How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Home and Yard

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Home and Yard

Snakes are scaly, legless, and unique creatures that slither into your yard and sometimes even your home. Some snakes can be dangerous, while others are beloved as pets. However, seeing an unwelcome snake in your yard can be troubling. Here are six ways to keep snakes out of your home and yard.

 

When Do Snakes Come Out?

Snakes are commonly encountered during the spring and throughout summer, with temperatures an average between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They are mostly active in the early morning and late afternoons due to the hot summer temperatures during the day. You may even see a few in late summer or early fall before they go into hibernation or brumation. Snakes usually don’t sleep during brumation, but instead, they adjust their bodies to lower temperatures and slow down their metabolism that results in them being less active. 

What Will Keep Snakes Away?

If you see a snake slithering in your yard or garden, the first reaction is to buy a chemical repellent. However, this isn’t the safest method because these chemical repellents can be harmful to your pets, family, and the environment. The best method to use repellents that are designed specifically for snakes. Be sure to follow the direction exactly and sprinkle the repellent around your property every 30 days to keep the snakes from entering your yard and home. It’s essential to research and determine why snakes are attracted to your home because, most of the time, they are on the lookout for food and shelter. If so, keep them away by removing rodents and other food sources like animal food. 

1. Keep Your Yard Clean

One thing snakes really enjoy is clutter because it gives them a great spot to hide from potential predators. Snakes are reptiles which means they need warmth to survive, and your cluttered compost pies and stacks of wood make the perfect cozy home that protects snakes from being attacked or found. There are alternative ways that make your yard less attractive, like keeping your yard clean from piles of debris, wood, and compost. You should store your firewood in a sealed wooden box and contain your compost pile.

2. Mow Your Grass

Tall grass makes a great hiding place for snakes to prey on other animals and provides cover from their predators. Keeping your grass trimmed regularly for snakes to most likely look for areas that they are not as exposed. 

3. Learn About the Different Types of Snakes

Research different types of snakes that are local to your region because it will give you a better idea of what kind of habitat they like to live in. Once you understand what conditions create the ideal environment for snakes, you can determine what elements in your yard that attract snakes. Learning about the different types of snakes will give you a better idea of how concerned you should be with snakes on your property. There are some snakes that are venomous, and you should take the extra steps to prevent them from settling in your yard, while other snakes like garter snakes are generally considered to be beneficial to keep around and relatively harmless. 

4. Secure the Perimeter of Your Home

The biggest issue with having snakes in your yard is that they can easily find their way into your home. In order to keep snakes out of your home, you will want to inspect the perimeter of your property and other buildings like the garages and shed. You should regularly check for any cracks and holes that snakes can slither through. Check basement windows and cover any openings and vents with a fine mesh and patch up holes. Do this as soon as possible to eliminate any hiding places. Snakes prefer dark, damp places, and getting rid of any chances for them to live and hide in cracks, crevices, holes can help deter snakes from entering your home. Repair any entry points and damaged gutters, piping, and ventilation duct that makes it possible for snakes to slither through.

5. Regularly Landscape

Tired of finding snakes in your yard, home, or garden? You should consider making changes that will help deter snakes from coming into your yard. Regularly maintaining your garden and yard to remove any snake attractions like debris, holes, and overgrowth. Methods like keeping your grass cut short can help to eliminate the hiding places for snakes, and installing a snake-proof fence will keep snakes from entering your yard. You can also use sharp material to make it difficult for snakes to travel over holly leaves, pine combs, eggshells, and gravel. There are certain plants that provide a natural repellent like marigolds, lemongrass, and worm grass.

6. Call a Professional

Removing a snake can be dangerous for you and your family. When you try to remove a snake, it could bite you, which has the possibility of deadly diseases, and even death. Hire a professional service to protect yourself and your family from possibly becoming attacked. Rid-A-Bug provides a service to relocate wild animals from your home. Our trained professionals can help remove all types of unwanted wildlife in the most humane removal process. Contact us today as quickly as possible for humane removal or wildlife problems.