Getting Rid Of Snakes: A Few Tips

Getting Rid Of Snakes: A Few Tips

Snake tips

We get a lot of questions about snakes. Mostly, questions like? How can I keep them away?" Or, "How can I get rid of them?" The enmity between these slithering reptiles and man is ancient and nearly universal. Here are a few ideas on snake control:

Snake control products

Let me say right here and now, that most of the products on the market, those I have tried, are not really effective. In this case, as in almost every other case of pests and predators, the best solution is prevention, and it is the only solution that will continue to work.

There are products that some people swear by, mostly sulfur products, or mothballs, or some derivative. There are hundreds of concoctions available, but I have yet to find any that offer any substantial proof of their effectiveness. If I find any, I will let you know, and please feel free to offer suggestions or comments to the contrary in our comment section.

There is one interesting old trick that I think bares mention. Ceramic eggs. Ceramic eggs placed in strategic places will sometimes fool a snake into thinking that they are real eggs. If the egg is swallowed by a snake, he gets what may be, a fatal case of indigestion. This is a method once used by farmers who kept chickens for egg production.

Snake prevention

Snake prevention is like the prevention for any other critter. It involves exclusion, eliminating the food supply, and eliminating cover.

Exclusion

There is a possibility to practice exclusion with snakes. It would require the installation of a barrier of some type, like a very tight wire mesh fence, and even then, the fence would have to be made in such a way as to keep the snakes from climbing over.

Even if the mesh was small enough to prevent small snakes from slithering through, having any trees, vines, or shrubs that touch other trees, vines, and shrubs outside the fence, would allow snakes to make the trip, and slither down into your yard. Exclusion is a possibility, but it is a limited possibility, and it's success, would be based on the situation.

Eliminate cover

Cover provides a means of travel without detection, a food source, and living quarters

The best way to prevent snakes from entering your property, is not to allow them to have cover on your property. Rubble, brush, and woodpiles, can all be problems. Keeping the lawn mowed often and at a low enough level to make them visible when crossing it helps, because they don't want to be seen, and you want to be able to see them if they are present.

Eliminate food source

Getting rid of the cover will also eliminate the food source for snakes. Snakes follow their food, and mice and other things that snakes like to eat need cover for travel and for a place to live. Ground burrowing animals like moles and gophers are another source of food for snakes, so getting rid of them will also reduce the snake population.

Eliminate dwelling places

Cover also provides a dwelling place for snakes. Getting rid of as many sources as possible will limit the number of invaders. In this regard, let me say that snakes do not dig. Those holes in your yard are not snake holes, although snakes may temporarily use them, or occupy them. Such holes do indicate that another animal has been present, and sometimes, snakes will go in search of them, and use the holes and tunnels for shelter, and travel.

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