Adders in the garden - how to discourage!

Posted by: AndyFelin on 15 May 2005

Problem: We have friends who live near Cheddar Gorge in Somerset and they have adders at the bottom of their (very large) garden. One of our friends is particularly snakeophobic and is finding it difficult to go into the garden.

Is there any way of discouraging the adders from sunbathing in their garden? They don't want to do them any harm.

Andy
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by 7V
Snakes tend to be very sensitive to vibration.

A pneumatic drill would be very effective but, if we assume your friends and their neighbours wouldn't go for that option, they could try rigging up an old speaker driver with the cone removed (so that it didn't make a noise). Submerge part of the frame in the earth. Just a speaker designer thought. Smile

Morris dancers would also work although the cure may be worse than ...

I also remember hearing that hedgehogs will eat adders. Can your friend import or encourage hedgehogs?

Regards
Steve M

PS: Seriously, English Nature do a publication which contains some information on snake deterence:
"Reptiles in Your Garden" - English Nature
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by Bob McC
An adder's venom is of only real threat to the very young, the old or the infirm. If you do get bitten you'd have plenty of time to get to A&E.
They are very timid so the presence of a dog or cat may deter them.

Bob
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by Mick P
Buy a Mongoose.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by AndyFelin
Thanks for the advice guys, I have passed it on to our friends.

I'm particularly drawn to the vibration control using a loudspeaker. I would think a loudspeaker playing any Norah Jones record would frighten off any reptile, well it would certainly frighten off me.

Andy
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by Two-Sheds
quote:
I'm particularly drawn to the vibration control using a loudspeaker. I would think a loudspeaker playing any Norah Jones record would frighten off any reptile, well it would certainly frighten off me.


not too sure about that one. According to the simpsons that will attract the snakes, using Barry White any way.
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by Steve2701
quote:
that will bring hedgehogs and they will eat snakes

Confused Confused

We are talking English hedgehogs, in an English garden, with English adders??

Hedgehogs eat worms, slugs etc..(& addore dog food!) Adders grow somewhat larger than worms & slugs... & a hedgehog would not be able to kill one.
Posted on: 15 May 2005 by Nime
I've seen a couple of adders in my life and they were far more scared of me than I of them.
They disappeared rapidly as I tied to sneak quietly up on them for a closer look.

Have these "adders" been properly identified or are they likely to be the more common and harmless Grass Snake?
Posted on: 16 May 2005 by AndyFelin
quote:
Originally posted by Nime:
I've seen a couple of adders in my life and they were far more scared of me than I of them.
They disappeared rapidly as I tied to sneak quietly up on them for a closer look.

Have these "adders" been properly identified or are they likely to be the more common and harmless Grass Snake?

Nime

Apparently a neighbour has confirmed the snakes as Adders (fairly common in this part of the world.

The reason they have been able to get fairly close to them is because they have not long been out of hibernation and are still a bit sluggish as the weather has been coolish.

Steve

I must admit I did wonder about a Hedgehog having a go at an Adder but knowing next to nothing about snakes bow to those with greater knowledge.

Andy

ps I've worked with a few snakes-in-the-grass but that's another story.