Say Goodbye to Snakes: Expert Advice

Team McFly Sep 23, 2023
2 People Read
garden snake
Table of Contents
  1. Getting Rid of Garden Snakes
    1. Introduction
    2. 1. Keep Your Yard Clean
    3. Mow Your Lawn:
    4. Use Repellents:
    5. Eliminating Potential Food Sources:
    6. 3. Removing Hiding Places
    7. 4. Using Repellents

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  

Getting Rid of Garden Snakes

Introduction

Gardens with lush greenery and diverse flora are a haven for many of nature's creatures. Among these residents, garden snakes often stir mixed emotions in garden enthusiasts. While these slithering visitors are typically harmless and can even be beneficial in controlling pests, not everyone is comfortable with their presence.

Whether it's due to an innate fear, concern for children and pets, or simply a desire for a snake-free garden, many seek methods to deter these reptiles. In "Getting Rid of Garden Snakes," we'll delve into understanding these misunderstood creatures and explore humane, effective strategies to keep them at bay. So, before you jump at the sight of the next garden snake, read on to equip yourself with knowledge and solutions!

Eliminate the conditions that could serve as a home for snakes, such as stacked hoses, firewood, tall grass, dense vegetation, and exposed outbuildings. These creatures will run away as a result of this.

1. Keep Your Yard Clean

Keep your garden neat and secure to keep snakes out of your yard if you have one. Snakes will find these spots very tempting if your yard has piles of trash, mounds of leaves, other waste, or holes in the ground.

Maintaining your yard and cutting the lawn periodically is the easiest way to avoid this issue. As a result, the grass will remain short and less enticing to snakes.

Additionally, ensure all gutters are clear and functional to stop rainfall from building up in the yard and eventually forming pools. Since they enjoy it so much, snakes frequently seek a location close to a body of water to call home.

Mow Your Lawn:

It will be much easier to maintain a clean garden if you mow your grass regularly and pick up any litter you find. It will also assist you in managing weeds, which is an additional advantage.

Removing any bushes or trees close to the house is also a good idea since they might provide an ideal area for snakes to conceal themselves. Trim your bushes and trees so that they are at least 6 inches high away from the foundation of your home to prevent this from happening.

firewood stacked

Snakes need a location to hide from their prey, and piles of firewood, lumber, and other waste and rubbish provide the ideal environment. You should remove these things from your property as soon as possible.

Eliminating all of a snake's potential food sources, such as rodents, lizards, insects, birds, and frogs, is the most effective method for preventing snakes from entering your yard. Because of this, it will be much more difficult for them to search and consume your plants.

Use Repellents:

In addition to this, you can try using natural repellents to get rid of them. Essential oils, which can be sprinkled around a garden to discourage snakes from living there, are used by some individuals.

Utilizing non-lethal traps that will capture the animals and place them in a secure location away from your garden is another way to discourage their presence. You can do it yourself or hire a professional pest control company to perform it for you because it is a very effective and compassionate option.

If you want to keep snakes off your property, one option that is more effective and cost-effective than hiring a snake control business is to use one of the many types of repellents available. Cinnamon, clove, and eugenol are some of the ingredients found in these repellents. Check out our article on the garden that is snake-proof as well.

Eliminating Potential Food Sources:

It is time to take action when a garden has reached the point where it is a snake breeding ground. The first thing that needs to be done to get rid of the snake problem is to get rid of its feeding sources. The garden should be clear of birdseed, berries, nuts, and anything else that can give the snakes a place to hide or food to eat.

In a similar vein, make sure you don't overwater the garden or leave any puddles of water around your property. This magnet attracts a wide variety of unwanted animals, including snakes. Eliminate all ponds, rain barrels, and other sources of standing water from the area.

If there are any rodent tunnels in the garden, you can seal them off by covering them with pebbles and soil. Rats have a natural urge to gnaw on things, so preventing them from accessing your garden using this method is essential.

Removing any garbage, waste, or debris in the garden is an additional strategy for preventing rodents from using the space for feeding. Because rodents and snakes may use trash and garbage as a food source, you must dispose of all trash and rubbish appropriately.

Consider working with a professional in pest control if you cannot clear away the debris on your own. These experts can diagnose the issue and outline a strategy for fixing it.

For instance, they might be able to get the rat out of the house and then put it down thereafter. An issue that demands rapid attention may have this kind of solution, which has the potential to be both successful and humanitarian.

After completing these processes, you should clean the area and get rid of any dead or decaying materials. Because of this, it will be easier in the future to prevent snakes from returning.

Natural snake repellents are another strategy for keeping snakes out of your garden. These are composed of chemical compounds that can cause the snake's skin to become irritated or cause it to flee the area. Some examples are garlic, onions, peppermint, lime, and sulfur.

These items are available for purchase at the majority of home and garden stores and are, for the most part, risk-free for animals to use. However, before using them, read the labels and follow the instructions.

When removing these items, make sure to use nothing but the tools required to do so in a safe and effective way. Never attempt to catch a snake while you are in the process of doing this, as doing so can be harmful to your health.

backyard shed

3. Removing Hiding Places

Eliminating the areas where pests might take refuge is one of the most effective pest control methods. This includes weedy locations with a damp, dark atmosphere, such as underboards.

Building a "bug hotel" out of stacked pallets, logs, or bricks is another fantastic idea. You can rescue the insects that are hidden inside this kind of construction and the critters that you can catch when you need them using this type of structure.

In addition to being an entertaining and uncomplicated method, building bug motels in your yard will entice bees and other beneficial insects. You may construct a bug hotel out of virtually anything you find lying around in your garden, such as overturned pots and splinters of wood.

Slugs can be eradicated by removing the spots where they can hide during the day. These are examples of Ivy, weedy regions, garbage, and plants with boarded-up edges.

Check the leaves and stems of your plants that are not being chewed on by a hand for holes and sparkling slime trails. Slugs may devour practically any plant in your yard, so it is important to keep an eye out for them.

The key to successfully eradicating your slug problems most efficiently is to identify the optimal combination of instruments and methods. You may start immediately by instituting a routine slug patrol in your garden.

If you do this, you will remain at the top of the slug game throughout the entire season. At dawn and dusk, you should go around the garden looking for spots where they might be hiding.

Getting rid of slugs in your yard can require digging, but the benefits will be well worth the effort. Once your slug problem is under control, you may relax and enjoy your garden again. You may have a lovely garden free from the problems caused by pests with a little bit of forethought and a lot of hard work.

4. Using Repellents

Using repellents can discourage snakes from entering your garden and your house. It is crucial to utilize them correctly to prevent rodents from eating the fruits and vegetables you plant, as they can also be used to discourage rodents from doing so.

Some repellents, such as DEET, include risk-free components for use around children and animals. However, others might not be, so it's important to follow the instructions on the label.

You may get rid of snakes in your yard by spraying a repellent directly onto the snake or using a sock packed with repellent. Both of these methods are effective. At least once every seven days, the insect repellent should be applied.

Using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or IR 3535 can help to keep snakes away from your property. They are a lot more effective than traditional pesticides.

Another choice is to enclose your garden with a wall. Making your repellent is achievable by combining lime juice with hot pepper or peppermint oil, which can then be sprayed around the edge of your garden.

These repellents aren't as effective at keeping snakes away from your property as other snake repellents, but they can still be very effective. It's crucial to remember that the most powerful snake repellents take a few days to start working, so it's better to use them in conjunction with other preventative measures.

Eliminate Food Supplies - Since many snakes consume rodents, eliminating any food sources is one approach to deter them from entering your yard. This can include pet food kept outside, accessible garbage, bird feeders, and woodpiles in or close to the yard.

Limit Hideouts – The simplest approach to keep snakes out of your yard is to get rid of any cover they could look for, like rocks or logs. This will entice the snakes to leave for new, better places to find cover and food.

Regular lawn mowing can aid in avoiding snake settlement and nest-building. To prevent snakes from hiding under your yard in tall grass or shrubs, mowing the grass at the proper height is critical.

Recent Related Articles:

The Snake-Proof Garden: How to Achieve It

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Table of Contents
  1. Getting Rid of Garden Snakes
    1. Introduction
    2. 1. Keep Your Yard Clean
    3. Mow Your Lawn:
    4. Use Repellents:
    5. Eliminating Potential Food Sources:
    6. 3. Removing Hiding Places
    7. 4. Using Repellents

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.