[Minniemom]

OK, while this may not seem like a big deal to some of you, it is huge for me. Hubby was mowing the lawn today and saw a coral snake by the air conditioning unit. He looked it up and turns out it is def a coral. I have three small kids and no I am afraid to let them play outside. Yes, I know, it has probably been there for some time, but now I know and I can't get the vision of my two year old thining it's a stick and going to grab it cause it looks pretty and getting bit - out of my head. So, what do I do? Is there anyway to get it to "move out?". Can I (hubby) kill it? Do you think there are more? I'm freaking out over this and I know my FL buddies can help. Right?

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

OK, while this may not seem like a big deal to some of you, it is huge for me. Hubby was mowing the lawn today and saw a coral snake by the air conditioning unit. He looked it up and turns out it is def a coral. I have three small kids and no I am afraid to let them play outside. Yes, I know, it has probably been there for some time, but now I know and I can't get the vision of my two year old thining it's a stick and going to grab it cause it looks pretty and getting bit - out of my head. So, what do I do? Is there anyway to get it to "move out?". Can I (hubby) kill it? Do you think there are more? I'm freaking out over this and I know my FL buddies can help. Right?

You should catch it and sell it to a snake farm where they collect venom that is used to make antitoxin with. I think that is still legal as I know of no protection provided for them at this time. Seems like they were a very valuable commodity at one time but that was many years ago. I suggest that you contact a local or state wildlife agency for current rules before doing anything. It's hard for them to bite with small mouths but I still would not take any chances. We went through similiar with pygmy rattlers with a 2 year old and know where you are coming from.

[Minniemom]

Originally Posted by Nomadicus

You should catch it and sell it to a snake farm where they collect venom that is used to make antitoxin with. I think that is still legal as I know of no protection provided for them at this time. Seems like they were a very valuable commodity at one time but that was many years ago. I suggest that you contact a local or state wildlife agency for current rules before doing anything. It's hard for them to bite with small mouths but I still would not take any chances. We went through similiar with pygmy rattlers with a 2 year old and know where you are coming from.

hmm, snake farm, huh? I'll have to look into that. How in the world would you catch a snake anyway?

[riveree]

You can try calling your local Animal Control for a referral to a snake removal person.

[Nomadicus]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

hmm, snake farm, huh? I'll have to look into that. How in the world would you catch a snake anyway?

Animal control should have one. It's a noose thing amajig on the end of a long stick or pole so you catch from a safe distance. I've seen it done by pros. Don't go after one with a mason jar and a lid. Animal control may be your safest and best answer. I usually think of them for cats and dogs but they do handle most every sort of critter up to alligators. Anything they can't handle they call in professional trappers when there is a safety threat.

[Mike1306]

Walk up to it and grab it behind the head and then grab the tail.
Corals are not that fast.
You can take my word on it.
I did 3 days in intensive care from a coral snake bite.

[Tungsten_Udder]

Originally Posted by Mike Peterson

Walk up to it and grab it behind the head and then grab the tail.
Corals are not that fast.
You can take my word on it.
I did 3 days in intensive care from a coral snake bite.

lol--that last sentence doesn't sound like a good commercial for trying to catch it onself. Sounds almost like, "They's easy ter catch--I only spent three days inna hospiturl"

I agree with calling either animal control or a local reptile "farm", if you have one.

[FLBob]

My wife has a phobic fear of snakes. For years I've been using a product known as Snake Away. It's ground up mothballs. I sprinkle it around the house and in all our garden beds. If I do it regularly it seems to work.

[ChrisA70]

Don't tell someone to catch a snake like this, come on..... Why not run out on the highway in front of a semi? Call animal control, they will send out a trapper. I had to do this a few times at apartment complexes where I worked. Catch the snake... sheesh!!!

[Muggy]

http://www.jnhasty.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/machete.jpg (broken link)

I should add that I am not joking here. I asked a boss at work how she deals with snakes, she said she used to ignore them, but now that she has kids she uses a machete and hacks them up.