Due to security concerns, snakes can be a major problem for homeowners. We would prefer not to have venomous or nonvenomous snakes in our neighborhood, as they are not particularly cute. To assist you in dealing with this issue and get rid of snakes, we have compiled a list of seven methods to effectively prevent these dangerous reptiles from entering your garden.
Use a snake repellent
We recommend first and foremost using a snake repellent. The latter product helps repel snakes by dispersing an unpleasant odor throughout the area. Due to its chemical constituents, however, it may be hazardous to both human and animal health.
As a safer alternative, you can create your own homemade snake repellent. In addition, you can find all the necessary ingredients in your kitchen. First, you need garlic and onions, which have a pungent odor that repels snakes. Please then follow the steps listed below:
- Coarsely chop 4-5 cloves of garlic and slice the onions lengthwise.
- Then, boil them for 5 minutes in a saucepan before allowing them to sit for at least 3 hours (or a night).
- Add a small amount of salt to the mixture before pouring it into a spray bottle.
- Now, your homemade snake repellent is done. Simply spray it all around your home to repel snakes.
Plant snake-resistant trees
Due to their highly developed sense of smell, snakes dislike all strong odors, including spices, and therefore avoid being near plants with a strong scent. Here are the top three recommended snake-repelling plants:
- Marigolds: Not only do the latter beautify your garden with their yellow flowers, but they also emit an odor that snakes dislike.
- Lemongrass: Even though its citrus scent is pleasing to humans, it is too potent for snakes and mosquitoes.
- Garlic: Garlic, renowned for its pungent flavor and aroma, is one of the most effective snake-repelling plants ever.
In addition, snakes fear certain plants, such as Mother-in-Tongue, Law’s whose leaves can irritate their skin. As a result, you can plant beautiful thorny shrubs all around your property to prevent unwanted guests from sneaking up on your home.
Tidy up your yard regularly
In general, snakes favor unkempt, overgrown yards where they can conceal themselves from predators. In addition, the untidy land attracts frogs and mice, which are snakes’ preferred prey! Therefore, it is essential to maintain a tidy garden if you want your home to be snake-free.
Therefore, you should regularly trim shrubs/bushes and mow the lawn. In addition, do not forget to remove all debris, unwanted items, and clutter to ensure that snakes and other animals have nowhere to hide.
Keep an eye out for cool and dark crevices or holes around the home.
In addition to the overgrown backyard, the land’s numerous holes and crevices make it an ideal habitat for snakes. In addition, they enjoy dark, damp places such as a garage, a basement, or an old shed.
Therefore, you should inspect the exterior, interior, and foundation of the home for small holes and gaps. Then, seal all of the entrances to prevent snakes from entering. Also, you may demolish an obsolete structure so that no one can use it as a shelter!
Install fences that repel snakes
A snake-proof fence is another effective method of protecting your home from these slithery reptiles. The latter may be constructed from wire mesh, rubber sheeting, or vinyl. Importantly, it must be installed close to the ground with no space underneath.
In addition, your home’s barrier should be higher than three feet to make it more difficult for snakes to ascend. We recommend placing gravel or prickly plants around the perimeter of the fences for a more effective deterrent, as snakes generally avoid slithering over sharp and pointed objects.
Eliminate all reptile food sources
Similar to other animals, snakes tend to live close to their food sources, which include small animals and insects. Therefore, you should always keep your property clean and get rid of any trash that could attract rodents. In addition, do not leave the food dish for your pet outside.
Moreover, if you have chickens, you should secure the hen house and collect the eggs regularly; otherwise, snakes and other predators may use them as a primary food source.
Find a big dog, a snake hunter!
Last but not least, as dogs are natural foes of snakes, adopting a dog, especially a terrier breed that was originally bred to chase small animals, is another effective solution.
As a result of their keen senses of smell and hearing, dogs are adept at locating and hunting snakes. This is the reason why snakes will avoid your property if they detect the scent of a dog nearby, and consequently will not make it their home.
And now you understand how to keep your home snake-free. However, if the snake problem appears too difficult to handle, you should seek professional assistance immediately for your safety. We hope this article will assist you in successfully repelling unwelcome guests from your yard!