To keep snakes away from your home and yard, focus on making the environment unattractive and inaccessible to them by eliminating food, water, and shelter, and using natural repellents:
Environmental Management
- Eliminate food sources: Remove rodents, insects, and other small animals that snakes prey on by keeping your yard clean, controlling pests, and not leaving pet food or bird feeders outside
- Remove standing water: Fix leaks, drain puddles, cover pools at night, and maintain water features to reduce moisture that attracts snakes
- Remove potential shelters: Clear brush, tall grass, leaf piles, rock piles, woodpiles, and debris where snakes can hide. Keep firewood stacked neatly and off the ground
- Maintain lawn and landscaping: Mow regularly, trim bushes and trees, and consider replacing some lawn areas with gravel to reduce hiding spots
- Seal entry points: Close gaps, cracks, and openings in your home's foundation, basement, crawl spaces, doors, and windows using door sweeps, weather stripping, or metal sheeting to prevent snakes from entering
Natural Repellents and Deterrents
- Use natural substances: Sprinkle Epsom salt, lime, or powdered sulfur around your property perimeter. Spray mixtures containing vinegar, ammonia, garlic water, or essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to repel snakes
- Plant snake-repellent plants: Incorporate marigolds, lemongrass, Mother-in-Law’s tongue, wormwood, onions, garlic, holly, and lavender in your landscaping to discourage snakes
- Snake decoys and solar pest repellents: Place snake decoys around your property and use solar-powered devices emitting vibrations and sounds to deter snakes and rodents
Additional Measures
- Invite natural predators: Install perch poles to attract birds of prey like owls and hawks, which hunt snakes
- Pets: Outdoor cats can reduce rodent populations, and large dogs may intimidate snakes, though caution is advised due to snake bite risks
- Professional help: If snakes persist, contact local pest control or animal control services for safe removal
By combining these strategies, you can effectively reduce the likelihood of snakes entering and staying around your home and yard.
