Snakes should be kept away from your property and home. Keeping your lawn tidy and avoiding certain decorations can help. Eliminating rodents and sealing foundation holes can help keep snakes out of your home. If you want to go the extra mile, you can use snake-repelling scents.
No one invests in literal snake oil. Many hardware store snake repellents are ineffective, experts say. There are natural options you may already have at home that could be effective. Learn which scents can repel snakes.
Sholom Rosenbloom, owner of Rosenbloom Pest Control, says snakes use their sense of smell to find food. "Use scents they dislike, like cinnamon and clove oil, to your advantage. These are the only snake-repelling scents recommended by APHIS."
"Vinegar repels snakes best. Most importantly, vinegar is acidic "ReptilesBlog.com's Jennifer Mecham is a snake expert. "Snakes avoid even slightly acidic substances. Pouring it on the ground can prevent slithering."
"Naphthalene—or the chemical in mothballs—has shown some repellent tendencies for snakes," Roger Dickens, a wildlife technical services manager with Ehrlich Pest Control, tells Best Life. "It does vaporize and dissipate very quickly, so regular reapplications are needed."
"One of the most commonly used snake-repelling scents is citrus," says Mecham. "Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits contain a chemical called limonene, which is a natural snake repellent. Just place a few slices of citrus fruit around your home, or even rub the peel on the outside of your door and windows."
"Snakes don't like garlic's smell," says Mecham. Few realise it's a natural insecticide that keeps them away."It kills all insects, including snake food," she says. This makes your property less attractive to snakes and reduces their food sources.
"Peppermint oil repels snakes. It masks their scents, making it hard for them to find prey "mecham "They dislike peppermint's strong, minty smell. It's a natural way to keep snakes away from your home, yard, garden, or campground."