Snake proofing your dog areas

We have gone for the "try to keep the buggers out" option. We have installed chain link fencing wrapped in shade cloth around the perimeter of the dog yards. The perimeter is recessed into the ground 300-400mm for some added protection.

These photos were taken when we first moved in. We have been here for 2 1/2 years now and touch wood, no snakes in the dog yards although now I have probably jinxed us!

Hey.... I cant guarentee if these work or not but I have a couple ( just in case!). They are like solar pannel lights that make a humming noise and vibrate the ground! www.snakerepellent.com.au or type in "stop snakes" and the website should come up!

I have heard of a guy down here ( Down south) that put a few around his house and sat down to have a drink on the patio and within 20 minutes of putting the repellers out he saw 2 snakes leave his patio area that he didnt even know he had! Thats positive!

Its a constant in Australia that we are going to have to deal with this. And the options are fence 'em out, and risk having them get in and not be able to get out, in which case you run the risk of the snake/s having to defend themselves against a pack of dogs instinctively intent on killing a known threat,[and likely receiving a strike for their troubles] or leaving the yards open to exposure from snakes and every other manner of wildlife that chooses the dog yard as their pathway and allowing them the opportunity to move through unhindewred or retreat if there is a threat such as a defending dog pack.
Many people go with the former option and swear it works, however you will force snakes around an enclosure and they will eventually find an entry, you cannot 100% "snake proof" as snakes will find every single little weak point and can squeeze into the most minute spaces and I have observed them climb over 3ft off the ground over walls. I find the latter option can have just as good results and can be very effective especially when an electric wire is run close to or in the ground around the perimeter. My own dog enclosure is simple dog/deer fencing on strainer wire supported by split posts. The electric fencing is inside of this 7 strands from ground to 6ft high with an outrigger on the outside [to keep the horses off the fence] and to help keep the wild dogs at bay. The lowest strand sits close to the ground although my friend had his closer and swore it kept the snakes out. The electrical pulses from the fence tend not to agree with their movements. I have also heard old wives tales regarding running old sump oil along the perimeter etc. however this is not good for the environment or the dogs. By far the absolutely best way to keep snakes out is to get some guinea fowl running around the outer yards. They are the No1. snake excluders by far and will not let any snakes into the yard. Failing all that, the next best defence is a 1.5m length of rural poly pipe with a 1.5m length of chain bolted to the end!

We found bird netting folded in 2, buried and secured 4 feet up the dog run fence perfect.(We also had shade cloth behind) Once the head is in they are trapped. Checked morning and night with a 4/10 solved any problems

Living in a very heavily populated snake area (mainly Black's, Brown's, and Copperheads)as we do, you can do all you like to keep them at bay. But the simple fact is this ..... they will still be there!!! I have seen snakes dig into a yard (a Red Belly), I have seen them climb up chain mesh and they keep persisting. Black's and Copperheads will generally stay away from dogs, but Brown's and tigers won't.

What we have found is mow the area outside the pens (4-5m) and don't build pens in the bush. Also, don't have piles of rubbish or wood etc around the area. The more open, the better. It does seem to help, but we still end up killing a couple every year.

Also, something to remember. The red belly is a natural predator to the brown. It's much better to have those guys around than browns!!!!

Well it happened - we had a 5 foot brown hit Rookie last Friday. He is fine now but it took 2 vials of anti-venine... what a top start to the year.

Damn snake was in the shed and not the paddocks.