Snake Repellent: What Works and What Doesn’t

What Works and What Doesn’t for Snake Repellants?

Don’t panic if you see a few snakes in your yard, as the chances of them being poisonous are slim. The copperhead is the most common poisonous snake in the area, but it’s more likely you’ll have black, garter, milk, or rat snakes come by.

If you want to keep them at bay, look at some tried and true methods that work and those that you shouldn’t waste your money on.

Things That Work For Snakes

• Mothballs – Mothballs have a mixed reaction, but they’re considered the most popular remedy for snakes in the South. These potent balls are made up of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which is toxic to snakes and anything else that encounters it. You should forgo this method if you have pets or small children in the yard. Also, be advised that the smell may be overwhelming if you’re outside often.
• Stick Traps – Stick traps are used for rodents, and the larger varieties also work for snakes. The only problem with these is that other critters can get stuck in them too. The death caused by these is slow and painful, so it shouldn’t be used unless other options have been exhausted.
• Products Using Garlic and Sulfonic Acid – Many snake repellants exist at the local hardware store. You want to look for something that has garlic and sulfonic in them. Snakes hate the smell of it, and it will kill them if they ingest it.
• Solar Ultrasonic Repellent – You already know that snakes are very sensitive, and a solar-powered device that omits a high-pitched sound will undoubtedly scare them away. Using the sun’s power is free and will also keep other things like moles and rodents away. Look for a device that covers around 60-70 feet, and you must position them at several places throughout your yard to get full coverage.
• Naphthalene and Sulfur Products – If you have a smaller yard without pets or children playing about, you should look for products that contain naphthalene and sulfur mixes. An application can last around three months. Be advised, it smells similar to mothballs with a more powerful killing agent in it.
• Grow Specific Plants – Did you know certain plants will keep snakes at bay? The snake plant isn’t named after this reptile for no reason. While it does have those unique curling leaves, snakes hate them. Set a few of these out in the spring and summer months, along with some mother-in-law’s tongue and devil’s grass, and it will help keep snakes out of your yard.
• Essential Oils – Play off the strong senses of these reptiles and keep them away with essential oils. Some oils, such as lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, and garlic, are too strong for their delicate nose. So not only can you have fresh herbs, but you can also do some natural pest control that won’t be harmful to pets or children.

Things That Don’t Work For Snakes

Sadly, many things are on the market and touted on social media as quick fixes for snakes, but they don’t work. Here are some things to avoid when fighting the battle of these slithering reptiles.

• Weapons – Some folks think that killing them using weapons is a suitable method. However, it’s dangerous to have weapons around children, and someone could get hurt. It’s impossible to catch them all this way, so this method is outdated and ineffective. Sure, you may get a few, but using weapons won’t put a dent in a massive problem. It would help if you had something that works even when you’re not around.
• Fake Eggs – Snakes love an excellent egg from the chicken coop. One of the home remedies on the internet is to use fake eggs to make the snake eat them and die. Using things like golf balls or wooden eggs is suggested to trick them. The only problem is that it may not work, and if it does have any impact, it can take a long time and can be painful. It’s not the most humane option out there.
• Releasing Other Snakes – Whoever thought of releasing predatory snakes to keep the others away wasn’t thinking clearly. While these predatory snakes will see the other reptiles as prey and take care of that problem, how will you get the voracious ones out of your yard? There are better methods to use that don’t include such costs and risks.
• Sulfur – While sulfur works excellently in a combination mix to help add to the potency of chemical methods, it’s not so great by itself. Sulfur has a strong and unpleasant smell but won’t do much alone.

10 Tips on Keeping Snakes at Bay

There are many tips and tricks to keep snakes away from your home; some will work, while others will aggravate the situation. Whether or not snakes come into your property depends on many things, such as the location, landscape, water, and food.

Those with a pond or lake on or near their home might see more snake activity than those living in suburbia. Here are some things you can do as a preventative measure that will help keep snakes from coming onto your property.

1. Clean up Sticks and Brush

Snakes like to be unnoticed as it’s how they hunt and live. They look for good hiding places, such as brush or wood piles.

These piles are dangerous for many reasons, especially since children also love to play around such things. Snakes aren’t the only critters attracted to such mounds, as termites, roaches, and rodents also find these areas to be a refuge.

2. Forgo the Birdhouses

There’s nothing more relaxing than watching birds take a bath, eat, play, and fly around your property. Many people find bird watching a great way to pass their day. However, if your area is already problematic for snakes, having piles of seeds doesn’t help matters.

Snakes will eat anything they can get their hands on if they’re hungry, and seeds and many birds fluttering about will be very tempting. Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t have bird feeders, as some people won’t have any issues with snakes in their yard. However, if you’re having a problem and want to get them to go away without using chemicals, then this is something you can do to help.

3. Don’t Feed Animals Outside

Setting bowls of cat or dog food outside is a big attraction to a snake. Additionally, many people put birds out to sun themselves in the spring and summertime, and the cages full of seeds and a bird are no match for a snake.

These slithering creatures can easily climb cages and get between those bars, especially if it’s a smaller variety of reptiles. Food draws creatures like this, so don’t feed your pets outside or leave a bird unattended.

4. Keep the Grass Cut

You want to keep your grass cut because it enhances the curb appeal of your property, but you shouldn’t let it go for any period. A well-clipped lawn won’t be alluring to snakes. They like tall weeds and grass where they can hide, so ensure you do proper weed eating and keep the grass at least 2.5-3 inches, which is not enough to tempt them as a hiding spot.

5. Don’t Let Fruit Trees Leave Debris on the Ground

If you’re one of the lucky ones with a fruit tree in your yard, you want to keep the area cleaned up. Fallen apples, pears, and other sweet, juicy fruits tempt a hungry reptile. Additionally, the fruit will decay and become an unsightly mess, attracting things like bees and rodents to feast.

6. Skip the Decorative Koi Ponds

Did you know that snakes love a good frog for dinner? While you may not have a lake or pond on your property, you may have something like a Koi Pond.

These small ponds are tranquil and can enhance your yard, but they also draw frogs, and frogs draw snakes. Plus, Koi are expensive, and you don’t want to see them destroyed if you have a snake issue near your home.

7. Put Up Mesh Fencing

If you’ve struggled with snakes and see no other way to keep them out, you might consider putting up a fence. You don’t want a chain link fence for these issues, as you need something with a smaller ¼ inch rigid mesh to keep them from getting through.

Another tip is to bend the fence slightly at the top so the reptiles can’t climb it. Many companies in the Garden State can help you with wildlife fencing to ensure your yard is safe.

8. Keep Trees and Shrubs Groomed

Overgrown trees and shrubs are unsightly to the landscape, offering prime areas for reptiles and other wildlife to hide. Do you have any branches hanging toward the ground? The goal is to trim them so that you have a 24″- 36″ space underneath that takes away any hiding places.

9. Don’t Use Mulch

Mulch looks pretty for a season but acts as ground cover and shelter for reptiles. Many alternatives, such as larger rocks, are beneficial and will last longer than mulch.

Pine straw and mulch are just too tempting for rodents to hide in; snakes are always looking for food, and they know the prominent hiding places of their prey.

10. Get a Cat

Reptiles know that cats are mortal enemies, as cats can take on a snake any day of the week. You’ll often see farms with many cats for this and other reasons. The cat’s claws are strong and can penetrate the snake’s skin.

While some cats will eat them, others like to capture them as they’re on their territory. A simple way to get rid of snakes that don’t require chemicals is to get a cat.

Knowing When to Get Help for a Snake Issue

Should a snake get into your home, it’s best not to try to remove it. Call a professional with plenty of expertise in dealing with these reptiles.

Since you don’t know if it’s poisonous, you must ensure your safety and those in the house. Plus, if you aggravate it, it can crawl into unreachable places. A professional is best in these situations.

If you have a snake problem and are unsure if you need help with what to do, it’s always best to consult a specialist. If you’ve tried some of the methods listed above and nothing is working, it’s time to call for professional reinforcements. Identifying the type of snake you’re dealing with and discovering why they’re attracted to your yard is essential.

The expertise of a pest control professional can bring you peace of mind and ensure that the problem will be resolved.

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