Snakes!

[loves2read]

a lid is not going to keep a raccoon out and you are right about the lights--even rural raccoons will go near lights if it is an area they are familiar with---
I know people who ran chains w/locks around the tops/through the rings on sides, trying to make it tight enough they could not push them off to open lids but coons are smart and have those prehensile hands that work pretty good--
thing to think about is calling the city and asking for animal control to bring traps--likewise the game warden for Tarrant Co--and there is one--you could poison them but don't know if you might kills a neighbor's cat even if your own was inside...

[IronManxxx]

I just killed a Mojave Rattlesnake in my garage on my way out the door to go to work on 6 Nov. These are the most poisonous snakes around this region, supposedly in West Texas, etc. Yeah right.

I have three small dogs and I worry about them. I keep my yard mowed, but they are out there, period.

My neighbor down the street killed one not long ago that have 3 rats inside of it. The one I found was about 2 foot long, 2 rattles (which you won't hear "rattle" and the characteristic white and black ringed tail which some refer to as a "coon rattler".

I hate snakes to start with but having this menace around, worries me with my little dogs.

Any recommendation how to keep "snakes" out of your yard, garage, etc?

[IronManxxx]

I think had I known what it was, I would have been a bit less bold in killing it by stepping on its head.

[loves2read]

what part of town are u in

[Dusty Rhodes]

Originally Posted by loves2read

colt--I think you are right about the spider thing---think the pest control people (not that they spray my house--we quit that a long time ago) don't spray into places where the brown recluse would be and they are inside as easy as outside the home...I think I kill about one or two a year around ours---our son was opening the garage door with the outside keypad and there was on hiding in the cover that he saw and killed---that would have been a nasty bite on a finger--probably would have lost it----

regarding raccoons--we don't have them even though we have a small creek behind our house as well-(possums we have had, however and they are really scary and mean)--Raccoons can be rabid and I think raccoons and skunks are the most likely carriers in wild animal land---they are smart, tribal, and strong--never argue with a raccoon no matter how small it seems...
regarding keeping them off your property or out of the cat food--you might try mothballs--or vinegar--raccoons have very keen sense of smell so anything that offends that might be to your advantage... don't know for sure but think I read or heard that mothballs might work...

I always preferred the "shotgun" approach. Either that, or, a .22 cal handgun, if you live around others, use .22 shorts, less noise. Then again, a cattle prod is also effective.

[Cathy4017]

The Mojave rattlesnake is not found in north Texas/DFW....it was most likely a Diamondback.

[ebuch]

I was just reading through this thread, how common are brown recluse spiders?