Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/keep-snakes-away-from-your-home/

We’re in the middle of January right now, but in a few months, we’ll be looking towards the warmer days of spring and summer. While everyone loves a nice sunny stretch after such a cold and bleak winter, warmer weather does mean the return of certain household pests.

Snakes are more active during spring and summer when the weather is more likely to hit between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They will typically be seen during the early morning and late afternoon. In the height of summer, they might be less common as it is too hot for them, but there’ll be a resurgence of snake activity during the late summer and early fall time prior to their hibernation period known as brumation.

They don’t necessarily sleep during this period, but rather a slow way down in their activity as their bodies adjust to the cold that their metabolisms go down and they’re much less active. Essentially, it’s like they’re being super lazy. Brumation is more likely to occur in the southern states where the climate is a bit warmer and there isn’t much likelihood of snow. While these snakes might be not as active as normal, on the occasional warm winter day, they might be found basking in the sun…much to the surprise of unsuspecting homeowners.

Normally, when this happens, people want a solution to keep these scaly creatures as far away from the home as possible. Some will turn to home remedies, as they’re quick and easy to make, the ingredients are easy to source and relatively affordable, and for the most part, they’re non-toxic to humans and pets.

Below are some tips and tricks to naturally keep snakes away:

Eliminate Potential Food Sources

If you have a rodent problem, chances are, snakes are nearby as rodents are their primary food source. Snakes are also known to nosh on other animals such as frogs, birds, moles, voles, insects, and sometimes even fish. If you have a population problem with any of the animals that snakes normally eat, you might be able to cure two problems at once. By eliminating your pest issue, you could eliminate snakes as well, since they’ll usually move on and follow the food source.

Eliminate Hiding Places

Snakes love hanging out in dark, damp places. In the home environment, this means that they will seek out cracks, crevices, and holes. By carefully checking the exterior of your house and making sure that you repair all cracks and holes, you will help to rid your property of potential snake real estate. Also, don’t forget to carefully inspect for damaged gutters, piping, or ventilation ducts, as well as damaged window screens or door screens. Snakes are also known to hang out inside woodpiles and compost bins, so if possible, store firewood inside of sealed and lockable wood boxes. Also, be sure to rid your property of any piles of wood chips, mulch, straw mulch, leaves, etc., as this is just too tempting an offer for snakes to take up residence.

Pay Attention Your Landscaping

In order to make your garden less snake-friendly, consider the installation of snake-proof fencing made of steel mesh, plastic sheeting, or catch net. Be sure that it is flush with the ground, angled outward, and at a minimum 3 feet high and 4 feet deep – that way, the snake can’t slither under or over your fencing. Also, you can make your ground that bit more unappealing to a snake by using materials such as holly leaves, pine cones, eggshells, and gravel – all of which are unpleasant for a snake to slither over. You can also plant flora that snakes tend to not like such as marigolds, lemongrass, and wormwood.

Bring in Natural Predators

Snakes have some natural predators such as foxes and raccoons. If either of these animals are native to your area, spreading their urine around your property can help deter snakes. Guinea hens, turkeys, pigs, and cats can also help to keep snakes away.

Smoke Them Out

Snakes actually have a very acute and sensitive olfactory system. They can be very sensitive to certain odors and scents. One which they particularly don’t like is the smell of smoke. Build a fire pit and let it smoke for several days. If you cover the embers with moss and leaves you’ll get the best possible effect.

Use the Smells They Hate

There are several natural products that work well to repel snakes as they don’t like the smells or they are irritating to snakes. These can include powdered sulfur, clove and cinnamon oils, garlic and onions, ammonia, lime, vinegar, and Naphthalene, which is commonly found in mothballs. Of course, if you have pets or small children in your home, you might want to be wary of Naphthalene as it can be toxic and fatal if ingested.

Of course, if the problem persists and none of your home remedies seem to work, you will have to potentially call a wildlife control service to remove the problem or come up with an extermination solution.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog