How to Get Rid of Snakes: Effective Home and Yard Strategies
Clutter removal and gap sealing make outdoor spaces less inviting for unwelcome reptiles.
Snakes play a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling pests and maintaining a balanced food web, but few things unsettle homeowners more than encountering one in their house or yard. Whether you’re dealing with harmless garden snakes or more concerning species, knowing how to humanely remove, deter, and prevent them is essential for your peace of mind and safety. This guide offers expert-backed, practical advice on dealing with snake encounters, making your property less attractive to them, and dispelling common myths about coexisting safely with these misunderstood reptiles.
Why Do Snakes Come Into Yards and Homes?
Understanding what attracts snakes is the first step to keeping them away. Snakes are primarily drawn to environments that offer them shelter, food, water, and warmth. If your property harbors these essentials, you’re more likely to encounter them. Snakes enter houses or yards typically because:
- They are seeking shelter from predators or harsh weather
- The area provides a reliable food source (e.g., rodents, insects, bird eggs)
- There are accessible water sources (like leaky faucets or ponds)
- Yard clutter or untrimmed landscaping offers hiding spots
Homes with cracks, gaps, or poorly sealed doors and foundations are especially at risk. Snakes can slip through holes as small as one-eighth of an inch.
Is It Safe to Have Snakes Around?
Not all snakes are dangerous—most species you may see in your yard are non-venomous and beneficial. Many non-venomous snakes help control pests and rarely pose a threat to people. However, even non-venomous snakes can be unwelcome guests. If you’re unsure about a snake’s identity or if you spot a venomous species, it’s best to leave removal to professionals.
What to Do if You Find a Snake Inside Your House
Encountering a snake indoors can be alarming, but most snakes mean no harm. Follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Sudden movements can startle the snake and drive it into hiding or cause defensive behavior. Take deep breaths and move deliberately.
- Keep Your Distance: Stand at least several feet away to avoid startling the snake. Warn others in the house, especially children and pets, and keep them out of the area.
- Do Not Attempt to Handle Venomous Snakes: If the snake could be venomous, call local animal control or a qualified snake catcher immediately.
- Gently Guide Safe Species Outside: For non-venomous snakes, you can:
- Open a nearby door and use a broom to slowly guide the snake outdoors.
- For small or coiled snakes, carefully place an empty pail or wastebasket over them and weigh it down until professionals arrive.
- If you cannot capture or guide the snake, try to confine it to one room. Close doors and block gaps with towels.
- Wait for Professionals: If uncomfortable or unsure, enlist a licensed snake handler or animal control .
How to Inspect and Snake-Proof Your Property
Once you’ve dealt with a snake, it’s time to prevent future visits. Snake-proofing involves closing entry points and making the environment less inviting:
- Examine Foundations: Carefully inspect the exterior foundation for gaps, unsealed wire or pipe conduits, open vents, loose basement windows or doors, and cracks. Remember, snakes only need a very small opening .
- Look Up As Well as Down: Some snakes are able climbers and may find ways inside through overhanging tree limbs, brick or stone walls, or chimneys. Inspect the eaves, roofs, and outdoor staircases for possible entry points.
- Seal All Openings: Use caulk, cement, weatherstripping, or steel mesh to seal holes and cracks, except for the suspected main entrance.
- Install a One-Way Snake Door: Over the last remaining entrance, install a one-way door made from rolled aluminum window screen—a 10-inch cylinder slightly wider than the hole. Insert it in such a way that a snake can exit, but not re-enter. Leave in place a month, especially if installed in fall, to ensure all snakes are gone before permanently sealing the hole.
Checklist: Snake-Proofing Your Home
- Seal gaps around doors, basement windows, and ground-level vents
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping to prevent drafts (and snake entry)
- Trim branches and shrubs away from the house to eliminate climbing routes
- Repair or install screens on vents and chimney caps
- Monitor regularly for new gaps, especially after severe weather
Managing Your Yard to Deter Snakes
Outside the home, prevention centers on making your property less attractive to both snakes and their prey. Focus on:
- Eliminating Hiding Places: Remove piles of wood, rocks, leaves, or other debris. Keep the lawn mowed and clear excessive ground cover.
- Yard Maintenance: Regularly trim shrubs and bushes. Avoid thick, low vegetation against building foundations.
- Seal Gaps in Sheds and Outbuildings: Ensure structures don’t have space under floors or steps where snakes may hide or nest.
- Reduce Food Attractants: Secure trash and compost bins, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors—these can draw rodents, which in turn attract snakes.
- Eliminate Water Sources: Fix leaky hoses, faucets, or irrigation, and limit puddles that might draw both snakes and prey.
What others are reading
Table: Common Snake Attractants and Solutions
| Attractant | How to Eliminate |
|---|---|
| Untrimmed grass/weeds | Mow lawn, trim edges regularly |
| Rock piles/debris | Clear or relocate away from main property |
| Accessible food waste or pet food | Store indoors/in secure containers |
| Unsealed gaps and cracks in buildings | Seal with caulk, wire mesh, or weatherstripping |
Snake Repellents: What Works?
Many commercial and DIY snake repellents are marketed, but effectiveness varies:
- Chemical repellents: Some contain sulfur, naphthalene (mothballs), or other substances. Evidence for their effectiveness is limited, and improper use may endanger pets or wildlife.
- Natural repellents: Clove oil, cinnamon oil, and certain plant extracts can irritate snakes but are rarely reliable for full prevention.
- Physical barriers: The most effective deterrents involve exclusion methods—proper sealing, fencing, and habitat modification.
Avoid placing faith in ultrasonics, vibrations, or home remedies with scant scientific support.
What To Do—And Not Do—When Removing Snakes
- Do stay calm, keep your distance, isolate the snake, and call a professional if in doubt.
- Do repair your home and yard after any snake sightings to prevent a recurrence.
- Do not attempt to handle or kill snakes yourself, especially if the species is unknown or venomous.
- Do not use sticky traps or poisons—these are inhumane and may cause greater issues with pets or protected wildlife.
When to Call a Professional
If you suspect the snake is venomous, cannot confirm the species, or simply feel uncomfortable, don’t attempt removal on your own. Licensed snake catchers and animal control professionals are trained to safely identify, capture, and relocate snakes—complying with wildlife and animal safety regulations.
Keep the contact details for regional wildlife or pest control handy before an emergency arises. When a professional arrives, describe the snake’s appearance and behavior to help them assess the species and risks.
Are Snakes Protected? Legal & Humane Considerations
Many regions have laws protecting native snakes. In some areas, it is illegal to kill or relocate non-venomous snakes without a license. Handling venomous snakes without expertise can also pose legal risk, and harming snakes often disrupts local ecosystems. Always favor relocation and prevention over lethal measures.
Quick Reference: Steps for Snake-Proofing and Removal
- Stay calm; alert household members and keep pets safe.
- Identify (if safe) the snake; take photos from a safe distance for expert ID.
- Close doors or create barriers to confine the snake to one area.
- Call a professional (snake catcher, animal control, or wildlife rehabber).
- After removal, inspect your home and yard for entry points or attractants and address them.
- Monitor for future activity and keep up regular maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are all snakes dangerous or venomous?
No. The vast majority of snakes found in residential areas are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Venomous species vary by region; learn about those in your locale and always treat unknown snakes with caution.
Q: Can snakes climb walls, or get upstairs?
Yes, some species are excellent climbers. They may use rough surfaces, brickwork, or overhanging vegetation to reach surprising heights or open windows. Keep foliage trimmed and screens intact to block access points.
Q: Will having pets keep snakes away?
Not reliably. Cats and dogs may chase snakes, but some species could be at risk if bitten, and the presence of pet food outdoors can actually attract snakes by drawing rodents.
Q: Do mothballs repel snakes?
Mothballs, which contain naphthalene, are commonly touted as snake repellents but are largely ineffective and pose a risk to children, pets, and the environment. Instead, focus on habitat and exclusion methods for real results.
Q: Are snakes active year-round?
Snake activity peaks in warmer months (spring through early fall), especially after rains, and tapers off in winter as snakes enter brumation (a type of hibernation). However, some may remain active in mild climates or indoor environments.
Key Takeaways
- Snakes enter homes and yards in search of food, shelter, and warmth—addressing these factors helps prevent them.
- Always use humane, legal, and safe methods—avoid DIY capture unless certain the snake is non-venomous.
- Professional removal is best for venomous or unidentified snakes.
- Snake-proofing and regular yard maintenance are the most effective long-term solutions.
- Myths abound; rely on expert sources for advice.
Resources for Further Help
- Local animal control or licensed snake catchers
- Wildlife rehabilitation organizations
- Regional cooperative extension services (for species identification and prevention advice)
Conclusion
Snakes are a natural and usually beneficial part of local ecosystems, but there are sensible, humane ways to keep them from making themselves too much at home on your property. By learning what attracts them, fortifying your home and yard, and seeking professional removal when needed, you can enjoy peace of mind and a safe environment for your family and pets.
References
- https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/what-do-about-snakes
- https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/our-department/news-media/down-to-earth/how-to-remove-possum-or-snake-from-house
- https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10302890
- https://www.callnorthwest.com/tag/snake-removal/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10871209.2024.2429431?af=R
- https://wildaboututah.org/living-in-snake-country/
- https://www.upr.org/science/2019-07-05/living-in-snake-country-six-things-to-consider-on-wild-about-utah
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