An encounter with an unwanted snake on private property can be unsettling. Before attempting deterrence or removal, it is important to accurately identify the species and prioritize safety, especially with venomous snakes. The most effective strategies for managing these reptiles are non-lethal and focus on making the environment unappealing. This approach involves physical modifications to the landscape, the installation of exclusion barriers, and the application of various repellents.
Modifying the Landscape to Deter Snakes
The most powerful long-term method for discouraging snakes is to remove the factors that attract them: food and shelter. Snakes are drawn to residential areas because they follow prey, such as rodents, frogs, and insects. Controlling the local rodent population by securing garbage cans and cleaning up spilled birdseed will make the area less enticing.
Snakes seek cool, dark, and damp places for refuge and temperature regulation. Eliminate potential hiding spots by removing debris such as old boards, rock piles, leaf litter, and construction materials. Firewood piles should be stored neatly, elevated off the ground, and kept away from the home’s foundation.
Maintaining a well-kept lawn reduces the cover snakes rely on for protection from predators. Grass should be mowed regularly and kept short, as snakes avoid crossing exposed areas. Trimming shrubs and tree limbs so they do not touch the ground creates an exposed space snakes tend to avoid.
Constructing Physical Exclusion Barriers
While landscape modification removes attractants, installing a physical exclusion barrier directly blocks entry onto a property. This involves specialized fencing that snakes cannot penetrate or climb. The most effective material is galvanized hardware cloth with a mesh size of one-quarter inch or smaller, which blocks even young snakes.
The fence should be 36 to 42 inches tall above the ground, as few snakes can climb a smooth, vertical surface of this height. Installation requires burying the bottom edge of the mesh six inches into the ground and bending it outward at a 30-degree angle. This angle prevents climbing and deters burrowing beneath the barrier.
Beyond the perimeter, all structural entry points into a home must be sealed to prevent indoor access. Any gap larger than a quarter-inch in foundations, around pipes, or near vents should be closed. Using mortar, cement, or sheet metal is more effective than caulk for sealing entryways.
Scent-Based and Chemical Repellents
Many homeowners look for substances they can “put down” to create a repellent boundary, often turning to commercial or DIY chemical options. The most common granular repellents contain sulfur and naphthalene, the active ingredient in mothballs. However, the effectiveness of these products is highly variable and debated in scientific studies.
Research suggests that while snakes may sense these volatile chemicals, the stimulus is often not strong enough to override their instincts to seek food or shelter. In controlled field tests, motivated snakes have moved directly over repellent strips. Furthermore, naphthalene is toxic to mammals and pets, and using it outdoors as a repellent is often illegal because it is not the intended, labeled use.
DIY suggestions often focus on strong-smelling substances like cedar chips, ammonia-soaked rags, or essential oils (cinnamon and clove). These substances are thought to irritate the snake’s Jacobson’s organ, used for scent detection. However, these methods require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, and are ineffective for creating a lasting barrier outdoors.
Devices for Safe Capture and Relocation
When a snake is already present and cannot be deterred, active, non-lethal removal may be necessary. Specialized snake traps, such as modified minnow or funnel traps, can capture the animal alive for later release. These devices rely on a one-way entrance that allows the snake to crawl in but prevents it from finding the exit.
Avoid the use of glue traps, which are marketed for rodent control but can capture snakes. Snakes caught on these sticky surfaces suffer significant distress and injury. Releasing them often requires vegetable oil to dissolve the adhesive. Professional wildlife control is recommended if relocation is necessary, especially for venomous species.
For non-venomous snakes, a homeowner may use long-handled tools like snake hooks or tongs to safely lift and place the animal into a tall container for transport. When handling any snake, the user should maintain a safe distance and support the animal’s body to prevent injury during transfer. The snake should then be relocated to a suitable, distant habitat.