Snakes: 7 Natural Ways To Keep Them Away

Reasons for the Fear of Snakes

Some fears can dissipate when you learn that not all snakes are poisonous or out to get you. Only two types in this area are known to be harmful to humans. The others are just slithering through nature and living their best life, and don’t forget they help the ecosystem. Here are some common reasons why people fear these reptiles. 

1. Tail as Old as Time

Through the evolution of humans, survival instincts were instilled in them to keep them alive. Snakes were always considered dangerous as they invaded natural environments and posed a threat. 

In the early days of civilization, people didn’t have the internet to identify whether a snake was venomous, so they considered it dangerous to protect themselves. Down through the ages, it became imprinted on the human psyche that these creatures were threatening, even though only a few fit into this category. 

2. Judging a Book by Its Cover

One look at a snake is all it takes for many folks to feel intense panic. Their venomous reputation that they will cause harm or death helps to feed these fears. When you perceive danger with a creature, you’ll automatically feel intense fear by just the sight of it. 

Snakes are unpredictable, so humans often fear things they can’t predict. Snakes move very distinctively, and it’s hard to predict their direction. Since they have no limbs, they can navigate the terrain radically, and this might cause you to be uneasy or fearful around them. 

3. Folklore Teaches Fear

Looking back on the myths and folklore throughout history, it’s easy to see how snakes have been negatively portrayed. Even in religious sectors, the snake was blamed for the fall of man because it was this reptile that enticed Eve to eat an apple from a forbidden tree. 

Snakes have long been associated with danger, temptation, and evil. When movies and TV programs use snakes in them, it’s not usually to educate but to get a reaction from people, so it only helps to fuel this negative perception. 

4. Personal Encounters

Some fears come from past experiences. If you’ve been in the woods and got a little up close and personal with a snake, this intense experience might be enough to evoke fear in you every time you see them. Sadly, your children and those around you can easily pick up your worries. Even if the incident didn’t happen to them, they become fearful based off your anxieties. 

Natural Ways to Keep Snakes at Bay

Snakes and their ominous presence are alarming for many people. However, whether it’s in your yard, around the house, or at the local park, just the thought of these slithering beings can produce anxiety. Professional assistance can help with the phobia, but there are some natural methods that you can utilize to help detour these reptiles from your property. 

1. Moth Balls 

Moth balls have been used to keep moths from eating clothes for decades. However, many people use them to keep snakes out of their yards. Mothballs use one of two chemicals, paradichlorobenzene, and naphthalene, to create a pungent smell. The smell is overpowering, so these days, people turn to other control methods. 

Putting these small pellets around the perimeter of your yard is said to keep the snakes away. While no natural science can back up this theory, others swear by it. The smell irritates them, so they will go in the other direction and avoid wood piles, brush, and flowerbeds, which they might typically frequent. 

A word of caution if you use mothballs, as they’re highly toxic to children and pets. Finding another solution is best if you have animals outside, or a young kid can pick them up. 

2. Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used for many things. They have a way of affecting the olfactory systems of a snake. Try mixing things like clove, cinnamon, or eucalyptus in a spray bottle with some water. 

Spray this around the areas you want to ensure snakes don’t frequent in your yard. Additionally, planting flowers such as lemongrass, marigold, and wormwood will emit a fragrance that snakes find appalling. 

3. Vinegar or Ammonia

Many of these repellents are strong and have intense odors. Vinegar and ammonia are two other products in this category. Soak some rags in ammonia and place them in the areas of concern. 

These can help snakes to go the other way. Vinegar and water in a spray bottle can also do the same thing. The good thing about these two products is they won’t harm plants or pets. 

4. Install Physical Barriers

If you want to keep snakes away, why not put up physical barriers? Fences are a great tool to keep things out of your yard, and you can use a hardware cloth or mesh buried a few inches below the fence line. The fence must be tall, or a snake can climb it and gain entry. 

Snakes can get into your home, too, so you need to inspect the perimeter to see if there’s an opening or gaps that they can slither into. Make sure to seal crevices and cracks in the walls, and there should be no gaps under the doors. Ensure all windows have mesh screens that help as a barrier or protection. A little bit of preventative maintenance can help keep snakes at. 

5. Modify Your Habitat

Snakes look for certain things to hide in, such as rock and wood piles, ponds, and dense vegetation. Modifying these areas and thinning out vegetation will control the rodent population and make the area less attractive to slithering critters. 

6. Get Rid of Clutter

Are there ample hiding spots on your property? You would be surprised what might happen if you let the lawn go for a week or two. Snakes continuously look for places they can go to without being discovered. They love debris piles, tall grass, and overgrown vegetation. 

If it can help them conceal themselves, they will flock to it because they have predators, too. Keeping your yard well-manicured, the weeds pulled, and no piles of rocks or overgrown plants can help make your yard less appealing to the snake population. 

7. Get a Cat

While your dog might run the other way from a snake, a cat certainly will not. Cats love to hunt snakes and are considered natural predators to them. They can quickly help to control the population around a property. Since some areas are more prone to reptiles than others, investing in a “barn cat” is a good idea if you have such a location. 

Another way to help is to put birdhouses on the property. Encouraging birds onto your property causes noise that snakes don’t like, so they will likely stay away. 

Determining Poisonous from Nonvenomous Varieties

It’s always best to arm yourself with education regarding snakes and spiders. Knowing which ones are dangerous and which ones are safe helps to take away some of the unnecessary fears. Thankfully, there are only two reported species of venomous snakes in New Jersey, so most of the snakes you encounter won’t kill you should you get bitten. 

Non-venomous Snakes

While more than two dozen snakes are reported in the area, here are the five most popular ones you might encounter. 

• Garter Snake

The garter snake is abundant in this region, and they’re easy to recognize by their unique stripes. The good news is that they’re harmless and are only there to feast on smaller rodents, insects, and slugs. They’re beneficial to have in the area. 

• Milk Snake

You will see the milk snake in abundance around these parts. The Eastern variety has a striking appearance that’s hard to mistake. They’re typically red, black, and white and prefer eating frogs, mice, and other smaller critters. Thankfully, they’re completely harmless to you. 

• Northern Black Racer

This slender, fast-moving serpent loves to be in vast open areas, so if you have grasslands or forests nearby, you might encounter them. They’re nonvenomous and if you see them out, they’re hunting as they prefer to feed on smaller animals. 

• Water Snake

You might see a water snake floating around if you live near any water. These snakes love to eat frogs and fish, as well as small animals. Be careful when making the identification of this snake, as they’re often confused for the copperhead as they have similar colors and patterns. However, the copperhead is venomous, and the water snake is not. 

• Black Rat Snake

It got its name due to its penchant for rats and other rodents. The black rat snake can grow quite large, and their size is ominous. However, you shouldn’t worry just because they’re big, as they’re not known to bite humans or have any venom. 

Venomous Snakes

There are two known species to be poisonous, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more than those two that can wander into the area. Here are the most commonly observed in New Jersey: 

• Northern Copperhead

The copperhead is the most abundant venomous snake found in this state. It has an hourglass shaped head, and its body is the color of a copper penny. While they frequent wooded areas, you will rarely encounter one. 

They like to stay out of your way as much as you want to keep out of theirs. Their bites are known to be extremely painful, but again, an encounter is not likely. 

• Timber Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes come in all varieties. The Timber like to ambush predators, and if a human gets in their way, they will attack. While this isn’t the largest species of rattlesnakes, they certainly aren’t small reptiles. They can get up to five feet in length. 

They originated from Canada but are now considered endangered species there. Ironically, they have migrated down to the New England states and further south and have become more abundant in America. While they’re known to be aggressive, they aren’t nearly as dangerous as their cousin the Eastern diamondback rattler. 

Ways to Identify Dangerous Snakes

You can quickly identify a venomous snake from a non-venomous variety. The distinct patterns on the head are usually enough to let you make the determination. First, a venomous snake has a different-shaped head. 

When they have venom, their heads are more triangular. However, the non-venomous varieties have a spoon shaped head. Another way to tell is to look at the color patterns. Snakes that are solid in color are almost always nonvenomous. You should always be cautious around the most beautiful snakes with distinct patterns and colors, as they’re often the most dangerous. 

Lastly, rattlesnakes always have a rattle at the bottom of their tail. While it won’t help you with identifying things like a copperhead, the noise alone can give you a warning to get out of harm’s way. 

 Pest Control for Snake Issues

Snakes are generally outside and won’t cause you much problem. However, sometimes snakes can get inside the home, and you need help getting them out. Another issue may be that snakes have taken over a barn, garage, or shed, and you’re worried about the health and safety of your family. 

A pest control professional can help you get rid of snakes and understand why they might have been attracted to the area initially. When in doubt, it’s always best to get assistance from someone highly trained in these reptiles.

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