As the weather warms up, are you worried about unwelcome slithering guests in your yard or home? While most snakes are harmless, finding one unexpectedly can give anyone a fright. Before you reach for the strongest chemicals on the shelf, try these 10 easy, natural ways to deter snakes from your property using simple homemade remedies. With a few clever tricks, you can convince snakes to steer clear so you can relax and enjoy your yard without stressing about uninvited reptilian visitors. Keep reading to learn foolproof, non-toxic strategies using items you probably have at home already to create a snake-free oasis.

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5 Natural Ways to Keep Snakes Away from Your Yard This Season

Why Snakes Invade Yards and How to Identify Them

As the weather warms up and you start spending more time outdoors in your yard, you may encounter an unwelcome visitor – snakes! While your initial reaction may be to panic, most yard snakes are harmless. Learning why snakes slither into your turf and how to identify venomous species can help you coexist safely.

Common Snake Species Found Slithering In Yards

Not all snakes are created equal. Let’s look at some of the most common backyard serpents so you can spot them:

Garter Snakes – These small, striped snakes are one of the most widespread in North America. They come in a variety of colors but have distinctive three stripes running down their backs. Garter snakes eat worms, frogs, fish, and rodents. They are harmless to humans.
Black Rat Snakes – Also called pilot snakes, these are larger nonvenomous constrictors that can grow over 6 feet long! They prey on mice, rats, and other rodents and are excellent climbers. While they look intimidating, rat snakes are docile and pose no danger.
Gopher and Bull Snakes – These larger snakes behave similarly to rat snakes and feed on rodents. They are powerful constrictors but harmless to people. Some can vibrate their tails rapidly when threatened which sounds like a rattlesnake!
Corn Snakes – Named for their propensity for hanging out around corn cribs to catch mice, corn snakes are very common in the southern and eastern U.S. Their calm temperament makes them popular exotic pets.
Copperheads – These venomous pit vipers sometimes find their way into yards in eastern states. They have tan and coppery-brown hourglass shapes down their bodies. Bites are painful but rarely fatal.
Rattlesnakes – Large, heavy-bodied pit vipers with the infamous “rattle” on their tail. Bites can be extremely dangerous so give these snakes their space! Rattlesnakes favor rocky areas.
Water Snakes – As the name implies, these snakes live around water sources like ponds, streams, and marshes. Most species are nonvenomous but can be aggressive if threatened.
King Snakes – Large, powerful constrictors that prey on other snakes, including venomous ones. They can be beneficial to have around but don’t handle them.

Why Do Snakes Slither Into Yards?

Yards can be attractive hangouts for snakes for several reasons:

Looking For Food

Snakes are predators, and yards provide a buffet of small rodents, amphibians, lizards, insects, worms, and more. Places that attract their prey, like bird feeders and compost heaps, often draw in snakes as well.

Seeking Water

Like all animals, snakes need water to survive. Outdoor water sources like leaky hoses, pet water bowls, ponds, and birdbaths lure thirsty snakes.

Finding Shelter

Shrubs, wood piles, brush, tall grass, and debris piles entice snakes with plenty of hiding spots and cover from predators and the sun. Crawlspaces, burrows, and basements offer shelter inside your home too.

Breeding

In spring and summer when snakes are most active, they seek places to mate and lay eggs. Woodlands, garden beds, and compost heaps provide attractive snake nesting sites.

How To Identify Venomous Snake Species

While startling, most snakes you encounter in your yard are harmless. However, venomous species like rattlesnakes and copperheads sometimes make appearances. Learn how to ID these dangerous reptiles:

Triangular Heads

Venomous snakes tend to have arrow-shaped or spade-like heads that are wider than their necks. Nonvenomous snakes have narrow streamlined heads.

Eye Shape

Pit vipers like rattlesnakes and copperheads have vertical, cat-like pupils instead of round ones. But some nonvenomous snakes also have vertical pupils, like the mostly harmless water snake.

Heat Pits

Pit vipers get their name from the infrared sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes which they use to detect prey. These pits look like tiny holes in their faces.

Rattles

Obviously a key feature! Rattlesnakes make a buzzing warning sound by rapidly moving their namesake rattles. Young rattlesnakes don’t have fully developed rattles, however.

Behavioral Warning Signs

Rattling, loud hissing, shaking their tails, and rearing up are all signs a snake is feeling threatened. While nonvenomous snakes display these behaviors too, exercise extreme caution around any snake doing this.

Dangers of Venomous Snakes In Your Yard

Encountering a venomous snake on your property is every homeowner’s nightmare. Here’s what you need to know about the hazards of poisonous snakes that sometimes invade yards:

Painful and Dangerous Snake Bites

Roughly 8,000 venomous snake bites occur in the U.S. each year. Pit viper bites can cause intense pain, swelling, nausea, blurred vision, and rapid heartbeat. Without prompt treatment they can lead to permanent injury and even death. People at highest risk include young children, the elderly, and pets.

Seek Emergency Treatment Immediately

If bitten by a venomous snake, call 911 or get to an emergency room right away. Antivenom can prevent serious complications and death if administered quickly enough. Never try to capture or kill the snake for identification, just get medical care as fast as possible.

Avoid Risky Behavior Around Snakes

Don’t handle or aggravate any snake in your yard, venomous or not. Never reach into crevices or under debris in your yard without looking first. Wear protective clothing and boots when working in snake-prone areas. Teach kids to leave snakes alone and watch pets when outdoors.

Signs That Indicate Snakes May Be On Your Property

Want to know if you have snake squatters without having to encounter them face to fang? Look for these signs:

Shedded Snake Skins

Like other reptiles, snakes periodically molt and shed their skin as they grow. The translucent, papery skins may turn up in your yard, garden, or driveway when this happens. Finding a shed indicates a snake lives nearby.

Snake Holes

Venomous snakes often dwell in burrows and holes outside or under homes and sheds. Watch for openings wider than about 2 inches, as nonvenomous snakes don’t need that large of an access point.

Hissing Sounds

If you hear a loud hiss coming from a wood pile or garden, it may signify an irritated snake. Rustling in debris piles can also betray a snake’s presence.

Evidence of Prey

Critters like mice, frogs, and lizards disappearing from your yard may point to a resident snake feasting. Tread carefully if you notice the local fauna mysteriously declining!

Staying vigilant helps you avoid unwanted snake encounters. And learning to identify species arms you with knowledge about whether snakes passing through your property are harmless or hazardous. With this foundation, you can take appropriate steps to repel serpentine invaders when needed.

So now that you know why snakes can’t resist slithering into your yard and how to ID venomous species, let’s look at natural ways to convince them your turf is no longer snake-friendly!

Remove Snake Food Sources Around Your Yard

Snakes slither into yards looking for their next meal. Cutting off their food supply is an effective way to send snakes packing. Let’s look at smart strategies to remove things that attract snakes to dine in your yard.

Eliminate Rodents, Birds, Frogs and Insects

Insects and critters that snakes eat are their main food, so getting rid of them takes away what draws snakes into your yard.

Remove Rodents

Mice, rats, chipmunks, and voles are a favorite snake snack. Since these small mammals also cause problems like chewing wires and spreading diseases, keeping them away benefits your home.

Inspect your home’s exterior for gaps and seal any holes with caulk or spray foam to prevent rodents from getting inside.
Trim back vegetation and clear debris piles that offer rodent shelter and hiding spots.
Use humane traps to catch rodents – your local home improvement store likely sells them. Release trapped rodents at least 5 miles from your home.
You can also try natural mouse deterrents like peppermint oil, predator urine granules, and ultrasonic repellers.

Eliminate Bird Nests

Birds like sparrows and swallows that build nests on your home or in trees provide a food bonanza for snakes who regularly dine on eggs and chicks.

Inspect eaves, attics, and porch overhangs for nests and remove any you find – gently relocate baby birds to avoid separating parents and chicks.
Install netting or bird spikes on areas where they frequently nest.
Trim back branches to remove nesting spots. Avoid trimming during spring and summer nesting season.

Remove Amphibians

Frogs, toads, and salamanders hiding in your yard are a favored snake snack. Getting rid of these amphibians means fewer snakes stopping by for dinner.

Drain or fill in small backyard ponds – these are like an amphibian magnet.
Let areas with standing water from sprinklers or rain dry out instead of pooling.
Clear piles of wet leaves, compost and debris where amphibians live.

Control Insects

Snakes will feast on grubs, caterpillars, cicadas, crickets, and earthworms in your yard. Limiting insects reduces this food source.

Use beneficial nematodes and milky spore to kill grubs.
Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays to kill soft bodied insects.
Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Attract insect predators like birds, frogs, and bats to your yard – just not so many that snakes take notice!

Manage Outdoor Pet Food, Bird Feeders and Trash

These common backyard items reliably draw in snakes looking for an easy meal. Follow these tips:

Keep pet food inside, especially at night when rodents are active.
Remove spilled pet food right away – it can attract snakes and rodents.
Place bird feeders at least 10 feet from your home and clean fallen seed to avoid luring rodents.
Make sure your garage and trash bins have tight fitting lids. Take trash out frequently.
Compost pile food scraps attract snakes – keep compost in closed bins far from your home.

By taking away food that attracts snakes, your yard will hold less appeal for them. Starve them out and snakes will go looking for dinner elsewhere!

Keep Your Lawn Mowed and Remove Hiding Spots

Snakes seek more than just food in your yard – they also need places to shelter, hide, and raise young. Removing their habitat persuades snakes to slither off.

Keep Grass Mowed

Letting your lawn get overgrown provides the perfect cover for snakes. Keeping it trimmed neat and short leaves them exposed and drives them away.

Maintain your lawn at 3-4 inches tall – any longer provides too much cover.
Cut frequently and don’t allow grass clippings to accumulate in piles.
Weed whack along fences, around landscaping, and in other areas your mower can’t reach.

Clear Away Brush Piles

Piles of brush, branches, and yard debris are attractive snake hangouts. Keep these cleaned up.

Completely remove accumulated piles of brush and branches – don’t just relocate them!
Prune bushes and trees to reduce debris.
Place rocks, boards, and construction scraps in trash piles – don’t leave them laying in the yard.

Remove Wood Piles

Stacks of firewood and lumber are a favorite snake spot. Keep them off the ground and covered.

Store wood neatly in a shed or high up off the ground on a rack.
Keep wood covered securely with a tarp. Seal the edges so snakes can’t crawl underneath.
Alternatively, elevate piles using 2×4’s with tin sheeting on top to keep snakes away.

By diligently keeping your yard tidy and not letting cover crop up, you remove a major magnet for snakes – shelter. A nice manicured lawn and neat landscaping is much less inviting!

Cutting off food sources and eliminating places for snakes to hide and nest are two of the best yard maintenance strategies to deter these slithering intruders. With their needs unmet in your outdoor space, snakes quickly learn to go elsewhere.

Prevent Access to Water in Your Yard

While snakes need food, they also require water to survive. Limiting water sources around your home and yard helps send snakes packing when they can’t find anything to drink. Here are smart ways to prevent access.

Fix Leaky Faucets, Pipes and Clear Clogged Gutters

Leaking water fixtures top the list of attractions for thirsty snakes. A constant drip or stream from a hose, spigot, or gutter provides an ideal watering hole.

Inspect hoses and pipes for leaks, cracks, and holes. Replace worn out ones and patch small leaks with waterproof sealants.
Check faucet connections for drips and tighten them if needed. Replace worn out washers and gaskets.
Clear out clogged rain gutters – water overflowing attracts snakes. Use gutter guards to prevent future blockages from leaves.
Change out missing or damaged drain grates that allow water to pool on the ground.
Fill in ruts and low areas where sprinklers and rain create puddles that snakes drink from.

By keeping your home’s water systems leak-free and draining properly, you eliminate a major snake magnet. No leaks = no snakes stopping by for happy hour!

Let Birdbaths and Decorative Ponds Dry Out When Not In Use

Outdoor water features provide drinkable water that appeals to snakes as well as birds and frogs. Limit their use with these steps:

Birdbaths

Dump and clean birdbaths out weekly to prevent mosquito breeding and algae growth.
Only keep birdbaths filled during the day when birds are active – dump water by dusk when snakes begin hunting.
Place birdbaths on pedestals or hang them from poles or trees at least 3 feet off the ground making them harder for snakes to access.

Small Garden Ponds

Allow small ornamental pools and ponds to dry out when not actively maintaining them. Refill periodically vs keeping them continuously full.
Build ponds with steep sides using stone or concrete walls. Add a mesh grate over part of the surface to prevent easy snake access.
Use pumps and filters to keep water moving – snakes prefer still water. Limit pond plants which offer snakes shelter and breeding places.
Consider removing small ponds altogether if they frequently attract snakes. Limit landscaping water features to ones snakes can’t access.

Larger Ponds and Water Features

Larger ponds and streams are harder to modify but you can still make them less snake-friendly:

Incorporate gravel banks, slopes, and areas of minimum vegetation around the water’s perimeter.
Use rocks, gravel, and wood chip mulch around the edges to provide a dry barrier zone snakes won’t cross.
Add motion-triggered lighting and remove vegetation and debris near the water that offer snakes cover and shade.
Consider adding a natural predator fish species like koi or bass that eat small snakes.

By carefully managing outdoor water sources, you can discourage snake visitations looking for places to rehydrate in your yard.

Keep Swimming Pools Free of Snakes

Swimming pools are an obvious water source, but one easy to safeguard by following pool maintenance best practices:

Keep Water Clean

Maintain proper chlorine and pH levels – snakes prefer stagnant pond-like water.
Regularly skim debris with a net and run the pool filter adequate hours per day.
Shock chlorinate pools periodically to sanitize them fully.

Remove Access and Hiding Spots

Install tight fitting pool covers.
Keep landscaping trimmed back from water edges.
Add mesh fencing around the perimeter if snake intrusions persist.

Check Daily for Snakes

Do a snake inspection when opening the pool, using a pool skimmer to poke in crevices safely.
Teach kids and swimmers to watch for snakes – don’t let them jump or dive in without looking first.

By making your pool unappealing and inaccessible to snakes, you can safely enjoy swimming without snake encounters.

In addition to removing food sources and shelter, limiting where snakes can access water on your property is a key part of an integrated snake deterrent plan. With water sources controlled, snakes will go elsewhere when thirsty instead of seeking out your yard.

Snakes need water just like other backyard wildlife, so completely eliminating all water isn’t recommended or feasible. A better approach is thoughtfully managing water fixtures and landscaping features to make them less snake-friendly.

Combined with eliminating food and shelter, cutting off water access provides a three-pronged approach to send snakes packing for good!

Use Snake Repellent Plants and Oils Around the Yard

In addition to modifying your yard’s environment, you can also use scent-based repellents to send slithering snakes packing. Certain plants and oils create smells that naturally deter snakes when used strategically around your property’s perimeter.

Plant Marigolds, Garlic, and Lemon Grass

Specific plants produce strong fragrances that overwhelm a snake’s sensitive sense of smell and act as natural repellents. Incorporate them into your landscaping for snake-free beds and borders.

Marigolds

The pungent odor from marigolds (Tagetes spp.) helps repel snakes. For best results:

Plant marigolds around the entire border of your yard to mark a “scent barrier” snakes won’t cross.
Choose pungent French or African marigolds – milder American marigolds are less effective.
Group marigolds closely together for most impact. Go for blocks of plants vs spacing singly.
Replenish plants annually. Potted marigolds can be positioned as needed seasonally.

Garlic

Garlic emits sulfur compounds that deter snakes.

Grow garlic in garden beds, around patio planters, and along your yard’s perimeter.
Choose hardneck garlic varieties like Rocambole – they contain more sulfur.
Plant cloves densely to form a continuous barrier. Replant annually.
Interplant garlic with ornamentals like lavender for color.

Lemon Grass

The strong citrusy aroma from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) makes snakes steer clear.

Add lemongrass as edging plants, place in pots around patios, and scatter throughout garden beds.
For colder climates, cultivate lemongrass in pots and move them outdoors seasonally.
Divide mature clumps of grass to propagate more plants. Cut back dead leaves over winter.

Make Clove, Cinnamon, and Garlic Oil Spray Repellents

Essential oils can be combined into easy DIY repellent sprays:

Clove and Cinnamon Spray

Add 5-10 drops each of clove and cinnamon oils to a quart spray bottle filled with water.
Shake vigorously before each use to disperse the oils.
Spray along your home’s foundation, around potential snake entry points, and anywhere snakes have been spotted.

Garlic Oil Spray

Finely chop 2 heads of garlic. Simmer in 2 cups of cooking oil for an hour then let cool.
Strain out the garlic bits and add the garlic-infused oil to a spray bottle diluted with 2 cups of water.
Use as above, spraying liberally in areas snakes frequent and along your yard’s perimeter.

Reapply these spray repellents after heavy rain. The strong scent overwhelms snake senses and irritates their skin on contact.

Create Barriers Around Your Yard with Gravel or Mulch

Make things uncomfortable for snakes by creating rough textured barriers they won’t cross:

Gravel Borders

Install a 3-4 foot gravel perimeter around gardens and along foundations. Avoid smooth pea gravel – use sharper gravel rocks.
Refresh gravel annually as needed. Ensure gravel bands stay evenly distributed.

Wood Chip Borders

Use fragrant cedar wood mulch for added snake repelling power.
Lay a 3-4 inch thick band of wood chips along foundations, fence lines, and around flower beds.
Replenish mulch as it decomposes to maintain an uncomfortable snake barrier.

Prickly gravel and abrasive wood chip mulch borders make it literally painful for snakes to cross over into your yard.

With strategic plants, homemade sprays, and rough mulch borders, you can create a gauntlet of scent and texture deterrents. The smells overwhelm snakes’ senses while gravel and wood chips make travel uncomfortable. This multi-pronged approach gives snakes plenty of reason to avoid your yard!

Try Mothballs or Sulfur Powder Along the Fence Line

In addition to natural oils and plants, some common household and garden products can also be repurposed to drive away snakes. Mothballs and sulfur are traditional snake deterrents still used today. However, exercise caution when using chemicals.

Understand How Mothballs Repel Snakes

The naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene found in mothballs emit a strong, pungent odor offensive to snakes. However, there are safety issues to consider:

Active Ingredients

Naphthalene mothballs are more effective but also more toxic for humans and pets. Breathing the vapors can cause headaches and nausea.
Paradichlorobenzene mothballs are less toxic but require closer placement to snakes’ hiding spots to work.

EPA Regulations

Using mothballs outdoors violates EPA regulations – they are only approved for indoor use to repel moths.
Never use mothballs without proper ventilation indoors. The fumes can accumulate to dangerous levels and cause liver or neurological damage.

Due to toxicity, mothballs should be a last resort for snake control. Use extreme caution and only if other methods fail.

How to Use Mothballs Against Snakes

Place mothballs along fence lines, around potential snake hiding spots, or near den entry points. Use sparingly.
Put mothballs in perforated plastic containers to prevent direct skin contact while allowing the scent to escape.
Always keep mothballs locked away and out of reach of children and pets. Promptly dispose of any eaten or broken mothballs.
Reapply mothballs every 1-2 months as the smells fades. Check local laws first as outdoor use may be prohibited.

Apply Sulfur Powder Around Your Yard

Sulfur powder is a safer alternative. Its strong scent repels snakes while causing mild skin irritation upon direct contact.

Purchase the Right Type

Use powdered elemental sulfur made for garden pest control. It spreads easily.
Avoid liquid sulfur sprays – these are meant for treating plant fungal diseases.
Do not use sulfur matches or firestarters – these contain additional toxic chemicals.

How to Apply Sulfur Snake Repellent

Lightly dust sulfur powder along yard edges, fences, garden perimeters, and potential snake entry points.
Apply heavier amounts into potential snake burrows and dens.
Use an applicator tool to distribute powder – avoid inhaling it by wearing a dust mask.
Reapply every 2-3 weeks. Rain and watering will dissipate the sulfur.
Monitor how plants tolerate sulfur. While low risk, excessive amounts can occasionally cause leaf scorching.

Exercise Safety Precautions

Avoid using sulfur around ponds and water features – it is toxic to fish and frogs at high concentrations.
Keep sulfur locked away from kids and pets when not applying it.
Read and follow all label directions for handling and storage.

When used carefully, sulfur powder is an effective repellent that deters snakes through both scent and touch irritation.

Can Snake Repellents Be Effective?

No chemical repellent, plant, or other home remedy can guarantee 100% effectiveness against snakes. Some useful things to keep in mind include:

Most deterrents require regular reapplication after rain or watering. Vigilance is needed.
Using multiple repellent strategies together provides better success.
Repellents work best when combined with modifying snake habitat, limiting food and water, etc.
Severe snake infestations, venomous species, and snakes inside the home often require professional removal vs just repellents.

Mothballs and sulfur should not be your only line of defense. Integrate them into a larger exclusion and maintenance plan to increase success. And know their limitations in case removal becomes necessary.

When dealing with resilient pests like snakes that serve a role in the ecosystem, a layered management approach works best. Don’t rely on just one trick – make your entire yard inhospitable using repellents, modification, and exclusion together.

When to Call a Snake Removal Service

While there are many effective DIY ways to deter snakes in your yard, some situations call for bringing in professional help. Venomous species, frequent intrusions, and snakes inside your home often require expert removal for everyone’s safety.

Indicators That Suggest Calling for Professional Snake Control

Here are signs that your snake problem may require more than DIY remedies:

You Have Identified Venomous Snakes on Your Property

If you have visually confirmed venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, or coral snakes routinely entering your yard, call a professional service. Traps and relocation are best handled by experts to avoid serious bites. Venomous snakes also require expert exclusion work.

Snakes Frequently Get Inside Your Home

Seeing the occasional garter snake in your basement can likely be remedied through sealing up entrance holes. But having multiple indoor snake encounters indicates major access issues. Professionals have the tools and knowledge to fully exclusion-proof your home.

DIY Deterrents Stop Working

Sometimes a snake infestation outpaces repellents. If you’ve tried numerous remedies diligently and still see heavy snake activity, bringing in an expert may be your best bet for a permanent solution.

The Snake Problem Threatens Your Family’s Safety

If snakes in your yard create fears for kids playing outside, threaten your home’s foundation, or could harm your pets, don’t delay – call for professional removal right away for immediate peace of mind.

You Are Unsure How to Properly Identify Species

Trying to ID snakes carries the risk of dangerous misidentification. Experts can safely inspect and verify if any venomous snakes are involved so you know how to proceed appropriately.

An Injured or Trapped Snake Needs Rescue

Attempting to capture a cornered snake puts you at risk. Snake removal experts have the proper equipment and knowledge to safely extract trapped snakes from basements, crawlspaces, garages, and more.

In these scenarios, bringing in the experts is the prudent choice. They have specialized skills, tools, and experience required. Your DYI options are best paired with professional help when snake issues escalate.

Why Professional Snake Exclusion is Superior

Sealing up every last snake entry point around your home can be extremely difficult, requiring meticulous inspection and repairs. Professionals have the right expertise:

They Understand Snake Behavior and Access Points

Pros know the exact spots snakes exploit to enter homes, like underground tunnels from dens. DIYers often miss key entryways that allow snakes to return.

They Have Specialized Inspection Gear

Snake removal techs use small cameras on long cables to peer into crawlspaces, vents, and walls. Thermal imaging helps locate snakes hidden in walls so all openings can be sealed.

They Use Advanced Exclusion Materials Homeowners Don’t

Pro sealants, metal mesh, hardware cloth, foam, and other commercial exclusion products exceed DIY-grade materials. They ensure openings remain permanently sealed.

They Can Professionally Remove Problem Snakes

Humane trapping and relocation of nuisance snakes or venomous species reduces risk of harm, followed by permanent exclusion.

They Provide Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

Pros don’t just seal entryways – they follow up to ensure snakes don’t return. Post-exclusion maintenance keeps your property snake-free long term.

Working with seasoned snake removal experts provides an unmatched level of thorough exclusion and removal skills that prevent future infiltrations.

Professional Snake Exclusion Process

Calling in the pros takes the guesswork and labor out of fully snake-proofing your property. Here is how a typical professional exclusion process unfolds:

Inspection of Vulnerable Areas

Snake removal techs methodically inspect inside and outside your home, searching for potential access points. Trouble areas include walls, vents, pipes, doors, and more. The goal is identifying every spot needing repair.

Repairs and Sealing Entryways

Discovered holes, cracks, loose covers, gaps, and other openings are sealed shut in problem areas so snakes cannot gain access. Expanding foam, cement, hardware cloth, steel wool, and other products permanently block access.

Installation of Mesh Screens and Fencing

When needed for severe snake issues, copper or steel mesh fencing with a curved top edge is installed around patios, crawlspaces vents, gardens, and other trouble zones. This provides a physical snake barrier.

Targeted Trapping and Removal

Humane snake traps are strategically set along known snake trails and favored access areas to capture and remove repeat offenders. This immediate control pairs with exclusion.

Follow Up Monitoring

Your technician will schedule periodic re-inspections and maintenance to check that all repairs are still intact. New cracks or damage can be fixed right away before snakes discover them. Monitoring ensures success.

With this start-to-finish approach, professional snake exclusion provides proven results and peace of mind that snakes won’t reappear later. Permanent solutions require an expert’s skills.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Snake Control Company

Not all wildlife removal companies are equal when it comes to skill with reptiles. Ask these key questions when selecting professional snake control services:

Are you licensed, insured, and experienced specifically with snake removal and exclusion? General pest control expertise differs.
Do you practice humane snake trapping and onsite release instead of killing snakes? Ethical removal is ideal.
What exclusion products and methods do you use? Look for advanced sealing materials and exclusion fences.
Will you provide follow up re-inspection and monitoring? Post service maintenance ensures lasting success.
Can you remove venomous species safely? The right tools and training are a must.
Do you offer any removal and exclusion guarantees? Optimal services stand behind their work.

Taking time to vet providers ensures you get qualified snake specialists with the expertise needed for your situation.

When tackling a serious snake invasion, the savvy move is calling in dedicated professionals. They have the advanced tools and knowledge for smooth removals and lasting exclusion your DIY efforts may lack. With an expert attack plan, you can rest easy knowing your yard will finally be snake-free.

Key Takeaways on Natural Snake Deterrents

Dealing with unwelcome snakes in your yard or home can seem daunting at first. By learning smart prevention and control strategies, you can reclaim your space and deter snakes humanely. Here are the key lessons:

Start by understanding why snakes invade yards and how to identify dangerous species. Knowledge is power when avoiding snake encounters.
Make your yard unappealing to snakes by removing food sources, limiting water availability, and eliminating places that offer shelter and breeding sites.
Employ natural deterrents like smell-repelling plants and oils. Used strategically, these can overwhelm snakes’ senses.
Seal up any indoor access points and use gravel or mulch borders outdoors to physically exclude snakes. Prevention is key.
For severe issues, venomous species, or removals inside the home, calling professional snake control experts is advised. They have advanced tools and skills.
Be vigilant in maintaining your snake deterrents. Persistence is necessary when dealing with these adaptive animals.
A layered approach combining modification, exclusion, and repellents works best. Don’t rely on just one single technique alone.

With a little insight into snakes’ needs and behaviors, you can take control and avoid un wanted encounters in your yard and home. Stay persistent, use repellents judiciously, and don’t hesitate to call the pros when needed.

Snakes play an important role in the environment, so peaceful coexistence is ideal when possible. But with the right eco-friendly precautions, you can still have a beautiful yard free of slithering visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions about Snake Deterrents

What is the most effective natural snake repellent?

There is no single magic repellent that will drive away all snakes. A combination of odor deterrents like garlic, lemongrass, and essential oils provides the best success. Using multiple repellent strategies together is more effective than relying on just one.

How do I keep snakes away from my house permanently?

Avoiding future snake encounters requires a multipronged approach: seal up all indoor and outdoor entry points, remove food/water attractants, maintain the yard to eliminate hiding spots, use repellent plants, and install physical barriers like gravel borders or mesh fencing when needed. Vigilance and constant maintenance are also necessary to make snake deterrence permanent.

What scent do snakes hate?

Snakes dislike strong, pungent odors. The scents of garlic, onions, lemongrass, cedar oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, and clove oil are naturally repulsive to snakes. Sulfur and mothballs also deter snakes through scent but require safe handling.

What plants keep snakes away?

Some proven snake-repelling plants include marigolds, garlic, lemongrass, wormwood, onions, and chives. Planting these around the perimeter of your yard helps deter snakes. Certain ornamental grasses are also thought to have natural snake repellent properties.

Does vinegar keep snakes away?

Yes, white vinegar is commonly recommended as a snake repellent, especially around pools and ponds. The strong scent and acidity of vinegar seems to deter snakes. However, it must be reapplied frequently as the odor fades quickly when exposed to the air and sun.

What home remedy keeps snakes away?

Making a garlic oil or garlic/onion spray using the juices of crushed cloves or onions is one of the most popular home remedies for keeping snakes away. Clove oil, cinnamon oil, and vodka are other DIY snake repellents that can be applied strategically in yards. Just avoid using dangerous chemicals like gasoline or kerosene.

When should you call professional snake removal?

It’s smart to contact professional snake control services if you have venomous snakes on your property, snakes frequently entering your home, a severe infestation overwhelming DIY remedies, babies or pets at risk, or need to humanely remove a snake from inside the house. Let the experts handle species identification and dangerous removals whenever possible.

How much does professional snake removal cost?

Depending on the company and severity of the issue, you can expect to pay $100 – $500 for professional snake removal and exclusion services. More complex jobs involving multiple visits or exclusion fencing may cost more. Be sure to get a detailed estimate upfront.

How can I find a professional snake removal company?

Search for “snake removal” along with your city to find local specialists. Look for licensed and insured companies experienced with snakes – not all wildlife control firms have reptile expertise. Ask for references and read reviews. A herpetological background is ideal for proper identification and handling.