The Best Ways To Keep Snakes Out Of A Yard

There are good reasons why a fear of snakes is one of the most common animal phobias. Snakes are unique slithering creatures that seem to appear out of nowhere. Furthermore, many snake species are venomous and potentially quite deadly. Therefore, you want to do all you can to keep them away from your loved ones and pets. To do this, you need to know the best ways to keep snakes away from your yard.

To keep snakes out of your yard, consider building a snake fence, which goes several inches underground. You can also plant root vegetables with allium, like onions, shallots, and garlic. Several herbs, including basil and lemongrass, are effective at keeping snakes away. You can also add spiky plants like cactus, eliminate a snake's water source, or opt to purchase snake repellent for your yard.

If there are snakes in your neighborhood, or if you’ve seen them slithering through your yard, then this article is for you. Snakes are clever and resourceful reptiles, but there are many ways to keep them away. There are a variety of methods you can try, and almost all them you can do without the help of a professional. Keep reading to learn all the best ways to keep snakes out of your yard for good.

11 Ways To Help Keep Snakes Out Of Your Yard

1. Use Garlic And Onions To Keep Them Away

If you like gardening and hate snakes, then you should plant some onions. Snakes are sensitive to smells, and they hate plants that contain allium. Allium is what causes you to tear up when chopping onions. It also keeps snakes away.

Instead of decorative grasses along the edges of your property, opt for chives, garlic, and onions. These plants will help deter snakes and are delicious to eat. Even if you don’t cook, onions and garlic produce lovely flowers you can enjoy in the summer months.

2. Plant Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Snake Plants)

If you are looking for a low-maintenance and natural way to keep snakes away, then consider planting a lot of snake plants. These plants not only make great low-maintenance houseplants, but they thrive outdoors, and keep snakes away in the process.

This plant is commonly called mother-in-law’s tongue because it never dies. It doesn’t give off an odor but instead, grows sharp tall leaves. It is these tall leaves that intimidate snakes. Grow them in a row along fences and garden borders. This will keep snakes out of your yard, or at least away from parts of the yard you frequently use.

3. Install Snake Fencing

If you are looking for the most effective and permanent solution to your snake problem, consider installing snake fencing. You might think a fence that has no holes and goes to the ground will keep snakes away. This may deter them, but these reptiles slither underneath most fences.

Instead, you must install snake fencing. This is a durable metal fencing that goes several inches beneath the ground and is highly effective at keeping out snakes. Snake fencing can be costly and labor-intensive. Still, it is a good option for those who have venomous snakes in their area.

4. Buy Snake Repellent

One classic and straightforward method to deter snakes from entering your yard is to use snake repellent. Some people swear these sprays work great, while others remain unconvinced.

There are different types of snake sprays, and many use sulfur and other strong smells to keep snakes away. This is a good option for anyone looking for a quick way to help keep snakes away for a short period, like for a child’s outdoor birthday party.

5. Remove Water Sources 

Snakes, like all animals, require water. They usually like to rest in shady and wet areas (some snakes more than others). If you remove wet areas from your yard, then snakes will likely move on to a place that has more moisture.

If you have a leaking hose, fix it. Fill up any holes that collect water, and don’t leave any buckets or empty planters outside where they can collect water. Remember that stagnant water is a magnet for mosquitoes, and can also attract reptiles like snakes.

6. Get Rid Of Waste And Keep Your Yard Tidy

Another great way to make your yard is less desirable for snakes is to keep it clean and tidy. Remember that decomposing matter is likely to attract pests and rodents. Snakes love eating rodents, and they love places to hide.

Keep your lawn fairly short, and your hedges trimmed. The more neat you keep your yard, the less desirable it becomes to snakes. It is also a great way to make your home’s exterior look better.

7. Remove The Snake’s Food Source

Snakes, like all predators, will stay near food sources. Therefore, if you eliminate a snake’s food source, it will move on to more appealing yards. One great way to help remove a snake’s food source is to ensure you have no rodents in your yard.

Eradicate any rodent problems that can include mice, rats, voles, or even chipmunks. Once you get rid of a snake’s favorite foods, it will likely move on to somewhere where it can hunt more easily.

8. Spray Cinnamon And Clove Essential Oils

If you are looking for a kind and holistic approach to keeping snakes out of your yard, you can reach for your essential oils. A cinnamon and clove oil mix might remind you of holiday treats, but these oils combine to make an effective and natural snake repellent.

Both cinnamon and clove have strong smells, and when combined together, snakes are known to go the other way. Best of all, while snakes hate this smell, humans tend to love it.

9. Add Prickly Plants Like Cactus

Planting cactus and other prickly plants like holly not only give your yard a unique look, but they also provide hazards that snakes will likely avoid. Snakes might have scales and tough skin, but they still hate being scratched and poked. Therefore, the more prickly plants you add to your yard, the less desirable it becomes to a snake.

10. Plant Herbs Like Basil And Lemongrass

If you want to grow an herb garden in your yard and also want to keep snakes away, there are a few plants you should have in your garden. Lemongrass is a lovely and fragrant tall grass that is popular in Thai and other Asian cooking. It is also hated by snakes.

Some other popular herbs that can help keep snakes away include basil and citronella, and sage. Planting all these herbs in an herb garden along the fence line can be effective at keeping snakes out of your yard.

11. Plant Lots Of Marigolds

Lastly, if you are looking for a way to keep snakes away while making your yard beautiful at the same time, consider planting a bunch of marigolds. Marigolds have vibrant orange blooms and provide incredible pops of color in any garden. These plants are easy to grow, and they have a special ability to repulse snakes.

Marigolds might look beautiful, but they contain alpha-terthienyl, a chemical that snakes hate. The flower and its roots are high in this substance. Therefore if you plant a lot of these flowers, you have a natural way to send snakes slithering out of your yard.

Final Notes On How To Keep Snakes Out Of Your Yard

If you are worried about snakes slithering into your yard, you should know there are several ways to keep these reptiles away. You can install a snake fence, which goes underneath the ground and is highly effective at keeping snakes out. 

There are also several plants that help keep snakes away. Any poking or sharp plants like cactus, or mother-in-law’s tongue work well, as do plants with allium like onions and garlic. Do your best to remove the snakes’ food source, and keep your landscaping tidy.

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