The snake mesh has really small grids, and because of this, it can keep it's shape longer than chicken wire. I had a hard time, removing he U-nails from the snake mesh recently - when I had to replace the wooden handles on my tractor.
I looked around the internet, and couldn't find any way to remove them, which didn't involve a screw-driver, or tools I didn't possess. I successfully removed some with a screwdriver, otherwise, I made mince meat of my knuckles when I'd slip and run them against the mesh. Three slips and two band-aides later, I devised my own method.
For anyone who wants to successfully remove U-nails from timber, get a small drill bit and put holes on either side. See above image. Then they slip right out with a screw driver. My knuckles breathed a sigh of relief!
This python was climbing up to the roof, about a week ago. And it's precisely why I use snake mesh, on a chicken tractor, designed to hold chicks. Snakes can squeeze through some small places, because they're effectively all muscle. They would love to make a meal out of my new hatchlings.
Well, not if I can help it.
Excellent tip about the staples (u nails). We have some large ones that we use for fencing and they come in handy for other applications.
ReplyDeleteSnake mesh. We call it "hardware cloth" which does not seem to lend itself to any application, but "snake mesh" is a good name! I also used it on my beehive last winter to keep mice out.
Yes, it's definitely good for mice deterrents as well. Pity it was the naughty skunks which got your bees to abscond, in the end. I'm glad we don't have such critters like skunks in Australia. I'll stick with our poisonous snakes and spiders, which do their best, not to be noticed or smelt. ;)
DeleteYikes! I assume that python isn't venomous! Certainly he would love those chicks. I've never used U staples; I always have trouble hitting them in and fingers get hammered. I've mostly attached my various wire with cable ties. It means drilling 2 small holes to thread them through, but much easier to remove them.
ReplyDelete(I presume the previous commenter is American. I've always wondered what hardware cloth was).
Not venemous, but apparently their bights still hurt, because they can carry bacteria in their teeth. Plus, they have big teeth! Thankfully, pythons are the most gentle of the snakes we get around here.
DeleteI had one give me a warning bight, in the chicken coop a few years ago. It was up in the rafters and I didn't notice it was there. But I came awfully close to it, which made it strike. It only grazed the rim of my hat. A gentle nudge to move along, and I eagerly obliged, lol.
Yep, Leigh is from the US and writes a good blog about small acreage. :)
Snakes give me the creeps....probably on account of having been bitten by one as a teenager. Our problem is rats...massive ones.
ReplyDeleteGolly, I sure hope the snake wasn't poisonous. Although you lived to tell the tale. ;)
DeleteI personally don't like the brown snakes. They scare me how they move so fast, with their heads up. The pythons on the other hand, are slow moving with their heads down.
I don't like the sound of your rat problem though. I bet they're after your chicken feed. I hate to say it, but a few transitory pythons, would solve that problem for you. Though I'm sure you'd rather live with the rats. Sometimes we only get hard choices with nature. Sometimes. ;)