April 22, 2025

How to Keep Snakes Away from Your Yard and House

Snakes are a vital part of the ecosystem, helping control pests like rodents and insects. However, that doesn’t mean you want them slithering through your yard or worse—finding their way into your home. Whether you live in a rural area or the suburbs, taking preventative measures can help keep snakes at bay. Here’s how to make your yard and home less inviting to these uninvited reptilian guests.

1. Keep Your Yard Tidy and Trimmed
Snakes love to hide. Overgrown grass, thick bushes, piles of leaves, or wood offer the perfect hiding spots. Keep your lawn well-mowed and bushes trimmed back from the house. Remove any clutter such as rock piles, wood stacks, or unused garden tools that might create a cozy shelter for a snake. If you do need a woodpile, stack it off the ground and away from the home.

2. Seal Entry Points Around the House
A snake can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps—some species can fit through holes as narrow as a pencil! Inspect your home for cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors or windows, or holes in your attic and basement. Seal them with caulk or use fine wire mesh for larger openings. Pay special attention to gaps around pipes, vents, and under doors.

3. Control Rodents and Insects
Snakes often come looking for food. If you’ve got mice, rats, or insects in or near your home, you're rolling out the red carpet for snakes. Use traps, hire pest control, or remove food sources like birdseed, pet food, and unsecured trash to cut off their food supply.

4. Limit Water Sources
Just like any animal, snakes need water. If you have leaky hoses, birdbaths, or standing puddles, you might be attracting more than just birds. Fix leaks and empty any containers where water may collect. If you have a pond or water feature, consider placing snake-proof fencing around it.

5. Use Snake-Repelling Plants and Scents
Some plants are believed to deter snakes, such as marigolds, lemongrass, and wormwood. Snakes also dislike certain strong smells. You can sprinkle natural repellents like sulfur, clove oil, cinnamon oil, or garlic spray around the perimeter of your yard. While not foolproof, these scents can discourage snakes from hanging around.

6. Install Snake Fencing
If you live in a snake-prone area, investing in snake-proof fencing might be worth it. This involves a fine mesh barrier buried a few inches into the ground and angled outward. Make sure it’s at least 3 feet high and check regularly for any damage or holes.

7. Keep Bird Feeders Away from the House
Birdseed often attracts rodents, and rodents attract snakes. If you enjoy feeding birds, place feeders away from the house and clean up any spilled seed promptly. This reduces the chances of drawing a food chain right to your doorstep.

8. Don’t Provide Shelter in Sheds and Garages
Snakes can make themselves at home in rarely-used areas like sheds, garages, and crawlspaces. Keep these areas clean, organized, and tightly sealed. Store items in sealed containers rather than cardboard boxes, and make sure doors close snugly.

9. Consider a Professional Snake Repellent or Exterminator
If you have a recurring snake problem or spot a venomous snake, it’s best to call a professional. Pest control experts can apply commercial-grade repellents, help with exclusion techniques, and safely remove any snakes already on your property.

10. Educate Yourself About Local Snake Species
Not all snakes are dangerous. Learning which species are common in your area and how to identify them can reduce panic and help you take appropriate action if you do see one. Some non-venomous snakes can even help keep venomous ones away, as they compete for the same food sources.

Keeping snakes away from your home and yard requires consistent effort and a good understanding of what attracts them. By maintaining a clean, clutter-free yard, sealing up your home, and removing food and water sources, you can significantly reduce the chances of a surprise encounter. And remember—if you're ever unsure or dealing with a potentially dangerous snake, call in the pros. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these slithering visitors.