Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
In 25 years we have never had issues with mice. I am sure we are still mice free since we have evidence of a 6' snake making the RV his home. We found the skin in the storage outside. Inside there is snake poop. OMG!!! Until we know it is no longer in there and find out how it got inside I can't even think about sleeping in it. Has anyone else found a snake in their RV?
The only snake in my RV was invited. I have a young Pueblan Milk Snake named Marley. Not sure I would be too fond of a hitch hiker though. Snakes are like mice, they can fit through a VERY small opening, and don't move around terribly frequently. Places to check would be spots where it's dark and warm. Think refrigerator coils or behind the water heater, bottom of closets/cupboards, etc. After they eat they lay around digesting for 5-10 days before going out to hunt again. I only see Marley once a week or so when he starts periscoping from under his water dish (current favorite hiding spot) to tell me he wants to eat again.
OhMy! I would not like that, although my cats would let me know something is there if the snake didn't get it one of them first. Where are you located?
OhMy! I would not like that, although my cats would let me know something is there if the snake didn't get it one of them first. Where are you located?
Loretta,
For the most part, cats can take care of snakes themselves. We used to have a cat that would kill rattlesnakes. I never saw her actually kill one, although I observed her playing with one, trying to get it to strike. Had it struck at her, I have no doubt that she would have nailed it. We would find snake carcasses in the yard and the surrounding area.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
We are in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was in storage. Has been stored there for 5 years and never no issues. Have never seen any evidence of mice either. We think it was a rat snake. We were told that there was been a snake under the rv. We thought they were just kidding. lol. I don't think it is still in their. I just don't want to wake up with one crawling across my bed.
A couple years ago I found a 4 ft black snake inside the MH curled up in the corner of a slide out. I have no idea how it got inside, but we are on a ranch in TX so they are common...and plentiful. Knowing that those buggers are super fast, I just used a stick to poke him toward the open coach door. He was gone in a flash. Just glad it wasn't a rattler.
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When it comes to the hereafter, I want to be in the no smoking section.
Oh my Sherry, yikes is right! Good luck with the snake saga! Think I'd have my pillow and blankey out on the ground; but the rest of his family may be out there! Keep us posted. Feed your cat less and turn it into a "hunter"! Best Regards, LeO
DW called me at work one day, she was unintelligible and more than a wee bit upset. I could make out snake and house. Beyond that I was walking into this blind. I rushed home to find a Pygmy rattler, dead, stuck to some packing tape on a box on the dryer. I got her calmed down, probably should have sedated her. She was fine after that but I didnt sleep well for several nights. After we moved out of the house I told her the snake wasn't on the box when I put it there, so, the snake had to be alive when he crawled up there. I don't miss living in the country in north Florida much.
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MarkS & Jackie MSgt, USAF, Ret 2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed 2014 Trilogy 3650RE fulltime since Oct 8, 2016
Before our retiring, meeting and joining the RVing lifestyle I lived alone in the most charming guest house on an acre and a half in Palos Verdes on a hilltop between two canyons. My office was in the separate two car garage and I stored my bike and other stuff there as well. I moved to Oregon and put everything in storage for a few months for a job that did not work out. Then I moved to Ohio. Next summer I took my bike out of the garage for a ride. I had one of those little packs that fit under the seat for the lock, etc. when I went to put the cable and lock in the pack I found a smaller rattler skin coiled up on top of the pack! I've often wondered where he got off and if I gave him a few rides.
In CA I had a 10 x 20 ft herb & flower garden between my cottage and the garage. One day I came home and around the corner of the house and heard a sound that I first thought sounded like a hissing broken sprinkler line, then I saw my big ole cat crouched in a pouncing position staring at the garden. There was a big fat 6 or 7 ft. (O.k. Seemed like 10 ft.!) coiled hissing rattler in the middle very agitated by the cat. I got the cat in the house and called the Sheriffs office and asked for help and also my girl friend who lived next door. The sheriff did not send out deputies for snake calls but I pleaded the "woman living alone" card so two nice depuites came. First the asked if I minded them tossing a big concrete block at it as it would crush some herbs.of course not, have at it. That big block just bounced off the rattler and made him (they're always "him" to me). So I said " shoot him". The deputy looked at me and said, "lady, you have no idea how much paperwork we'd have to fill out for just one bullet!"
Eventually animal control came and took him away.
I'd have to avoid too many beautiful states to avoid those critters.
Sherry
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I don't know where I'm going but I'm on my way. - Carl Segan
Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD
Western Washington has two snakes I know about and both are small and harmless (not poisonous), garter snakes and rubber boas. These are two of the easiest snakes to have around, they normally leave when they see you. Rubber boas are mellow enough they are used to help people overcome fear of snakes. I have not seen a rubber boa in the wild, but have seen many garter snakes. Elma is a good place for someone who doesn't want to deal with snakes.
Eastern Washington state does have some rattlesnakes, but they are not common and I only saw one in the many years I lived there.
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Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid Journal at http://www.sacnoth.com Full-timing since July 2003
We have locus here that can sound like a rattler when their shedding. Thats what I thought the sound was when I was working under the camper...
On a wee bit closer inspection it was a very upset rattler. It became a very dead upset rattler.
Jim, sounds like a close call to me. Glad it worked out ok. We've had our 5er in the drive way for about 4 weeks now, but will be heading out tomorrow. Will be keeping an eye pealed for anything out of the ordinary as we pack in the morning. DH always sprays for bugs around the tires and outriggers, but don't know if that would discourage a slithery visitor. We haven't had one in almost 3 years so far. But reading this thread gives me the willies.
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CK PK 2011 Ford F 350 Dually 2011 Carriage Cameo 37CKSLS Retired early 2011
OK, I really didn't need to reach this. After 11.5 years in Western WA I had gotten way too comfortable not thinking about anything other than the occasional garter snake. We're currently in NE WY and yes, a Google search revealed lots of snakes. I guess it's a good thing we're headed to SD tomorrow, and NO I didn't Google snakes in the Rapid City area. Snakes are one of those things that really make me "scream like a girl". Dale laughs at all the stuff I can handle and then how high I jumped when doing yard work and a garter snake slittered through. Yep, I don't like those critters at all and they scare the living daylights out of me. Don't ask him about our bike ride where we encountered a rattler while living in the Dallas area, I still have nightmares.
OK, I really didn't need to reach this. After 11.5 years in Western WA I had gotten way too comfortable not thinking about anything other than the occasional garter snake. We're currently in NE WY and yes, a Google search revealed lots of snakes. I guess it's a good thing we're headed to SD tomorrow, and NO I didn't Google snakes in the Rapid City area. Snakes are one of those things that really make me "scream like a girl". Dale laughs at all the stuff I can handle and then how high I jumped when doing yard work and a garter snake slittered through. Yep, I don't like those critters at all and they scare the living daylights out of me. Don't ask him about our bike ride where we encountered a rattler while living in the Dallas area, I still have nightmares.
OK, Ruth. I won't ask Dale.
Now, how aboutYOUtelling us about it??????
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
In 25 years we have never had issues with mice. I am sure we are still mice free since we have evidence of a 6' snake making the RV his home. We found the skin in the storage outside. Inside there is snake poop. OMG!!! Until we know it is no longer in there and find out how it got inside I can't even think about sleeping in it. Has anyone else found a snake in their RV?
If you have the time without using the rig: Clean up all traces of the snake and wait 30 days. If no more evidence appears then you have a 99.9% chance that the snake has moved on.
Snakes are only going to hang out near a food source, so if there is no food, they will move on.
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RIG: 2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins 2006 Outback 27 RSDS Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix. Full Time since June 2006
In 25 years we have never had issues with mice. I am sure we are still mice free since we have evidence of a 6' snake making the RV his home. We found the skin in the storage outside. Inside there is snake poop. OMG!!! Until we know it is no longer in there and find out how it got inside I can't even think about sleeping in it. Has anyone else found a snake in their RV?
If you have the time without using the rig: Clean up all traces of the snake and wait 30 days. If no more evidence appears then you have a 99.9% chance that the snake has moved on.
Snakes are only going to hang out near a food source, so if there is no food, they will move on.
This is all fine but, depending on the snake, wouldn't people be a food source? I'm not trying to rattle anyone but it is always wise to check your moccasins before slipping your feet into them.
Boas, (not native to U.S. but are in the Everglades), when they reach about 15 feet can kill an adult, but all other snakes do not have humans listed as a food source.
Snake bites on humans occur as defensive measure by the snake. I agree to check your shoes, as there are also insects capable of causing real pain that will hide in shoes. Again, food source? Nope.
-- Edited by Dog Folks on Monday 19th of August 2013 10:05:01 AM
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RIG: 2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins 2006 Outback 27 RSDS Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix. Full Time since June 2006
In 25 years we have never had issues with mice. I am sure we are still mice free since we have evidence of a 6' snake making the RV his home. We found the skin in the storage outside. Inside there is snake poop. OMG!!! Until we know it is no longer in there and find out how it got inside I can't even think about sleeping in it. Has anyone else found a snake in their RV?
If you have the time without using the rig: Clean up all traces of the snake and wait 30 days. If no more evidence appears then you have a 99.9% chance that the snake has moved on.
Snakes are only going to hang out near a food source, so if there is no food, they will move on.
This is all fine but, depending on the snake, wouldn't people be a food source? I'm not trying to rattle anyone but it is always wise to check your moccasins before slipping your feet into them.
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MarkS & Jackie MSgt, USAF, Ret 2004 Volvo 780 530 HP Cummins 13 speed 2014 Trilogy 3650RE fulltime since Oct 8, 2016
As far as I know, a snake swallows its prey whole, so it would take a mighty big snake to consider humans as food.
Another consideration is to make sure one is also controlling any populations of mice. Mice are a food source and snakes are drawn to them. When I was managing a country grain elevator, we had a big metal storage "bin" collapse and spill about 140,000 bushels of grain out on the ground. Needless to say, we had a huge increase in the mouse population, which led to an increase in snakes. That led to some very fat cats from killing and eating both mice and snakes, and a very nervous grain elevator manager watching every step he took for months to come.
I can tolerate most snakes, but I really don't like rattlesnakes. I've had too many "close encounters" with those critters.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout