Anti-snake treatment for wood racks

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Preparation Forum : One Thread

I recently had a local welder build me a two-cord wood rack, and before the wood was delivered, my neighbor suggested salting the ground beneath the rack to permanently discourage various critters.

Sowing salt there renders the ground useless (no weeds), and snakes, fire ants and other varmints will avoid it. I can't think of much worse than a rattlesnake or copperhead bite when the doctor or hospital is no longer a 911 call away.

Just a thought for those storing wood.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), July 06, 1999

Answers

Thanks, Vic. We are just starting to cut some fallen trees into a big stack of firewood and I was wondering how to discourage it from being a varmint hideout.

-- texan (bullseye@ranch.com), July 07, 1999.

Vic, This is a much-appreciated tip. Which would be preferable, regular or rock salt - or either?

-- Jill from GA (jdance@mindspring.com), July 07, 1999.

Jill:

I supposed either would work. I used regular table salt. You may remember from your school days (history) that the Romans, after dispatching the enemy, sowed the vanquished's field with salt to keep them from growing crops. Actually a longer lasting method and result than dropping bombs from 15,000 feet.

By the way, the guy who delivered my wood suggested not covering the rack. It'll age faster out in the open and wasps are less likely to make it their home. Another unwanted, unpleasant surprise when fetching wood.

-- Vic (Rdrunner@internetwork.net), July 08, 1999.


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