Got another question for you Pros.

What's a good snake repellent? I've used pure sulfur in times past but now I'm being told that it doesn't work.

I'm heading out on a snake job this morning to take up my unproductive traps. She had a copper head in the yard for two days, took pictures of it and called me. When I got there the snake was long gone. I can find no sign of it under the house but I set my traps anyway to give her some peace of mind. I would like to treat the crawl space of her house to satisfy any remaining fear that she has.

Any suggestions?

Mayonnaise & pink jellybeans works as well as any of them.

Want a suggestion don't even get into the repellent game. They have little residual value and don't last very long ,if at all and you will end up being responsible when they see a snake again.

We've used Snake Out (has a strong cinnamon smell) to move snakes out of a void where we couldn't reach in with tongs. Some species really appear to be affected by it in close quarters.

Good point John and in close quarters you probably expected nearly immediate results. Pure cinnamon spice by itself does the same thing and gets around pesticide use laws.

Products with Clove Oil or Eugenol I find work even better. are what I recommend and they used succesffully with brown snakes in the Pacific. Its cheapest when you buy this repellent in bulk http://www.wwmponline.com/e-f/eugenol-excipient-grade-gallon-drum-p-11951.html

Let the pest control companies sell repellents if they are looking for prevention and you be the guy to call when they see a snake. I rarely do snake emergencies unless the customer commits to keeping their eyes on their $200-300 snake.

I understand the principle behind sulfur. Supposedly, it gets between their scales and irritates the skin. But I don't have any proof that it works or doesn't, for that matter.

I also understand that ANY replant is only temporary. I'd just like to offer it as an extra service for their peace of mind.

This particular job, I don't believe I'll catch anything as I'm fairly sure that it was a "passer by" indecent. The place is clean, well maintained and free from debris and obstructions that would normally hold snakes. What few ornamental bushes they have are well trimmed and the flower beds are clean and neat. Nothing is growing up against the house giving snakes little cover. Plus they have two dogs in the house that spend much of the day in the backyard and a huge stray cat that is always there. It just not a place where you would expect to find snakes.

But I would like to do something more for this lady to ease her fears and help her sleep better at night.

i had that happen last year... the lady called and said she had it blocked in her living room.. i asked... "are you sure".. YES!! get here fast!! I was 40 minutes away and she was sitting in a chair in the kitchen watching the living room. snake was nowhere to be found... i asked if she left the room... she said she had to go to the bathroom but wasnt gone 5 minutes..... grrrrrrrrr snake was never found.

Black folk down here swear by sulfur. I am just saying Muddawg give her a refrigerator magnet and promise to come back.

We have our fair share of snakes in Florida. The whole repellent thing can back fire on you and bad news travels faster then good news. All these snake phobic people will remember is you sold them the stuff that is not working 6 months later and its all your fault.

My trouble is, by the time they call me, the snake has been long gone for two or three days. Then it's a matter of setting useless traps that catch nothing and repelling future problems.

What kinda traps . I do well with snake traps

Box type with glue boards, mostly.

They work sometimes. But if it's a large snake, they can get out and off of the glue. I had that happen with a chicken snake last fall. I found the glue board 12 feet from the trap where he wallowed it off in the grass. I had a perfect line of snake scales stuck in the glue, though.

I've had some luck with hinged door box traps baited with live mice. It's very similar to a colony trap, except the box is constructed of wood and the doors are cut from Lexan glass. It's just a lot of trouble trying to keep up with live mice all the time.

I miss more than I catch. Many times I already know I won't catch them when I set the trap. I knew this time that traps would be in vain but she felt better with me trying.

Can you please describe it's markings Muddawg?

Robb, I checked that link. $1700.00 for a five gallon container. Is that supposed to be cut with something or did I just copy the wrong link?

The Snake Out that I use has no EPA Registration number and it states on the container that it is EPA exempt. It's not like Snake Away. I pay about $30.00 for a 4 gallon container.

SNAKE OUT Snake Repellent Label and MSDS- http://nisuscorp.com/images/uploads/documents-specimen-labels/label_msds_snakeout.pdf

Thanks Ron.

John that was a link to the good stuff that's about $125 a gallon when you buy 56 gallons.

This stuff is concentrated . Why would you even think of diluting it

Its dilluted with 98 parts water, 1 part eugenol and 1 part sodium laurel sulfate

That's enough Eugenol to make 5488 gallons and that expensive 5 gallon makes 490 gallons diluted for a little over $3 a gallon.
But you may need a permit from the US Dept of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service and all other permits to properly use it.

http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/20399

SYMPTOMS: This compound is a primary irritant and sensitizer and can cause contact dermatitis. Irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract occurs. Ingestion of this compound may cause gastroenteritis, vomiting and gastric secretion of mucin. It may also cause abdominal burning, nausea, diarrhea and convulsions. Ingestion of large amounts can cause liver damage and gastrointestinal damage. Inhalation of this compound can lead to bronchial irritation, dizziness, and rapid and shallow breathing. Skin contact may cause an inflammatory reaction on the skin. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause allergic dermatitis. Eye contact may cause burns. Skin sensitization may also occur. Symptoms of exposure to this type of compound include intense irritation of all tissues, circulatory collapse, dysuria, hematuria, unconsciousness, tachycardia, pulmonary edema, bronchial pneumonia, abortion and irreversible renal damage.

I am pretty sure all snakes don't like it.

Seriously I never was a fan of repellents . I don't find it good business sense to use them . WCO's in California, New York and here in Florida can't even apply them with out a structural pest control license. So I may be a little prejudice.

Now here is a good link from Aphis http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nwrc/publications/Tech_Notes/TN_SnakeRepellents.pdf

Thanks Robb. By the way, it's also pretty good on toast