How to Chase Snakes

Snakes have many surprising benefits to the ecosystem. They control the numbers of many pests, including mice, hamsters, cockroaches and other insects. However, many snakes are venomous, and some can be dangerous to humans and pets. So, depending on the area, you may need to keep snakes out of your yard. In addition, you also need to pay attention to repelling snakes when hiking or picnicking.

Table of Contents

Prevent snakes from approaching the house

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Clean up the garden to make it clear. Snakes are ambush predators, meaning they have a habit of hiding and suddenly attacking their prey. Yard clutter is certainly an attractive proposition for snakes, as that’s where they find ideal hiding places. Heaps of leaves, compost, straw, wood chips, firewood and grass clippings are all comfortable places for snakes, and should be removed from your yard. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Instead of spreading wood chips, you should consider using crushed stone, as this material is not very pleasant to snakes. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Avoid planting low-growing plants. Bushes and some other plants are also perfect hiding places for snakes similar to clumps. Mowing the lawn regularly is an effective way to prevent snakes from crawling around the yard. Bushes and densely wooded gardens will attract snakes.

If you’re concerned about snake trouble, remove or thin out the plants in your garden. If you want to keep these plants, you should consider planting them on the other side of your yard, away from the foundation. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Eliminate food sources. Snakes will only hang out in your yard if they can find food. Depending on the species of snake, things that cause trouble can be large insects like cockroaches or grasshoppers, or small animals like mice and rats. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Try setting traps or spraying repellents to keep these pests out of your home, so snakes won’t come in.

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Patch the holes. If you see snakes in your yard and are worried about how to keep them out of your home, your best bet is to find and repair holes in your foundation, garage or mesh doors. Thoroughly inspect these areas, and if you find any holes, no matter how small, you must patch them up immediately. Even the coin-sized holes are wide enough for some striped snakes to slip through.

In addition to providing an entrance to your home, holes or cracks in your foundation provide excellent hiding places for snakes. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Install anti-snake fence. The effectiveness of a snake fence can depend on the type of snakes in your area and how they move, but there are specialized fences that have been proven effective against a wide range of snakes. Anti-snake fences are usually made in 3 main styles: plastic panels, wire mesh or mesh fences. Whatever the construction, the fence must be deeply embedded in the ground and recline to prevent snakes from crawling under or climbing over the fence.

Fence enclosing the entire yard in this way may not be practical. Instead, you might consider fencing off certain areas where children or pets often hang out. ^{[6] X Research Source}
You should consider installing similar fences around any construction in the yard that is built high above the ground. This way the snake will not be able to hide underneath.

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Create a vibrating motion. ^{[7] X Source of Research} If you’ve ever seen snakes in your garden or yard and suspect there are some lurking around, run a lawn mower or tiller around the garden. The goal here is not to kill the snakes, but to scare them away. The vibrations generated by the machine are often enough to warn and scare off many snakes, especially the common striped snakes.

While it won’t get rid of snakes forever, if you need to do something in your garden this should be enough to keep them away for long enough to do the job.

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Trapping. If you suspect a snake has entered your home or fear that one is lurking somewhere before taking steps to stop them, you can place a mechanical or glue trap in your basement or garage. However, before setting up a trap, you should contact an animal control officer or wildlife authority to make sure it is safe and legal to do so.

Do not place glue traps outdoors. This type of trap is not humane and can harm other animals than just snakes. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Stay safe on the go

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Use a climbing stick when hiking. Hiking poles look a lot like ski poles, except that they are often adjustable to adapt to the terrain. With the stick, you can swing through tall grass and bushes along the way to scare away any snakes that might be hiding in them. When you are walking long distances, the stick stomping on the ground and knocking on the rocks will scare the snake away. They can sense vibrations in the ground and will usually leave when they sense you’re approaching. ^{[9] X Research Source}

If you can’t buy a climbing stick, you can also use a ski stick.

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Walk on a clear road and often pass by people. Snakes often hide under rocks, logs and in dense foliage. Cleared roads are less likely to attract snakes. Besides, if you choose trails that used to be used by many people, regular footsteps are enough to keep snakes away. Snakes don’t want to get close to humans, and if they know where humans often appear, they will avoid that place. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Walk carefully. Many snakes, such as rattlesnakes, have colors that blend into their surroundings. Watch the road as you go; You can detect and avoid encounter situations with snakes. Pay special attention when you have to pass rocks or fallen trees. Both are hiding places for many species of snakes. If you need to pass objects on the ground, you should step on top, then step down instead of just stepping over. Thus, you have the ability to look around to make sure there are no snakes lurking nearby. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Avoid lifting rocks or logs while on the trail. This action can stir up any snakes that might be hiding underneath and provoke them to attack.
If you need to hold on to something while hiking, such as a rock or tree surface, look carefully at where your hands are placed.

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Choose your picnic time carefully. Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t regulate their body temperature like humans. They must be exposed to the sun to warm their bodies and avoid the sun when they want to cool down. Therefore, snakes are often more active when the weather is warm. If you are really concerned about encountering snakes along the way, you should plan hiking during the cool weather of autumn and winter. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Advice

Although snake behavior is often similar, some snakes’ hiding places and food preferences differ slightly. Knowing the species of snakes in your area will help you focus on repelling snakes more effectively.
Spray kerosene around the house or yard to keep snakes away from home.

Warning

If you encounter a snake that is suspected to be venomous, do not attempt to capture or kill it yourself. Snakes can act extremely suddenly when being chased and attack much further than you think. Get in touch with the experts; they can handle the snake safely.
Avoid using chemicals that repel snakes. Not only are these chemicals often ineffective, but they can also be dangerous to children and other wildlife. ^{[13] X Research Source}
Do not use mothballs to repel snakes. Mothballs are a registered insecticide in the United States of America, so this product must be used according to the directions on the label. In the United States, use not as directed on the label is a violation of federal law. Not only do mothballs produce noxious gases, but they are also completely ineffective at repelling snakes. ^{[14] X National Pesticide Information Center Trusted Source Go to source}

Steps

Prevent snakes from approaching the house

Stay safe on the go

Advice

Warning

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