What Animals Keep Snakes Away
Snakes around your home can be hard to deal with but there are natural snake repellent ideas you can use to get rid of them if you so desire.
I grew up playing with snakes. Garter (Garden) snakes, Black snakes, and later, Indigo snakes. I was never afraid of them unless they startled me.
Here in North Carolina, it’s a different story. We have a lot of Black snakes, but also poisonous Copperheads, Cottonmouths, Timber Rattlesnakes, Pygmy Rattlesnakes, and more. Snakes can be beneficial, but sometimes dangerous.
Snake Repellent: What Works And What Doesn't
It may not seem like snakes would be beneficial, but they can help keep rodent populations down. A single small snake can eat 3-4 mice at a time, and larger ones can go after rats. They also eat moles, voles, insects and some can even go after fish. In other areas of the country, snakes will eat animals like rabbits, nutria, and other rodents that may be destructive to homes and crops.
One of the most common snake repellents you’ll find is naphthalene. It is found in products like Snake-A-Way. You can go a much cheaper route and use mothballs, as this is the main component in them. Just know that mothballs are not natural. I toss a few under the porch to keep the snakes from hanging out under there. Be aware that the scent of naphthalene is very pungent and can linger for weeks and even months.
It’s not known exactly how lemongrass repels snakes, but it does. Plant some around the perimeter of your home or garage as a snake repellent. Lemongrass bunches can get really large, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it.
Protecting Your Campsite
Like lemongrass, wormwood (from the genus Artemisia) can help keep snakes away. Keep an eye on this plant too, as it can spread rapidly.
Snakes will sometimes try to get into chicken coops for the eggs. Chickens, as well as guinea hens and turkeys, will attack and kill snakes that get into the coop. Pigs will attack snakes too.
Snakes will try to get into birdhouses for the eggs too. They seem to like bluebird houses the best, maybe because they’re on a post. I plant rose bushes at the bottom of the post and wind the stems around the post. And they make for a great snake repellent. No more snakes in the bluebird house!
No, Mothballs Should Not Be Used Outdoors To Deter Snakes, Squirrels, Or Other Animals!
Cinnamon, clove, and cedarwood essential oils will all repel snakes. (Find them all here.) It’s thought that snakes think the oils will melt the scales, so they stay away from them. True or not, they work to keep snakes at bay.
Any holes, no matter how small, can be an invitation for a snake into your home. Plug holes using foaming sealant or tiny mesh hardware cloth or screening. Remember, having holes is a snake invitation. Plugging holes is snake repellent!
Anything near structures, like mulch, shrubs, woodpiles, etc., may harbor snakes or their food sources. Clearing debris from around homes and sheds can help prevent snakes from entering the house or garage.
Will Cats Keep Snakes Away? Facts, Dangers & Prevention Tips
Like many creatures, snakes dislike garlic. Make a spray by chopping garlic cloves and adding to oil. (Any oil will work.) Infuse the garlic in the oil for a few weeks, they strain. Transfer the oil to a spray bottle and spray around areas where snakes are known to hide.
Similar to essential oils, sulfur is offensive to snakes and will discourage them from entering areas where it is used. It is also the other active ingredient in Snake-A-Way.
When all else fails, you may need to relocate snakes. A few years ago I had some snakes get tangled in some bird netting I used to protect my chickens. It was four black snakes and took a while to get them out without hurting them. Surprisingly, none of them tried to bite us while we worked to free them. We put them into a pillowcase and relocated them to a spot across the river where we lived. We never saw them again. Just make sure that you are careful in the process.
Why Are Snakes On My Property?
Debra is a master gardener, a certified herbalist, a natural living instructor, and more. She taught Matt and Betsy how to make soap so they decided to bring her on as a staff writer! Debra recently started an organic herb farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina. You can even purchase her handmade products on Amazon!
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DISCLAIMER: Information on DIY Natural™ is not reviewed or endorsed by the FDA and is NOT intended to be substituted for the advice of your health care professional. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure statements here.Yes, many animal species in the wild catch and kill snakes. Some of these species can even be trained in the art of snake extermination! Animal types that hunt and kill snakes include many species of raptors - eagles and hawks, honey badgers, and of course the notorious mongoose. King Snakes eat only other snakes. And believe it or not, common house cats and dogs catch and kill snakes too. Some species of dogs can be trained to catch and kill snakes.
Keep The Snakes Away With Natural Snake Repellents
What animals keep snakes away - First of all, no common house pet will keep snakes away without special training, and even then, you put the animal at great risk. Cats and dogs may do a decent amount of snake hunting, but they will not actively patrol your property just for snakes. You will have to take into account, too, the fact that any house pet exposed to snakes will also be prone to bite injuries. If you live in an area with venomous snakes, this can be disastrous. Pigs have been known to kill snakes, but again, these animals are not hunting the snakes, rather they are reacting instinctively and stomping the serpents when the opportunity presents itself. The mongoose is a pet that does have special attributes specifically for snake hunting and killing. These weasel-like animals eat snakes, and have special genetic attributes that make them immune to venom. The mongoose is very agile and has a thick coat, making it a perfect combatant for snake wars. The downside to the mongoose is that it’s importation to countries where it is not native is strictly regulated. The diet of the mongoose makes it a habitat destroyer when it is introduced into new environments. The urine of a mongoose can be used to repel snakes with some efficacy, but this is also not available to the public.
Read the story of what happened when I brought a snake into the house, and it encountered my fluffy white pet kitten: house cat vs snake, with photos.
Why do snakes get scared of mongoose - It’s not necessarily that snakes become frightened when they smell a mongoose as much as they become wary. The mongoose is a fantastic little animal, resembling a stocky weasel and acting with prairie dog-like communication skills. It is naturally immune to snake venom and hunts serpents as a main food source. Mongoose urine has been used to repel snakes with moderate results, though the product is not available to the American public. Many countries in Europe and Asia keep mongoose as pets for the purpose of warding against snakes. Due to the little animal’s tendency to eat other creatures, its importation into other countries has been regulated. Some areas have experienced significant ecosystem damage from non-native mongoose population. Even a mongoose will not keep all snakes away all the time. Just like with an predator, the snake will acknowledge the mongoose scent, but unless it sees on, it may just proceed forward with caution.
The Spicy Plant You'll Want To Grow To Prevent Snakes From Slithering In Your Garden
Many people are aware by now that the Honey Badger of Africa is a notorious snake hunter, and that it is relatively immune to snake venom. They can even hunt and kill cobras. Click here for photos of Honey Badgers hunting and killing snakes.
What dog keeps snakes away - There are no dogs that are born with an insatiable desire to hunt and kill snakes, largely because snakes are not a part of the canine diet. There are certain breeds with stronger hunting instincts than other, like the Rat Terrier or the Airedale. These dogs will be more inclined to chase and kill a small, moving animal, but they will not patrol your property specifically looking for snakes. Keep in mind that any dog will be subject to the bite wounds that come from tangling with snakes around the yard. Animals are just as prone to infection as humans, and a dog with multiple puncture wounds will need frequent veterinary visits. The cost of this constant care will quickly outweigh any benefit the canine has as a rattlesnake hunter. Some dogs will even avoid snakes after being bitten. If you bought the dog strictly for snake hunting, that’s a touch pill to
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