Keeping snakes away from your yard doesn’t have to be complicated, and with a few smart strategies, you can make your outdoor space a lot less inviting to them. The first step is to cut off their food supply. Snakes are attracted to areas where they can find an easy meal. They eat mice and rats, but they’ll also munch on discarded birdseed and fallen fruit. If you have a compost bin, make sure it’s completely sealed to avoid attracting rodents.
If you enjoy feeding birds, it’s a good idea to keep bird feeders around the perimeter of your yard, as far from your house as possible, to minimize the chances of drawing snakes closer to your home. Another simple yet effective tip is to plant lemongrass in your garden. Snakes can’t stand the strong citrus smell of lemongrass, and as a bonus, mosquitoes hate it too, so you’ll be killing two birds with one stone. Speaking of citrus, you can also make a natural citrus solution to deter snakes. Just add some lemon or orange peels to a jar of water, let them soak for 24 hours, and then spray the solution around patio furniture, decks, and porch stairs. The scent will make snakes think twice about coming any closer.
Maintaining your yard is another crucial step. Snakes love to hide in tall weeds, piles of sticks, and general yard debris, so keeping your yard neat and tidy will make it a lot less attractive to them. Regularly mow your lawn, remove leaf piles, and don’t let junk accumulate around your property. It’s also important to seal off your home to ensure snakes don’t make their way inside. Check for any cracks in your foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and holes in window screens. Make sure everything is properly sealed so there are no easy entry points for snakes or the rodents they like to hunt.
If you prefer a natural approach, you can make your own DIY snake repellent instead of using chemical-filled products that could be harmful to pets, children, or plants. A great homemade option is mixing equal parts cinnamon oil and clove oil. Spray this mixture along your home’s perimeter, around decks, porches, and any other potential hiding spots to keep snakes at bay. Mothballs are another tool you can use to deter snakes.
While they are traditionally used to keep away insects, snakes also dislike the smell. Place mothballs around your home’s foundation and near the back porch. However, be cautious because mothballs are highly toxic to children and pets, so never place them where curious little hands or paws could get to them. If you’ve tried everything and still have a snake problem, you might want to consider using humane snake traps. These traps allow you to safely capture snakes without harming them. Once you catch one, you can release it in a wooded area far away from your home, giving both you and the snake a better outcome. Keeping snakes out of your yard involves a combination of strategies—cutting off their food, making the environment less appealing, sealing off potential entrances, and using deterrents when necessary. While it might sound like a lot of work, these small efforts add up and make your yard a place snakes would rather avoid. By staying proactive and following these simple, natural methods, you can enjoy your outdoor space without the worry of an unexpected slithering visitor.
