/do you LIVE under THAT roof?

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 14/08/2014 - 09:37

      The room is a little music room so if I'm in here I'm generally making noise so I can't hear it slithering about! :P

  • kangaroo on 14/08/2014 - 13:21

    When I read this thread, the following news item came to my mind, Jumpo does your snake look like the one in this page?

    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/03/20/1142703272460.html

  • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 14:26

    I probably come from a somewhat dubious standpoint, in commenting at all on this, but with time all stitched together, I spent maybe three years living in regional Queensland. Killed too many snakes to remember clearly, but at least ten. Most were Eastern browns (really nasty), a few red-bellied blacks (unless you're a child being bitten, you probably could get to a hospital in time).
    In any case, all were venomous, and all were killed in the vicinity of homestead, sheds, kennels, etc.

    Even with the awareness of the illegality of killing snakes, even if a country cop actually saw you doing the deed, you wouldn't be arrested for it.
    Everyone knows the reality of snakes in rural areas, particularly as it relates to the losses of (very much loved) working dogs.

    BUT (grammar be damned!), I never did - or would - kill a non-venomous snake of any python persuasion.

    OP, live with your tree-snake, or get in a proper snake-catcher to relocate it.
    Just do one or the other.

  • XeSSiV on 14/08/2014 - 14:31
    +2

    I'm sorry but I honestly don't know what you're complaining about.
    Did the snake catcher confirm that it's a green tree snake? If it is, then just leave it there! I'd always choose a quiet snake over frogs/crickets/mice/other possibly noisy or annoying insects.
    How cool would it be to have a snake as a semi pet?! It's not as if you have to do anything to take care of it either. You're trading accommodation for a natural food supply haha

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 14/08/2014 - 15:00
      +2

      Because I have a huge phobia of snakes.. If you are scared of sharks as many people are imagine stepping outside your door and having a shark hanging right above your head staring at you

      Also wouldn't you have more insects if you had a snake eating all the frogs..

      • [Deactivated] on 14/08/2014 - 22:16
        +1

        Yeah, while I agree with XeSSiV's premise, the fear thing makes sense. I hate big hairy spiders, so even if a huntsman appeared in my room or home and just lived on the ceiling or something… I wouldn't be able to handle it lol. I know they're harmless and would help eat any other bugs, but there's no way I'd be able to walk near it in case it launched itself at my face (as fears make you believe will definitely happen lol).

        I'd catch it and send it outside for sure.

        • [Deactivated] on 15/08/2014 - 00:51
          +3

          Sorry, Turnip, but I can't resist the temptation to creep you out with two things huntsman-related…
          Apologies in advance.

          This is from when I lived in Canberra.
          Do you have a tape-measure handy? Envisage the very biggest huntsman that you have seen, and look at the the tape, or a ruler. In my life, I've seen a few around 7.5 cm in a motionless, tip-to-tip leg span, so that's what I'm guessing.

          I have never even seen one between that size and the one that was in my flat one night. A full 10cm across. NO exaggeration at all. Proper mutant huntsman. Either that, or it had been taking 'roids.

          I had no insect spray of any description, but I managed to get it under and in a butterfly net (all homes should have one so that you don't need to use spray for every little moth that gets inside).

          Anyway, I managed to get the net plus the horror inside, outside, and squashed it.

          Madam Turnip - kindly imagine every spider you've ever squashed, irrespective of whether it was big or small. Curled up spider plus brown goo. Yes?

          Out of the legs of this one came visible chunks (actual CHUNKS!) (did I mention, CHUNKS!?) of pink muscle. Yep.

          I will remember that until the day I die… AND NOW YOU WILL TOO !

          II. Still nasty:

          Up until a couple of months ago, I had never even associated the production of spider-silk with huntman spiders, until… I opened the house's internal door to the garage and a pretty sizeable huntsman dropped straight down in front of my face, just like in a clichéd horror-movie scene.

          I hereby admit that it scared 'six months growth' and the proverbial 'living sh*t' out of me.

          Sweet dreams (revoked!), and happy door-opening, Miss W. Turnip…

          (Alright, I just re-read all of the above and let out an involuntary, properly maniacal, laugh. Don't hate me - too much!!)

        • [Deactivated] on 15/08/2014 - 22:49
          +3

          @Tas: Dearest Tas,

          Thank you for sharing the stuff of nightmares.

          I shall never sleep or walk in the dark again.

        • [Deactivated] on 16/08/2014 - 09:53

          @Miss W. Turnip:
          Dearest Miss W. Turnip,

          You are most welcome.

          I have confidence that you will be able to sleep, walk in the dark, AND forgive me.

          (Maybe all at once. Multitasking. You're a girl. Shouldn't be a problem. Sorted.)

          (Have a good, albeit, lousy-weather, weekend. Much worse here, already.)

          (Possible-punishment for turnip-teasing.)

          (Your turn for a maniacal laugh.)

          (Ok, that's enough.)

          (Alright, stop it.)

          (SPIDERS!)

        • Serapis on 17/08/2014 - 05:30
          +2

          @Tas:

          Holy Hell a spider that big needs a Health + Mana bar

          http://x2.fjcdn.com/comments/In+Australia+the+spiders+are+so…

        • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2014 - 08:33
          +1

          @Serapis:

          Indeed.
          All joking aside, I am actually still haunted by the experience, but not in the way that you might imagine.
          I do genuinely reckon on having encountered the biggest example of the species that anybody has ever seen. Spectacular beast of a thing, and given that spiders don't grow quickly it must also have been many, many years old. Basis for guilt, right there.

          I pride myself on reacting calmly and sensibly to things encountered that fluster some (e.g. turnips and other antsy root-vegetables).
          Anyway, to not have at least paused and then TRIED to get 'The Beast' alive and into a container, does still play on my mind even now.

          Making things worse, at the time I lived just five minutes drive from the CSIRO in Canberra.
          At the very least I squished a very cool specimen that they may have found useful. :(

          Serapis, I'm not one for using 'smileys' very often, but there you go. lol.

          Yes, and you guessed it - that 'lol' was for you - Antsy Turnip!

        • Serapis on 17/08/2014 - 15:39

          @Tas:

          If I was in your shoes, I would not have cared at all about keeping it alive… let alone use a butterfly net to catch it.

          Would've tried to kill it with fire, doesn't matter if house burns down as long as it know it was cremated =P

        • [Deactivated] on 17/08/2014 - 17:00

          @Serapis:
          Remind me to - not - buy you a flamethrower for Christmas…

  • caidstech on 14/08/2014 - 15:34
    +3

    Seriously cannot believe this hasn't been suggested yet.

    Honey Badger

    (Ref: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg)

  • shaybisc on 14/08/2014 - 18:41

    "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'd be surprised if your roof isn't full of roof rats once the snake goes.

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 14/08/2014 - 20:00

      It's one sealed off room and 2 cats would be quite welcoming

  • slow on 15/08/2014 - 15:20
    +2

    I would happily swap the rats in my roof for your snake. In fact someone once suggested putting a snake in there to get rid of them as nothing else seems to have worked

    • kwaker on 15/08/2014 - 21:55
      -1

      what works well is mixing plaster of paris with chocolate drinking powder and flour. make sure you put a bowl of water somewhere for them to drink.

      • phluffed on 25/08/2014 - 22:49

        I came for the snake-related laughs, left with this… you my have solved my Rat issue… but how do I deal with the choc-a-holic cats that refuse to leave now?

  • TheMoDz on 15/08/2014 - 16:18
    +1

    reading all the OPs comments and damn.
    thats a one smart snake

  • Bappy on 18/08/2014 - 19:07

    My heart just missed a bit as soon as I saw this post… my wife saw a green snake on our backyard approx 3/4 months ago… then its disappeared. I Searched but couldn't find the snake. We both started panicking because our son plays at backyard. So called a snake catcher, same story: there is a call out fee but no guarantee of catching it. I was more than happy to pay him but he strongly assured me it would have been gone. So far didn't see the snake after that (although we just returned from overseas after 9 weeks).

    Had a chat with one of the staff member at my local Bunnings, luckily he is a pest controller. He recommended to use the lawn grub spray which contains some sort of chemical that deters the snakes away… (it worked for him, at least against tiger snakes)

    I did that and hoping not to see the snake again… problem is I have rock/boulder retaining wall on the back of my property and a big rain water tank (plus we were away for approx 9 weeks)… don't know if we will meet the snake again if s/he is hiding/hibernating somewhere inside my place.

    OP - try lawn grub spray… it might help.

    • kwaker on 19/08/2014 - 02:33
      +6

      you need to calm down mate, green tree snakes aren't on a mission to stalk and kill you. you haven't seen it so its gone

      • Bappy on 19/08/2014 - 07:44

        Thanks… this is exactly what I am telling the wife :)

      • IdLikeToBeATree on 20/08/2014 - 20:10
        +1

        Mine is.. :P

  • UncommonName on 25/08/2014 - 03:14
    +2

    Update? What did you do with the snake OP?

    • IdLikeToBeATree on 01/09/2014 - 16:34

      No one ever ended up coming to get it, I haven't been in the room much for a couple of weeks now so unsure if he is still there or not, it has gotten really hot during the day here now though so hopefully my boarder of 10 months has finally left

      • UncommonName on 01/09/2014 - 19:10
        +1

        Whatever you do, keep us updated.

        • IdLikeToBeATree on 20/09/2014 - 10:45
          +2

          Update: He isn't above my music room anymore and haven't seen him around the verandah. He is however now above my kitchen/dining area slithering around the roof (at least a person can get into this part)

  • Savas on 04/10/2017 - 14:28

    got a brown snake living near my dogs, any ideas?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/10/2017 - 17:26
      +1

      Could be worse, but not by much - https://www.instagram.com/p/BWwDIVYAP3N/

      Don't click on that.

      I've sent you a pm.

      • Savas on 04/10/2017 - 18:06

        Oh no!!

    • Baysew on 04/10/2017 - 18:09
      +1

      got a brown snake living near my dogs, any ideas?

      Return it to OP.

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