I have a mouse problem under our rather large front porch. It is enclosed with stone walls, but the rock walls, vents, and general foundation has areas that I don't have any reasonable way of completely sealing. Out cats and exterminator company attempt to keep the mouse population under control, but several black racers still attempt to move in each spring and early summer.
They often come out from under the dark porch to sun themselves on the attached deck -- at very inopportune times, like when we have guests.
I've found that bird netting, meant to keep birds from getting to our blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc., laid around the edge of the deck and porch makes a great trap that is usually non-lethal.
Here is an old thread about how I discovered this technique.
Snakeprise in the tomato patchMost of the time I can take them well away from the house. It takes two people to get the them out of the net my pulling it tight, several inches above the ground.
The last one I got about a week ago didn't get a second chance. Our three guinea hens turned it into an afternoon game and snack. It was about 5-ft long.
