A Sticky Situation--any advice?

[WingedWolfPsion]

A wild garter snake somehow found his way into my house, and got himself stuck across two glue traps intended for mice. I used generous amounts of vegetable oil, and extricated him from that situation, but he still has some globs of the glue adhered to him, and is covered in vegetable oil.

He's resting in my quaratine rack at the moment (on the theory that if he had any mites, they're all dead now), but does anyone have any suggestions for getting the rest of the glue off of him without leaving residue behind? I'm concerned that once the oil wears off, he will become sticky again.

Should I keep him until his next shed? Is there another way to remove the glue residue without hurting him?

He's been a real nice guy through the entire process, aside from complicating the matter with a few alligator-rolls near the end.

[Shadera]

From one of the glue trap sites:

To remove from Pets, People and most surfaces: Dab a little vegetable oil or smooth peanut butter to the glue and let it sit for several minutes. Next, with a dry cloth, rub the area to remove the glue. Repeat as needed then wash with water and a mild detergent.

If you try the peanut butter, make sure you share some pictures.

[Mike41793]

I was gunna suggest PB too actually!
The oils from the peanuts get under the glue. One time i drive through a fresh construction site in my truck and some asphalt kicked up on the side of my car. My grandfather insisted i spread pb on it, leave it for a few hours, then wipe it off. It worked flawlessly lol!
But for this situation i would just hold onto him til his next shed so he doesnt go out and get leaves and grass stuck to himself. It could kill him

[WingedWolfPsion]

That's what I was thinking. I just hope he doesn't stick to the newspapers, lol.

[Mike41793]

maybe keep him on just a piece of cardboard so it cant get stuck to him? idk, just a thought

[WingedWolfPsion]

He's now lightly gummy, but seems to be moving around ok without taking the paper with him. Poor guy. He's got such a cute face, too. I do love garters.

[Mike41793]

oh ok, well thats good news! any pics?

[Evenstar]

If you try the peanut butter, make sure you share some pictures.

In all seriousness, peanut butter works amazingly well! My mom washed my hair with PB when I was 4 - I pressed silly putty into a mixing bowl and put the bowl on my head like a hat.

It worked!!

[angllady2]

Awwww, poor little fella.

I agree, I want pictures! I almost never see garter snakes here, to many stray cats. I miss them.

Gale

[WingedWolfPsion]

Here's the poor little mite:




The wet-looking mess is just vegetable oil. He's already gifted me with a mess of urates, but I won't disturb him again today--he's been through quite the ordeal, and this photo is the first time he's acted like a normal, skittish plains garter. I'll see about working on his stickiness a bit more tomorrow, after he's had a good rest.

I don't want to remove the oil yet, as he will become sticky again if I do.