- How to keep snakes out of your yard<\/a>
- Eliminate food sources<\/a><\/li>
- Get rid of standing water<\/a><\/li>
- Remove potential snake shelters<\/a><\/li>
- Mow or replace your lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Trim bushes and trees<\/a><\/li>
- Invite natural snake predators<\/a><\/li>
- Get pets that repel snakes<\/a><\/li>
- Install snake-proof fencing<\/a><\/li>
- Use snake repellents<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to get rid of snakes in your yard<\/a>
- Spray the snake with a hose<\/a><\/li>
- Invest in a glue trap<\/a><\/li>
- Use smoke<\/a><\/li>
- Call a local wildlife control team<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes<\/a>
- Common venomous snakes<\/a><\/li>
- Common non-venomous snakes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ about keeping snakes out of your yard<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
How to keep snakes out of your yard<\/span><\/h2>
The most important way to prevent snakes from coming into your yard is by making your property unsuitable for them in the first place. <\/p>
Snakes are attracted to the same things we are: food, water, and shelter. By eliminating these elements, you can drastically reduce the chances of snakes making a surprise appearance. <\/p>
Eliminate food sources<\/span><\/h3>
First, ensure your property has no food sources attractive for snakes. Snakes are carnivorous by nature, eating everything from small rodents to lizards, frogs, slugs, snails, and birds. To eliminate all chances of snakes making an appearance, try this:<\/p>
- Clean your yard<\/a> and remove any trash that could attract such animals.<\/li>
- Practice strict rodent and insect population control.<\/li>
- Don’t leave pet food outside; this can attract mice or other critters that snakes like eating. <\/li>
- Don\u2019t keep bird feeders around your yard, as this is another surefire way to attract snakes to your yard.<\/li> <\/ul>
Get rid of standing water<\/span><\/h3>
![\"standing](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Terrytown_Yard_Rain_Water_July_2017-1-1024x768.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Infrogmation of New Orleans<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Snakes love water, so if your yard has a pond, a pool, a fountain, or an area where water pools when it rains, then it\u2019s highly likely that snakes will come calling.<\/p>
To minimize this risk, cover up your swimming pool at night, clean your gutters<\/a> to prevent standing water from forming around your home\u2019s foundation, and keep your yard as tidy and dry as possible. Apart from keeping snakes away, you\u2019ll also have fewer mosquitoes around to bug you.<\/p>
Remove potential snake shelters<\/span><\/h3>
Removing any potential shelter in your landscape is another way to keep snakes at bay. Snakes like to live in cool, dark places, so:<\/p>
- Get rid of leaf piles<\/a>, old branches, large rocks, logs, and empty flower pots in your yard.<\/li>
- Have tight-fitting lids on all your trash cans to prevent snakes from crawling inside.<\/li>
- Seal all openings to your home, shed, garage, or any other structure on your property, preferably using thin metal sheets rather than caulk. In addition to keeping snakes out, you\u2019ll be preventing other critters from making themselves at home.<\/li> <\/ul>
Snakes won\u2019t stick around your yard for long if they don’t have somewhere to hide.<\/p>
Mow or replace your lawn<\/span><\/h3>
![\"mower](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/lawn-mower-g5246f6973_1920-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Snakes love tall grass and weeds because they can better hide from predators like owls and hawks.<\/p>
To make it harder for snakes to take shelter in your grass, mow your lawn<\/a> regularly. Not only will this keep snakes away, but your grass will look well-kept, thick, and lush.<\/p>
Another option is to replace certain areas of your lawn with gravel. The hard surface will bother the snake, and the lack of grass will make it impossible to take cover.<\/p>
Trim bushes and trees<\/span><\/h3>
Let\u2019s assume you\u2019ve removed all possible hiding spots, sealed entrances, and mowed your lawn. At this point, any snakes on your property may look for ways to climb up your trees or hide in your landscaping. Remove this option by trimming your trees and bushes<\/a>.<\/p>
Invite natural snake predators<\/span><\/h3>
You also can help natural snake predators by installing a perch pole. Perch poles are drilled into the ground in strategic locations around a yard, and the best part is you can DIY install them.<\/p>
Birds like owls and hawks will perch on these poles, giving them a place to sit while they hunt for food (like snakes). Luckily for you, this will help keep serpents off your property.<\/p>
Get pets that repel snakes<\/span><\/h3>
Certain pets may be able to keep snakes away from your property, but it\u2019s not a guarantee. Depending on the type of snake that shows up on your property, you may end up putting your pets at risk, as venomous snakes are aggressive and can cause injury or death. <\/p>
Here are several ways pets can support deter snakes:<\/p>
- Outdoor cats<\/strong> are natural predators, eating rodents and other critters around the yard. If strong enough, they may even kill certain types of snakes. Since cats can eliminate the food sources snakes are drawn to, you\u2019ll have fewer of them to worry about.<\/li>
- Large dogs<\/strong> can intimidate snakes simply thanks to their size and loud bark. Don\u2019t count on smaller dogs having the same effect, though, especially if they\u2019re inside dogs. In that case, don\u2019t expose your pet to the danger.<\/li>
- Guinea hens<\/strong> are also quite successful at repelling snakes, able to kill smaller snakes and make enough noise to disturb the slithering creatures.<\/li> <\/ul>
Tip<\/strong>: Clean up after your dog or cat, as their poop can attract rodents, which will attract snakes.<\/p>
Install snake-proof fencing<\/span><\/h3>
Snake-proof fencing is an efficient barrier against snakes, whether you\u2019re protecting your entire property or just your garden.<\/p>
A snake-proof fence is usually made of aluminum or galvanized stainless steel wire mesh, buried 10 inches in the ground. It should rise at least 30 inches above the ground and be slanted outward to make it harder for snakes to slither over. <\/p>
If you already have a fence in your yard and don\u2019t plan on getting a new one, check it for any crevices or gaps that snakes and other critters could get through.<\/p>
Take a look at these snake-proof fences for your yard:<\/p>
- GreatBuddy Hardware Cloth<\/a><\/li>
- CACAGDR Hardware Cloth<\/a><\/li>
- GoldPeak Hardware Cloth<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Use snake repellents<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Cinnamon](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Cinnamon_leaf_oil_25ml_Bottle_.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Gayandusmantha<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> There are several potential natural snake repellents available for homeowners nationwide. However, there isn\u2019t enough scientific evidence<\/a> regarding their effectiveness; some can do more harm than good. Whatever you decide, it\u2019s important to set realistic expectations.<\/p>
Aromatic flowers and plants that repel snakes<\/span><\/h4>
Certain flowers and plants naturally repel snakes due to their strong aroma. Plant any of these types in strategic spots in your yard and wait to see if they work:<\/p>
- Cactus<\/li>
- Kaffir lime<\/li>
- Mother-in-law\u2019s tongue (Snake plant)<\/li>
- Indian snakeroot<\/li>
- Wormwood<\/li>
- Onion<\/li>
- Rosemary<\/li>
- Garlic<\/li>
- Lemongrass<\/li>
- Marigold<\/li>
- Basil<\/li>
- Mint<\/li>
- Sage<\/li>
- Ginger<\/li>
- Thyme<\/li>
- Pepper<\/li> <\/ul>
Essential oils that repel snakes<\/span><\/h4>
You can try pouring or spraying natural essential oils around the areas you think may attract snakes. The good thing about essential oils is that, while they may repel snakes, they\u2019re non-toxic to humans. Keep them away from pets, though, as some may be harmful if ingested. <\/p>
Here are some examples:<\/p>
- Cedar oil<\/li>
- Cinnamon oil<\/li>
- Rosemary oil<\/li>
- Clove oil<\/li>
- Garlic oil<\/li>
- Pine oil<\/li> <\/ul>
Household items that repel snakes<\/span><\/h4>
Some common household items can also be used to deter certain snakes. These include:<\/p>
- Ammonia diluted in water<\/li>
- Powdered sulfur<\/li>
- White vinegar<\/li>
- Lime mixed with peppermint or pepper<\/li>
- Bleach (though be careful not to harm yourself or your pets, children, soil, or landscaping). When in doubt, opt for another method.<\/li> <\/ul>
Warning<\/strong>: Refrain from using mothballs to fix your snake problem. They contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, chemicals known to harm humans<\/a> (especially children). Beyond that, the mothball method can harm wildlife, pollute the air, and contaminate your soil and water supply. Plus, it\u2019s been called ineffective against snakes.<\/p>
Store-bought snake repellents<\/span><\/h4>
If you\u2019d rather use commercial snake-repellent products, these are some of the most popular options on the market:<\/p>
- Ortho Snake B Gon Granules<\/a><\/li>
- Victor Snake-A-Way Granules<\/a><\/li>
- Exterminator\u2019s Choice Natural Snake Repellent<\/a><\/li>
- Nature\u2019s Mace Snake Repellent<\/a><\/li>
- Safer Brand Snake Shield<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Remember that just because these products are available in stores doesn\u2019t make them effective. They also can harm pets, children, and animals in the vicinity, so tread carefully when applying these products in your yard. <\/p>
How to get rid of snakes in your yard<\/span><\/h2>
![\"snake](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/569418513_4ed27f1ae9_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sayjack<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> Snakes can be sneaky, and even though you may have done everything in your power to keep them out of your yard, sometimes they just find a way in.<\/p>
But fear not, as there are still things you can do to get rid of them once they\u2019re in your yard. <\/p>
Spray the snake with a hose<\/span><\/h3>
Using a hose, spray a steady stream of water at the snake; it will likely move along, seek shelter, and be discouraged from returning to your yard.<\/p>
Invest in a glue trap<\/span><\/h3>
A glue trap is a device designed to trap animals in place. The animal gets stuck to the sticky substance and cannot get away. You can easily find these traps in different sizes at your local hardware store. <\/p>
Set up the glue trap in an area where snakes are known to roam, remembering to check it every day. Once you\u2019ve trapped the snake inside the trap, call a wildlife or animal control company to remove it. <\/p>
Though effective, this method is considered cruel due to the slow, painful deaths the captured animals experience.<\/p>
Use smoke<\/span><\/h3>
Smoke irritates snakes\u2019 sensitive eyes and noses, so you can try using a fire pit to make them run away from your property.<\/p>
Warning:<\/strong> Be careful not to place your fire pit or anything you use to produce fire\/smoke near combustibles or electrical installations.<\/p>
Call a local wildlife control team<\/span><\/h3>
A wildlife control company can safely remove snakes from your yard and return them to their natural habitat away from residential communities.<\/p>
How to tell the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes<\/span><\/h2>
The only thing more terrifying than a snake is a venomous one. Our table can help you tell apart different types of snakes:<\/p>
- Victor Snake-A-Way Granules<\/a><\/li>
- Ortho Snake B Gon Granules<\/a><\/li>
- CACAGDR Hardware Cloth<\/a><\/li>
- Large dogs<\/strong> can intimidate snakes simply thanks to their size and loud bark. Don\u2019t count on smaller dogs having the same effect, though, especially if they\u2019re inside dogs. In that case, don\u2019t expose your pet to the danger.<\/li>
- Common non-venomous snakes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Invest in a glue trap<\/a><\/li>
- Get rid of standing water<\/a><\/li>
- Eliminate food sources<\/a><\/li>