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  1. #1
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    Field mice for hungry snakes...

    Presently do not have any pet snakes but have several resident black snakes under the house and in various outbuildings who seem to co-exist quite nicely. One being close to ten feet long. They keep the field mouse issue to a minimum. Subsequently in the 10 years we have been in residence I have never put poison out just trapped the mice humanely and relocated them. Not an issue when my buddies are not hibernating and doing a splendid job of mouse control.


    With winter in full swing, I have had to up my trapping to keep the mice from getting into places I don't desire them to be, farmhouse included. I had been driving them a few miles away and releasing them, but with the freezing night temp's it is pretty much a death sentence to relocate them.


    Not knowing any fellow snake lovers to offer them to, trying to verify if they would even be viable meals for any constrictors out there. I am located between Fredericksburg and Richmond (Bowling Green) and would be willing to assist in their transportation.


    Appreciate the help,
    Mark


  2. #2
    BPnet Senior Member jmcrook's Avatar
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    Re: Field mice for hungry snakes...

    It’s generally not advisable to feed wild rodents to captive reptiles for the possibility of a parasitic load that could be passed to the animals consuming them


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  4. #3
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    Re: Field mice for hungry snakes...

    Makes sense. Appreciate the insight. Just have to look forward to the coming of spring, warmer temp's and my resident inhouse rodent control.

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  6. #4
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    I sure wouldn't feed them to my snakes- as jmcrook said, it's the parasite load I'd be concerned about.

    You might ask around -if there are any snake rescuers around you, THEY might want wild mice to help get a finicky wild-caught snake to eat in captivity- since wild rodents do smell & presumably taste different from domestic ones, & some snakes ARE known to care about that.

    But otherwise, I'd let the other hungry wildlife take them off your hands. Not literally, of course. But coyotes & birds of prey would certainly enjoy them, just saying.

    One thing: wild rodents do pose health risks to YOU too, so keep the handling & your exposure to a minimum, and be sure you wash your hands as if you'd been hugging a COVID patient.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  8. #5
    BPnet Veteran Hugsplox's Avatar
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    Re: Field mice for hungry snakes...

    Quote Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    But otherwise, I'd let the other hungry wildlife take them off your hands. Not literally, of course. But coyotes & birds of prey would certainly enjoy them, just saying.
    This^

    I know some people don't think about this, and this isn't a shot at you OP so please don't take it that way, but a lot of local predators be it birds or coyotes, come to know where there's a quick bite located especially during the winter. That's why it's recommended that you keep bird seed in your feeders even in the winter, because some birds will remember your house is a good spot for a snake when they're migrating.

    That mouse population might be maintaining a hawk family somewhere near/on your property, so if you can leave them for them, I would. Although growing up on a farm myself I 100% understand your desire to keep them out of the house haha

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    Re: Field mice for hungry snakes...

    Country living at its best, with hawks and eagles flying over leaving shadows the size of small planes, just watched a small hawk make a meal of a small bird out by our feeders yesterday... Plenty of free meals to be had between rabbits, squirrels and even ground hogs `round here. The mice don't venture far from the structures they inhabited so without the group of blk rat snakes hunting they have a free ticket. Not having a resident (inhouse) snake to enjoy, I regularly pickup and handle the outside residents. When I come across the ~10ft dude outside I'll escort him between outbuilding providing cover from any passing bald eagles. The least I can do for all their hard work.

    Appreciate the all the insightful info, good to know should I one day again acquire another indoor companion...


    Quote Originally Posted by Hugsplox View Post
    This^

    I know some people don't think about this, and this isn't a shot at you OP so please don't take it that way, but a lot of local predators be it birds or coyotes, come to know where there's a quick bite located especially during the winter. That's why it's recommended that you keep bird seed in your feeders even in the winter, because some birds will remember your house is a good spot for a snake when they're migrating.

    That mouse population might be maintaining a hawk family somewhere near/on your property, so if you can leave them for them, I would. Although growing up on a farm myself I 100% understand your desire to keep them out of the house haha

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