How to Get Rid of Snakes from Your Property
There’s nothing that sends chills down a homeowner’s spine quite like spotting a slithering serpent in their yard or home. Whether you’re dealing with a harmless garden variety or a venomous predator, knowing how to get rid of snakes can be a vital aspect of maintaining a safe and comfortable living space. This article offers helpful advice and practical steps you can take to keep these unwelcome guests away from your property.
Before we delve into the methods to rid your property of snakes, it’s important to note that snakes often enter homes and yards in search of food and shelter. Therefore, creating an environment that is inhospitable to them can drastically reduce the likelihood of encountering these reptiles. Now, let’s explore how to get rid of snakes effectively and humanely.
Twelve Easy Steps to Keep Your Property Safe and Sound
1. Maintain a Clean Yard
A cluttered yard is a snake’s paradise, offering an abundance of hiding places. Reduce snake attractions by keeping your grass trimmed, removing piles of wood or debris, and ensuring your garden is free from thick undergrowth. This will discourage snakes by limiting their shelter options.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
Snakes are often attracted to areas with abundant food sources, which primarily include small animals like rodents. Taking steps to control rodent populations can make your yard less appealing to snakes. Use humane traps or other pest control methods to keep rodents at bay.
3. Install Fencing
Consider installing a snake-proof fence around your property. This can be particularly effective if you live in an area with a high snake population. Make sure the fence is well sunk into the ground and features fine mesh or solid material that snakes can’t slither through.
4. Use Natural Repellents
There are several natural snake repellents on the market, often containing ingredients like cinnamon, clove oil, or sulfur, which snakes find unpleasant. Remember, though, that these solutions are not always 100% effective and may need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain.
5. Seal Entry Points
Ensure that all possible entry points into your home are sealed. Snakes can fit through surprisingly small holes, so be sure to seal any gaps in your doors, windows, or foundations. Inspect your property regularly and fix any cracks or openings promptly.
6. Hire a Professional
If a snake infestation becomes unmanageable, consider hiring a professional wildlife control or pest removal service. These professionals have the knowledge and equipment to remove snakes safely and humanely.
7. Use Snake Traps
Snake traps are another option for controlling snake populations in your property. Glue-based traps can capture snakes without harming them, allowing for their safe release far away from your home. If you’re uncomfortable handling the trapped snake, you can call a professional wildlife service for help.
8. Install Snake-Repelling Plants
Certain plants are known to repel snakes due to their smells or physical attributes. Examples include the marigold, the mother-in-law’s tongue (snake plant), and the lemongrass. Integrating these plants into your landscaping can create a natural barrier against snakes.
9. Keep Domestic Animals Supervised
Pets, especially small ones, can attract snakes to your yard. If you have pets, ensure that they’re supervised while outside, especially in areas known for snakes. Additionally, pet food should be stored securely to avoid attracting rodents, which in turn can attract snakes.
10. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils like clove and cinnamon oils have been shown to deter snakes. You can create a mixture of these oils with water and spray it around your property, focusing on areas where snakes may enter or hide. This method, however, requires regular application to remain effective.
11. Encourage Natural Predators
Certain animals, like hawks, foxes, and owls, are natural predators of snakes. If you live in a rural area, encouraging these animals to live on your property can help control the snake population. However, remember that these predators are wild animals and should be treated with respect and distance.
12. Keep Firewood Stacks Off the Ground
If you have a firewood stack, it can serve as a cozy shelter for snakes. To discourage this, ensure that your firewood is stacked well off the ground and away from your home.
Conclusion
Understanding how to get rid of snakes, be it garter snakes, rat snakes, or even venomous species like coral snakes, can offer a great sense of security for homeowners. While most snakes, particularly non-venomous snakes, are harmless, no one wants to risk a venomous snake bite. It’s important to remember that most snakes are natural snake predators that eat venomous snakes and help control pests like rodents. For instance, snakes eat mice, which can also be attracted by bird feeders, indirectly drawing snakes to your yard.
In your efforts to prevent snakes from making a home on your property, it’s vital to strike a balance. Utilize methods such as installing bird feeders high off the ground to deter rodents, and in turn, snakes. Incorporate natural snake repellent plants into your landscape and use other forms of snake-repellent to create a safe but environmentally respectful barrier.
Maintaining a clear and well-kept property, void of snake shelters, and controlling potential food sources, from rodents to bird feeders, are excellent methods to deter these reptiles. Don’t forget to encourage natural snake predators while applying natural snake repellent techniques, ensuring your property isn’t inviting to these reptiles. By employing these strategies, you can effectively prevent snakes from becoming unwelcome guests in your home and garden.
