Sasha CampbellSnakes can be a nuisance, slithering into your yard and garden and causing you to worry. If you’re wondering how to keep snakes away naturally, these home remedies and prevention methods can help.
How to Get Rid of Snakes Naturally
These home remedies and prevention methods can help deter snakes in your yard. They can also make your space less inviting to them and lower the chances of unexpected encounters.
1. Clean Up Yard
Snakes are attracted to yards and gardens that provide food, shelter, and water. So, to keep them away, you must thoroughly clean up and remove everything that attracts them.
Remove debris, including lumber, rocks, bricks, tires, and cans. Also, clean up areas where the grass is overgrown or thickets provide cover.
Store firewood off the ground and far from the house. Additionally, keep the lawn low-cut and water the plants only when necessary.
If you remove the things that attract snakes, they will go elsewhere.
2. Eliminate Standing Water
Eliminating standing water can help reduce the number of frogs, insects, and other animals that may attract snakes to your property.
This could be as simple as fixing a leaky faucet or a drainage problem. It could also mean adding drainage to an area that holds water.
Also, fix any leaks in your irrigation system.
3. Keep Grass Short
Another great way to deter snakes from your yard is to keep the grass short.
Short grass reduces cover and makes an area less attractive to snakes seeking shelter and protection from predators. So if there’s nothing to hide them, they’re less likely to slither their way over.
You can do this yourself or hire someone to do it for you. If you’re going the DIY route, cut your lawn frequently, especially if it rains often.
4. Seal Your Home
Sealing up cracks and holes is one of the best ways to prevent snakes from entering your house.
Ensure all cracks and openings around your foundation, doors, windows, and HVAC unit are sealed. Doing so will also help prevent rodents and other small animals from entering your home.
5. Eliminate Food Sources
Eliminating snakes’ food sources will go a long way toward discouraging them from hanging around.
Keep your garden free of pests such as rodents and insects, as they are the primary prey of snakes. They also go after frogs and slugs.
6. Vinegar
Some homeowners use vinegar as a home remedy around entry points and problem areas. However, there is limited scientific evidence that it consistently repels snakes.
To give it a try, mix white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio to make a natural snake repellent. Next, spray it in the required areas.
7. Natural Predators
One common predator of snakes is the owl [1]. Owls are nocturnal birds and rely heavily on their sense of sight to hunt their prey.
Other predators of snakes include mongooses, the snake eagle, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats.
These animals are opportunistic hunters. They will take advantage of a snake if they have the opportunity.
However, while these animals can help keep snake populations in check, it is generally not advisable to attract wild predators to your property.
8. Essential Oils
Some gardeners use strong-smelling essential oils such as peppermint, lemon, or eucalyptus as a home remedy for snakes. However, evidence of their effectiveness is mostly anecdotal, and results may vary.
Use any of them to make a homemade snake repellent spray. Add 15 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Next, spray the mixture around your problem areas.
Remember that while essential oils are a great option, they may not work for every type of snake. You might also have to experiment with other methods to repel snakes naturally.
9. Traps
Traps are an excellent non-lethal way to get rid of snakes in your yard or garden. There are many different types of traps available.
One popular homemade snake trap that works is the funnel trap.
This trap consists of a funnel-shaped piece of wire mesh with a small opening at the narrow end that leads to a mesh cylinder. This video explains how to do it.
But if the DIY method is too hectic, you can purchase a funnel trap like this one online or at a garden center. The idea is that the snake will enter the funnel but won’t be able to get out.
However, if you’re using any of these traps, you must check them regularly. Relocate any snakes you catch to a safe place far away from your home and garden.
10. Repellent Plants
Some plants are traditionally believed to discourage snakes, making them a popular addition to snake-deterrent landscaping. Some of our favorites include:
- Wormwood: Produces a strong scent that many gardeners believe helps to deter snakes and other pests.
- Society Garlic: This ornamental plant emits a pungent odor that may deter snakes from entering the area.
- Pink Agapanthus: Often planted around homes and garden borders as part of a snake-deterrent landscaping strategy.
- Mother-in-law’s Tongue: Some gardeners believe the stiff, upright leaves may make certain areas less appealing to snakes, although scientific evidence is limited.
Other snake-repellent plants include onions, mugwort, and snakeroot.
However, keep in mind that no plant is guaranteed to repel snakes. It’s often more effective to reduce the availability of shelters, food sources, and hiding places than to rely on plants alone.
11. Install Snake Fencing
One of the most effective ways to keep snakes out of your yard is to install snake-proof fencing.
Use fine mesh hardware cloth or metal screening with openings no larger than 1/4 inch.
The fence should be at least 30 inches high. It must also be buried several inches into the ground. This prevents snakes from crawling underneath.
For even better protection, angle the top outward slightly. Regularly inspect the fence for gaps or damage and repair any openings promptly.
12. Fill Burrows and Holes
Snakes often seek shelter in dark, protected places, so if you can remove their homes, you’ll be well on your way to getting rid of them.
Be sure to fill in any holes or burrows in your yard. You can use a heavy object, such as a rock or a concrete block, to cover the hole.
Check periodically to ensure the object hasn’t moved and the hole hasn’t reopened.
13. Spray With a Hose
Another easy and cost-effective home remedy to keep snakes away is to spray them with a garden hose.
If it can be done safely from a distance, a gentle spray from a garden hose may encourage a snake to move away.
14. Cut Back Branches
An excellent snake prevention method is to cut back branches.
Some snake species are capable climbers. Therefore, trimming low-hanging branches and dense vegetation can reduce potential hiding and access points.
15. Coarse Materials
Some gardeners believe that coarse materials, such as pinecones or sharp rocks, make an area less appealing for snakes to cross.
Spread them over the ground around your garden and flower beds. But keep them an inch or two away from your plants so they don’t get damaged.
You can also use them as a border around your property to create a barrier against snakes.
16. Remove Bird Feeders
Another snake control method is to remove bird feeders. Bird feeders can unintentionally attract these creatures to your property.
While snakes do not eat birdseed, the seed often attracts rodents such as mice and rats.
Rodents are a key food source for many snakes. So when you set up feeders, you might attract snakes to your yard.
If you use bird feeders, clean up spilled seed regularly and place feeders away from your home and garden.
You might also want to use rodent-resistant feeders. They can reduce the chances of attracting unwanted visitors.
17. Relocate Snakes
There are many techniques for removing snakes from a house or property.
However, if you’re unsure whether the snake is nonvenomous, it’s best to contact local animal control or a wildlife expert. Avoid trying to handle it on your own.
Also, before relocating a snake, check local wildlife regulations, as relocation may be restricted in some areas.
If you are certain the snake is nonvenomous, one option is to place a large trash can or bucket over it and gently scoop it up.
Another way to relocate snakes is by using a snake trap like the one highlighted above.
If local regulations allow relocation, release the snake in suitable habitat away from areas where people frequently gather.
Safety Tip
Never attempt to handle a venomous snake.
If you cannot confidently identify the species, keep your distance. Then, contact local animal control or a wildlife professional for help.
What Kinds of Snakes Are Common in Yards and Gardens?
In North America, common yard and garden snakes include the common garter snake, the black rat snake, and the northern water snake [2].
- The common garter snake is small, slender, and typically brown or olive. It can be found throughout most of North America.
- The rat snake is also common in North America and can grow up to six feet long.
- The northern water snake is typically tan, brown, or gray with dark-colored blotches. You’ll find it near ponds, lakes, and rivers.
You might also spot the copperhead snake, hognose snake, and/or corn snake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best natural way to get rid of snakes?
The best natural method is to remove what attracts them.
Maintain a tidy yard to discourage pests. Remove any hiding spots. Control rodent populations to avoid issues.
Also, seal entry points around your home to keep them out.
Does vinegar repel snakes?
Some homeowners use vinegar as a snake deterrent. However, there isn’t much scientific evidence that it works well or consistently.
What smells do snakes dislike?
People commonly use strong-smelling substances such as peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and vinegar. However, their effectiveness varies and is largely based on anecdotal evidence.
What attracts snakes to a yard?
Snakes are attracted to food, water, and shelter. Rodents, frogs, tall grass, woodpiles, and dense vegetation can all make a yard more appealing.
Do mothballs keep snakes away?
Mothballs are frequently recommended as a snake repellent. However, studies have found them to be largely ineffective.
They can also be harmful to people, pets, and the environment if used improperly.
What plants help keep snakes away?
Some gardeners plant wormwood, society garlic, pink agapanthus, and mother-in-law’s tongue as part of a snake-deterrent landscape. However, no plant is guaranteed to repel snakes.
Is it safe to spray a snake with a garden hose?
A gentle spray from a safe distance may encourage a snake to move away. Never approach a snake closely, especially if you cannot identify the species.
How do I stop snakes from entering my house?
Seal cracks and gaps around doors, windows, foundations, and utility openings. Removing nearby food sources and hiding places can also help.
Are snakes beneficial in the garden?
Yes. Snakes play a key role in controlling rodents, slugs, and other pests. This makes them essential to many ecosystems.
Should I relocate a snake myself?
Only attempt to relocate a snake if you are certain it is nonvenomous and local regulations allow it. If in doubt, contact animal control or a wildlife professional.
Takeaway
Snakes can be a nuisance and even a danger to homeowners and their families. While commercial products are available to eliminate or deter them, several natural remedies can be just as effective.
The most effective snake control strategy combines habitat modification, food source reduction, and exclusion methods such as fencing and sealing entry points.
By making your property less attractive to snakes, you can greatly reduce the chances of encountering them around your home and garden.
Excellent information…thank you ☺️