That really just happened... snake experts needed

So all of my gear is packed for a fishing trip tomorrow when a 2 foot gardner snake rushes out of one of my burlap sacks. He then goes towards the front of the car and up the dash.

Any ideas on how to flush him out? The Element is empty with the heater turned on full blast. I hope I don't have to drive through the mountains with this on my mind.  Eff me!

i think they like heat? Maybe try to AC? Who knows...

Buy a mongoose!
You're screwed if you have a fear of snakes.
Hai... hopefully, it'll find a way out on it's own by the morning, if not it's going to Capitola with you.

You might try banging on the dash and other various parts of your car.
It can feel the vibrations and may not want to stick around.

I think I'm screwed... going to wear my waders tomorrow just for the drive.  A/C is coming in 30mins but I'm sure it'll just put him to sleep.

I tried moving things around w/my gaff. 

put a mouse in small cage in your ride.  that snake will find that mouse wherever it is and while it's trying to figure out how it's going to get the mouse, snatch it! 

turn on the heat! and leave it on for a while.... it will most likely migrate under the seat... where it will be easier to catch...

btw: they are TOTAL harmless...

swing by and pick up mooch!

I'd be careful with the heat, if the thing is scared and not willing to move the heater might kill it, then it's not gonna be pleasant.

The mouse idea actually sounds best, other than that, you may have a passenger for awhile.

So I stuck my head and hands up the dash trying to find it and it's nowhere to be seen. Banged on the dash, which probably scared it even more. The wife just got home and at least she had a nice chuckle.

Great idea with the mouse. I wished that I had a cage... it would dine and hopefully get stuck! I'm going to keep the car empty until morning and I hope it comes out.  If not, it's going fishing w/me!

The worst a Garter snake could do is musk you (poop all over you) and they may bite.  A garter snake would be more inclined to go after a fish or frog, instead of a full grown mice, although a "pinky" mouse (new born and hairless) might be a good choice.  You can get pinkies at some pet stores. 
 

You didn't say if your wife will ever ride with you in the car ever again. 

You didn't say if your wife will ever ride with you in the car ever again. 

She said that it's time to get that car I've been wanting.   

I'm either going to freak out while driving or end up smelling it. At least it's going to be Friday soon!

I remember a guy and I had to remove the dash from a older Chevy van once at work to remove a 3 or 4' Gopher snake.  Also had to take the inner fender out of a S-10 pickup once to get out a goofy ground squirrel that somehow got stuck in there. 

OR you could leave your doors open overnight and hope it goes home...