Hutchy wrote:
Growing up as a kid swimming in the Murray canal there were plenty of the water snakes, we called them black snakes. I would not suggest trying to pick them up because even though not poisonous they are quick to bite as a defense and they do have some teeth. They can get quite big too. To keep them out of your boat I would suggest tying it up away from any area where they can slither down into it. I don't believe they can scale up the side if there is nothing to grip onto. I was told they are protected, not sure if that is true.
Hutch is correct - they will bite.
When we had the farm in Tamworth, there was a large creek beside the barn. We'd see them sunning themselves - pretty harmless. To keep them out of the lower part of the barn we had a rubber sweep on all the doors. We kept everything open outside the barn, bins etc - (they are looking for a hiding spot)
so my advice would be to keep all compartments on your boat open and use what we used - a large BBQ tong to nudge them. Also we had a radio going day and night - I believe they avoided the barn because of the noise.
Not sure about Moth Balls, but I do know we used chlorine pool pucks (the big ones) on the creek side of the barn and at the door entrances.
They will take off - your bigger than them..........lol
Good Luck,
bobby