To many people, the idea of a snake in their yard is terrifying. But they don’t have to be. Snakes are not aggressive creatures and will usually leave you alone if you do nothing to bother them.
All that said, it never hurts to arm yourself with some knowledge about how snakes behave and what you can do to keep them out of your yard or garden in general.
This article will discuss some of the best ways to keep snakes out of your yard. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating creature.
The first thing any gardener should know is that snakes like places with a cover from trees, shrubs, rock walls, or tall grasses – all those things that provide shade from the sun during the day and protection from predators at night.
They also need a moist environment where they can hunt for food, such as rodents and insects.
Contents
- Best Way to Keep Snakes out of Yard
- 1. Keep the Grass Short
- 2. Remove Rocks and Other Debris
- 4. Eliminate Food Sources
- 5. Avoid Excessive Moisture
- 6. Use Natural Repellants
- 7. Use Essential Oils
- Most Effective Snake Repellant
- Home Remedies to Keep Snakes Away
- 1. Clove and cinnamon
- 2. Mothballs
- 3. Cayenne Pepper
- 4. Sulphur
- 5. Smoke Them out
- Signs of Snakes in Your Yard
- Plants that Keep Snakes Away
- How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard Naturally
- 1. Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2. Cayenne Pepper
- 3. Plants
- How to Avoid Snakes in your Backyard in 7 Ways
- How to Avoid Snakes in your Backyard
- 1. Get rid of the rodents
- 2. Avoid overwatering your backyard.
- 3. Changing your landscape
- 4. Mow your grass
- 5. Install a perch pole
- 6. Fence your backyard
- 7. Move your bird feeder.
- How to Keep Snakes out of My Yard (FAQs)
- What causes snakes to come to your yard?
- What do snakes hate the most?
- Do fake owls keep snakes away?
- Does Vinegar Keep Snakes Away?
- Does Ammonia Repel Snakes?
- Does Garlic Repel Snakes?
- Does Lime Keep Snakes Away?
- Does Diesel Keep Snakes Away?
- What keeps snakes away from your yard?
- Will cinnamon keep snakes away?
- What does putting soap in your garden do?
- Do snakes make holes in your yard?
- Do snakes return to the same place?
- What month do snakes come out?
- What should I do if I see a snake in my yard?
- Author
Best Way to Keep Snakes out of Yard
1. Keep the Grass Short
Snakes like to hide in tall grass, so the easiest way to deter them is to keep the grass cut short.
This creates less habitat and may push them out into open areas that are more difficult for them to sneak around in.
2. Remove Rocks and Other Debris
Snakes like to hide under things that they can curl up against. Rocks, tree stumps, and other debris will attract snakes and make them feel safe, so remove them if possible.
4. Eliminate Food Sources
Snakes need food to survive, so if you eliminate the mice and insects in your yard, you will likely also push away any snakes that may be within.
A snake might stop by for a quick meal on occasion, but having no food source is by far the best way to keep them away.
5. Avoid Excessive Moisture
Snakes love wet areas, but you don’t have to make your yard a swamp to keep them out. If the area around your home is prone to flooding or humidity during certain seasons of the year, you might want to take steps to prevent this from occurring.
By maintaining clear drainage paths and not over-watering plants, you can reduce the amount of moisture in your yard and deter snakes that like to hunt in such areas.
6. Use Natural Repellants
Several natural repellants can deter snakes. Some of these include human hair, mothballs, and even urine.
If you want to go the organic route, there are also numerous snake repellant products available in pet stores and online.
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7. Use Essential Oils
You can also try to scare off snakes by using natural products. A common way of doing this is to apply essential oils in areas you don’t want snakes.
Most Effective Snake Repellant
If you try all the remedies above and still have a problem with snakes, you may want to consider some commercial snake repellants from your local hardware store or online store.
On that note, the most effective snake repellant is the Victor Snake-a-way snake repellant. It is in granular form and contains a unique blend of two compounds.
The combination of the two is known to effectively repel snakes from your yard, providing you with a safer area as it helps protect pets and children from possible encounters.
It is popular with homeowners because it also has no harmful chemicals that can damage plants or hurt wildlife.
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Home Remedies to Keep Snakes Away
1. Clove and cinnamon
One of the most common home remedies for keeping snakes away is to rub garlic cloves and cinnamon sticks.
This will release fumes that will deter them from entering your yard or eating any pets in or around it.
2. Mothballs
Another popular home remedy for repelling snakes is to spread mothballs around areas where they are usually found.
The strong scent that mothballs produce can be very effective in keeping the snakes away from specific areas.
3. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is another possible home remedy for keeping snakes away, as the strong odor they produce can often prevent them from coming too close to your home.
The logical way of going about this would be to sprinkle cayenne pepper on the ground around your home and along walkways.
4. Sulphur
Sulfur can also effectively keep snakes away, as the pungent odor they produce is not something most snakes can tolerate.
It is best to sprinkle the sulfur near areas that you want to keep snakes out of, such as ponds and other places where they may often inhabit
5. Smoke Them out
One of the most effective ways to get rid of snakes in your yard is by smoking them out. You can do this by lighting a fire, which will force them out of their hiding areas and into plain sight.
Snakes have a powerful sense of smell, and it often works against them.
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Signs of Snakes in Your Yard
Numerous signs can indicate the presence of snakes in your yard. Some of these include:
- Feces or snake skins-If you notice these types of things around your property, you should contact a professional immediately to take care of the problem
- Holes in your yard– Keep a close eye on the holes that appear in your yard because this can be another clear sign of snakes and other pests.
- Gnawing of branches and leaves– When you notice leaves on your plants have been gnawed, snakes have likely been in the area.
- Loud rustling of grass-this can be another sign that a snake is close. When you notice loud rustling in your yard, even late at night, something could be after your pet.
Plants that Keep Snakes Away
- Onions: Snakes hate the smell of onions, and they will often stay away from them.
- Marigolds: Marigolds can also keep snakes away. It would help if you planted them around your garden, and they will provide an extra layer of protection from snakes.
- Mother-in-law’s tongue: Also called snake plant, this plant will provide lots of colors to your garden, and it will also keep snakes away.
- Lemongrass: lemongrass can keep snakes, rats, and mice away. It is a very versatile plant that you can use in making natural repellents around your home.
- Garlic: Much like onions, garlic will keep away most pests, and snakes are no exception. Plant garlic around your garden or use it to make a repellent spray.
- Pink agapanthus: this plant will give your home a vibrant look, and it will also keep away snakes.
- Mugwort: this plant has a powerful scent, and it will keep snakes away.
How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard Naturally
Most commercial repellents will only repel snakes for a few days, so you would need to reapply them now and then.
If you want to get rid of them once and for all, make sure that you use natural remedies.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
If you want to get rid of snakes in your yard, you can do it naturally with apple cider vinegar. You should mix two or three tablespoons into a gallon of water and use it to spray around your yard.
You will need to do this every day for a week, depending on how bad the infestation is.
2. Cayenne Pepper
It would be best to choose natural remedies because commercial repellents can be dangerous for both humans and animals. You can use cayenne pepper mixed with cedar chips to get rid of snakes naturally.
3. Plants
As mentioned previously, some plants can also keep snakes away from your yard. It would help if you planted them around your garden or in pots wherever you have seen snake activity.
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How to Avoid Snakes in your Backyard in 7 Ways
Snakes are not creatures you want to have around, but when they slither across your backyard, it means they have a good reason to be there.
They are shy, vicious predators, whether venomous or not, and learning how to avoid snakes in your backyard will save you from the terror of encountering one.
Summer has arrived, and the scorching heat will drive the majority of these terrifying scaly creatures into your well-watered backyard, and whether you live in the suburbs or the city, there is a good chance you will come across one.
These simple, clever methods I’m about to share will help keep snakes out of your backyard.
How to Avoid Snakes in your Backyard
1. Get rid of the rodents
Snakes despise confrontation, especially with humans, and they would despise being disturbed in their natural habitat. They, too, are compelled to enter our yard, primarily searching for food.
Rodents are their favorite food, and if there are mice around, the snakes are likely to be lying around somewhere. It’s like walking into a McDonald’s and ordering your favorite bugger in the same way that snakes will let themselves into your yard.
Get rid of any pet food and anything edible for rodents, and the snakes will have no reason to visit.
2. Avoid overwatering your backyard.
Overwatering your yard will make it a good home for snakes. The excess water will attract prey such as frogs and lizards while providing a cool environment, especially during the hot seasons.
3. Changing your landscape
If you have a serious snake problem, you will be forced to change your landscaping. It is simple to make your property unsuitable for these creatures. By removing boulders and discontinuing mulching, you can alter the landscape. These locations offer adequate sun protection for snakes.
Mulching saves you time while tending to your garden, making it the best gardener’s friend. They are moist and dark, providing perfect cover for snakes from predators. They are also an excellent food source for snakes.
Even though mulching and rocks add aesthetic value to your backyard, they attract snakes.
4. Mow your grass
Snakes will use your grass as cover, knowing that their predators will not be able to see them.
I once saw a snake slithering through my backyard. My grass had grown tall while I was away for the holidays. I never saw the snake after mowing my lawn a few days later. Mowing your lawn at least once a week eliminates the snake’s hiding place.
5. Install a perch pole
The best way to keep snakes away from your backyard is to welcome their predators. Owls and eagles will appreciate a perch pole as a safe landing spot.
Frequent visits from snake predators is a biological method that will work perfectly.
Snakes recognize that they are not at the top of the food chain and will flee if their life is threatened.
6. Fence your backyard
Because most snakes are not good climbers, erecting a barrier around your backyard will keep snakes out. The fence can be made of steel mesh or a catch net, but it must be narrow enough to prevent any size snake from passing through it.
The snake-proof fence should be tall enough to keep them from climbing. Using this method with a combination of lemongrass around the fence while I was in California was very effective without changing the beautiful landscape of my yard.
7. Move your bird feeder.
Rodents are attracted to messy areas, and because birds are messy eaters, they tend to scatter the feed around the feeder, attracting rodents, and where rodents get food, a snake is not far behind.
Furthermore, the constant songbird melodies will attract these frightening creatures, as they also relish birds as a meal.
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Despite their fearsome reputation, snakes perform a crucial part in our ecology; nonetheless, unless you want to keep them as pets, avoiding them in your backyard is less expensive than hiring a pest control company.
If you’ve ever visited California, you know that snakes are a prevalent concern in homes, but these tactics for how to avoid snakes in your backyard work effectively. Try a few or combine them all, and you won’t regret it. Please don’t give them a chance
How to Keep Snakes out of My Yard (FAQs)
What causes snakes to come to your yard?
Snakes look for food wherever they can get it, and your yard might be the perfect place to look for rodents and other small animals.
Also, snakes often use the same paths to get around so that they might travel through your property
What do snakes hate the most?
Snakes hate strong smells such as ammonia. You can use ammonia to your advantage and spray it around the yard.
Do fake owls keep snakes away?
Owls are a major predator of snakes, so using fake owls will help keep them away from your property.
Does Vinegar Keep Snakes Away?
Vinegar is an excellent DIY repellent for snakes, as they hate the smell and will not go near any areas sprayed with vinegar.
One of the best ways to use vinegar to keep snakes away is to make a mixture using equal parts water and vinegar, which you can spray on plants or walkways.
It works best around water bodies or other moist places that they usually inhabit.
Does Ammonia Repel Snakes?
Ammonia is another popular way to deter snakes, as it drives them away from sprayed areas.
Soak a rug piece in ammonia and then place it along the edge of your yard where snakes like to hang out.
Alternatively, you can also make a mixture with one part ammonia and two parts water and sprinkle it around your yard.
Does Garlic Repel Snakes?
The sulfonic acid compounds released when you crush garlic is effective in keeping snakes away.
You can use it by crushing several garlic cloves and placing them around the edge of a pond.
Does Lime Keep Snakes Away?
According to Colorado State University Extension researchers, lime doesn’t stop snakes from coming into your yard or climbing into your home.
This is a common myth that has been circulating for a long time. We recommend that you eliminate any snakes in your yard by using Victor Snake-a-way snake repellant granules.
Does Diesel Keep Snakes Away?
Most people claim that diesel can keep snakes away. However, this is only a rumor, and there are no studies that confirm this theory.
Most importantly, though, diesel is highly flammable, so you should never use it in your yard, or you risk a fire.
In addition, spilling diesel around your home is not good for the environment, and you can easily harm or kill any wildlife or pets if they come into contact with it.
If you are interested in keeping snakes away from your property, we recommend using Victor Snake-a-way snake repellant granules for the best results.
What keeps snakes away from your yard?
There are numerous methods for keeping snakes out of your yard, but using ammonia or planting lemongrass is the most effective.
If you decide to use ammonia, soak some in a rug, scatter it around your yard, or plant lemongrass.
Will cinnamon keep snakes away?
Snakes dislike the smell of cinnamon because they have a strong sense of smell; some people claim that they can taste the cinnamon scent with their tongue.
Furthermore, cinnamon is one of the repellants approved by Animal and Plant Control for repelling snakes.
What does putting soap in your garden do?
Some insects can be eliminated by shaving soap in your garden. It’s a cheap way to make your pesticide, but it’s ineffective for getting rid of snakes in your yard.
Do snakes make holes in your yard?
Snakes cannot burrow a hole in your backyard, but they will happily live in one. Snakes will make themselves at home in rodent-dug holes.
Do snakes return to the same place?
Snakes are extremely familiar with their surroundings; they know where to find food and water, where to hide if startled, and where to avoid.
They become at ease in these environments and may decide to make it their permanent home. As a result, if you relocate them nearby, they will eventually return to their original location.
What month do snakes come out?
In fact, snakes are more active in late autumn than at any other time of year. There are a lot of newborn snakes during this season.
Because of their terrible parenting skills, their offspring frequently leave the “house” searching for food.
What should I do if I see a snake in my yard?
If you come across a snake and are unsure whether it is venomous or not, contact a pest control company. Meanwhile, make every effort to ensure that no one is harmed.
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Snakes are a common problem in many yards. It is essential to be vigilant and know how to keep snakes away from your property because they can pose a danger, especially if you have children or pets.
The best way to keep snakes out of yard is by using natural remedies that will not harm animals or humans. If this doesn’t work for you and the infestation persists, it’s time to call professionals specializing in snake removal services.
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