May 01 2010
Plastic Snakes For All Occasions
Plastic snakes can seem pretty creepy, especially the really authentic looking ones. They’re very hard to tell from the real thing and can get some strong reactions from people, especially those who hate these reptiles. And there are plenty of those people around. On the other hand, there’s a small minority of people who really LIKE snakes. Some are so partial to them they even keep snakes for pets.
Plastic replicas of snakes are becoming more life-like looking all the time. Sometimes they’re used to play a practical joke on an unsuspecting victim and their realistic looks can be very convincing. It’s kind of mean to put a fake snake on the floor of Mom’s shower, but what kid hasn’t done something like that at least once?
There’s an old, trusted volume of advice and tips with which you may be familiar, called the Farmers Almanac. Their recommendation is to use toy snakes in the garden to keep away certain pests. Rats, mice and rabbits will all leave the area when they see a snake there, even though it’s only a fake. These animals have learned the lesson of self-preservation and know that snakes are natural enemies. Good for you and good for your garden.
There are other places these pretend snakes can be used for rodent deterrence. These include the greenhouse, the swimming pool and the patio area. Rats eventually become immune to rat bait but will never lose their fear of being a snake’s next meal. Plus this method of rodent control is so much more environmentally friendly. It’s a great solution to a common problem.
Plastic snakes are becoming popular for use in a totally unrelated area, too… Plumbing. The similarity of the two kinds of snakes is in name only. In the old days, drain snakes were made out of metal. They were heavy and cumbersome and always seemed to rust after one use, but they worked pretty well to unclog the clog.
The newer drain uncloggers are made from plastic instead of metal. The development of stronger and more durable plastics has made this possible. They’re lighter in weight, easier to use and won’t rust. But that’s not the best part. Some of these units come equipped with an attachment that turns a normal snake into a water jet blaster that thoroughly cleans drainpipes. It’s a big improvement from the older methods.
Water-powered drain cleaners work great and can save a lot of hassles. They can also save you money because, as you may know, plumbers aren’t cheap. You can easily keep your own drains clean and prevent them from clogging. That way, you won’t have to call in the expensive professional to ‘bail you out’.
Now you know what’s what about plastic snakes and their varied uses. Use them to scare Mom, or to scare away the critters from the garden or to unclog your drains and traps. Let your conscience be your guide on the first one, though. Paybacks can be harsh!
plastic toy snake Bigger snakes are fed with squirrel, rabbits and other small mammals. Some people only feel safe with what is considered “normal” pets. Even small juvenile crocodilians become hard to handle after one year.
Related posts:
