How to Naturally Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard
Snakes play an important role in any ecosystem, but most people would rather they stay far away from their yard, especially when pets or children are around. Lucky for you, there are natural ways to keep snakes from settling near your home without using harmful chemicals or traps.
Use these strategies to make your yard less attractive to snakes so they won't want to move in in the first place!
Maintain a Clean and Uncluttered Yard
Snakes are drawn to areas that offer shelter and cover. Tall grass, overgrown plants, wood piles, rock stacks, and discarded items can provide excellent hiding spots.
Regularly mow your lawn, trim shrubs, and keep garden areas free of debris. Store firewood neatly and away from the house, ideally off the ground.
Also, seal compost bins and put away unused equipment or materials where snakes might nest.
Eliminate Food Sources
One of the main reasons snakes go to yards in the first place is to find food. Rodents, frogs, and insects are all common snake prey. To naturally reduce these populations, consider using peppermint oil or clove oil around garden beds and areas where you see mice or pests.
You should also clean up fallen birdseed and dropped pet food, which can attract rodents that draw in snakes.
Use Natural Snake Repellents
Certain strong-smelling substances may deter snakes. Spraying a mixture of garlic oil, clove oil, and water along the property line of your yard or foundation can make the area less inviting. Some plants, such as lemongrass, marigolds, and wormwood, are also believed to repel snakes. While results vary, they are safe to use and add a nice pop of color to any yard.
Try to avoid using mothballs or chemical-based repellents, which can be toxic to pets and harmful to the environment.
Put Up Physical Barriers
If you live in an area with a large snake population, putting up snake-proof fencing may be worth the investment. The fence should be made of fine mesh or hardware cloth, stand at least 36 inches tall, and be buried a few inches underground. Angling the top outward can also keep snakes from climbing over the fence.
Even without putting up new fencing, patching up any gaps in existing walls, fences, and foundations can cut down on the ways snakes can get into your yard.
Create Disturbances to Discourage Nesting
Snakes prefer calm, quiet areas, so you want your yard to be the opposite of that. Installing motion-activated sprinklers or vibration stakes can disrupt the kind of peaceful environment snakes seek without interrupting your enjoyment of your yard. Regularly walking around outside, making noise, or letting pets roam the yard can also discourage them from settling in.
Naturally, keeping snakes out of your yard involves a mix of prevention and deterrents. By removing shelters, cutting off food sources, and making the environment less welcoming, you can lower the chances of snakes moving in, without having to turn to toxic products or harmful practices. Try these techniques out, and get back to enjoying your yard without having to worry about snakes.