[handieman]

I was wandering around our modest landscaping and admiring the growth that has taken place in the past 30 days and noticed some things that needed attention. While I was attending to these items I wondered how many TV homeowners also forget these items.

The donuts, I so proudly installed were in need of "redressing" or in other words they needed to be dug up and the grass cleared away in reinstalled. In my travels you woulldn't beleive the number of popups that just didn't pop up due to dense grass over growth. Do you know where all your sprinkler heads are?? I'll bet 8 out of 10 homeowners could not show me where each and every one was. If you can't see it, chances are that it's nearly covered over with grass

The upright sprinkler heads were now spraying branches rather than spraying the entire area. Adding extensions once again reestablished their coverage.

The popup sprinkler heads all needed to be activated and and checked for proper spray coverage. I also noticed that the "lawn mower guys" have a tendency to beat on them pretty hard and two of my neighbors had their own private "old faithfuls" from broken off heads.

Snakes are prowling. We had 3 sightings in the past two weeks. One a pigmy rattler which I removed and insisted he relocate some where else with a garden rake and the other a water mocassin which I didn't see, and one unkown critter who got run over by a car. Snakes love to spend their idle time under cement or rocks because of the warmth they provide. Walk up and down your sidewalk and look for entry/exit holes. I suggest if you see one then chances are good that you have company. Watch where you reach when working in the flower beds.

Just Saying
Handie

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by handieman

I was wandering around our modest Snakes are prowling. We had 3 sightings in the past two weeks. One a pigmy rattler which I removed and insisted he relocate some where else with a garden rake and the other a water mocassin which I didn't see, and one unkown critter who got run over by a car. Snakes love to spend their idle time under cement or rocks because of the warmth they provide. Walk up and down your sidewalk and look for entry/exit holes. I suggest if you see one then chances are good that you have company. Watch where you reach when working in the flower beds.

Just Saying
Handie

Dumb question again. Arn't both of these venemous? Does one need antivenem or something onhand?

[k2at]

Thanks Handieman for starting this thread. I hate snakes and get goose bumps just thinking about them. Now everytime I go out to weed the landscaping I will be thinking of your post. Add to that the disclosure on the news the other night that Florida has an ABUNDANCE of boa constrictors roaming about eating dogs and cats and I guess I will just stay in the house all day and not roam outside too much.

Since I purchased our house, I make it a habit of never walking on the lawn after dark. If I can't see where I am stepping in the tall grass, it is time to only walk on the road.

[conn8757]

Handie - good advice - my sister-in-law (who lives in Atlanta) just spent several days in the hospital after being bit by a venomous snake - just on the tip of her finger. Her whole arm swelled up - when she required it the anti-venom - it turns out that can be as dangerous as the bite. They keep a crash cart near you when admnistering the anti-venom. She is fine now, but I might add, be sure and wear gloves when working in the flower beds/garden - she was just going to pick up a handful of leaves when she was bit.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by conn8757

Handie - good advice - my sister-in-law (who lives in Atlanta) just spent several days in the hospital after being bit by a venomous snake - just on the tip of her finger. Her whole arm swelled up - when she required it the anti-venom - it turns out that can be as dangerous as the bite. They keep a crash cart near you when admnistering the anti-venom. She is fine now, but I might add, be sure and wear gloves when working in the flower beds/garden - she was just going to pick up a handful of leaves when she was bit.

Ummmmmm "Crash Cart" ???? Dare i ask??
Handie

[handieman]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

Dumb question again. Arn't both of these venemous? Does one need antivenem or something onhand?

Yes! and I don't know
Handie

[handieman]

Originally Posted by k2at

Thanks Handieman for starting this thread. I hate snakes and get goose bumps just thinking about them. Now everytime I go out to weed the landscaping I will be thinking of your post. Add to that the disclosure on the news the other night that Florida has an ABUNDANCE of boa constrictors roaming about eating dogs and cats and I guess I will just stay in the house all day and not roam outside too much.

Since I purchased our house, I make it a habit of never walking on the lawn after dark. If I can't see where I am stepping in the tall grass, it is time to only walk on the road.

Now don't become a recluse! I didn't mean to skeer you into being paranoid
Handie

[NJblue]

How far do you live from water? I thought the common wisdom on this board was that you need to live very close to water for snakes to be an issue.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by NJblue

How far do you live from water? I thought the common wisdom on this board was that you need to live very close to water for snakes to be an issue.

Lake, (detention pond, I call em) about block away (thus the water mocassin and a woods behind us (thus the rattler family)
I might add that the pigmy rattler was small as in the name (14 inches and small girth, but man was he fiesty
Handie

[Peazoup]

Hey Handie - darn but you're smart! Is there nothing you don't know??? Two questions for you: Does the regular pest control (Massy) do anything to prevent snakes from moving in? And, do you do your own pest prevention treatments?

[Dutch1962]

Lowes sells Dr.T's snake away which is quite effective. Very few pest companies offer this.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by Peazoup

Hey Handie - darn but you're smart! Is there nothing you don't know??? Two questions for you: Does the regular pest control (Massy) do anything to prevent snakes from moving in? And, do you do your own pest prevention treatments?

Thank you Ms Peazoup, not smart, grew up poor and still poor but now the Federal Government is going to take care of all my needsso I'll have them take care of our snakes and pests. No wait they ARE the pests
I don't think anyone provides anti snake service but I could be wrong. I'm not tellin who does my pest control, the Feds might make me opt for early death, after all I am old
Just
Handie

[SUNNYMARYANN]

We need a separate threat in here "ASK HANDIE". He is full of good information. Handie create a blog for yourself.

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by SUNNYMARYANN

We need a separate threat in here "ASK HANDIE". He is full of good information. Handie create a blog for yourself.

Sunny you got part of it right. He's full alright.....My buddeee Handie

[JeanneBeannie]

Originally Posted by F16 1UB

Sunny you got part of it right. He's full alright.....My buddeee Handie

Good one F-16

Sorry Handie...just kidding lol

However, I agree Sunny...its a great idea