Keeping snakes out of your yard doesn’t have to be complicated if you take a few smart steps to make your outdoor space less inviting. First and foremost, you need to cut off their food supply. Snakes are attracted to yards with easy access to meals like mice, rats, discarded birdseed, and fallen fruit.
To prevent this, make sure your compost bin is tightly sealed so it doesn’t attract rodents, and if you use bird feeders, place them along the outer edges of your yard, keeping them as far from your home as possible. Another simple yet highly effective trick is planting lemongrass around your garden. Snakes absolutely hate the strong citrus scent that lemongrass gives off, and as a bonus, mosquitoes dislike it too, which helps keep two unwanted guests away with one plant.
In addition to planting lemongrass, you can also use a homemade citrus solution as a natural snake deterrent. To make it, place lemon or orange peels in a jar of water and let it sit for about 24 hours. Then, spray this citrus-infused water around your patio furniture, deck, and porch stairs to create a barrier that snakes will want to avoid. Keeping your yard clean and tidy is another critical step you shouldn’t overlook. If you let weeds, tall grass, piles of sticks, or other debris accumulate, you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for snakes by giving them plenty of places to hide.
A well-maintained, clutter-free yard leaves them exposed and makes it less likely they’ll stick around. It’s also essential to make sure your home itself is properly sealed. You don’t just want to keep snakes out of your yard—you definitely don’t want them sneaking into your house. Carefully inspect your foundation, doors, windows, and window screens for any cracks or holes, and seal them up as needed to eliminate easy entry points. If you want a more natural way to repel snakes without using harmful chemicals, you can whip up your own DIY snake repellent.
Just mix equal parts cinnamon oil and clove oil, pour it into a spray bottle, and then spray it around your home’s perimeter, deck, garden beds, and anywhere else you think snakes might be lurking. The strong scent will drive them away while keeping your pets, plants, and family safe. Another tool you can use is mothballs, which are known for deterring both insects and snakes. You can place mothballs around your foundation and back porch to help keep snakes at bay. However, it’s extremely important to remember that mothballs are highly toxic to both children and pets, so only use them in areas that are completely out of reach. Finally, if you find that snakes continue to be a problem even after following all of these steps, you can consider using humane snake traps. These traps allow you to capture snakes without harming them, and once caught, you can release them in a wooded area far away from your home. Relocating snakes this way not only solves your immediate problem but also respects wildlife and helps maintain the natural balance. Keeping snakes away from your yard isn’t about taking extreme measures—it’s about being proactive and creating an environment that’s less appealing to them. With some effort to control food sources, strategic planting, regular yard maintenance, and a few smart deterrents, you can enjoy your backyard without worrying about unwanted slithering visitors making themselves at home.
