How to Get Rid of Snakes

Unless you enjoy keeping one as a pet, few people want to share their home with a snake. Follow these practical tips for how to get rid of unwanted snakes.

Snakes usually enter the home through holes or cracks in the outer walls or foundations (although some can climb very well), so check your exterior walls carefully and plug any gaps. Use fine metal mesh to cover vent holes and crawl spaces, and fill other gaps with spray foam. Use door sweeps and weather stripping to seal off gaps under your doors.

Rodents and other small animals are a smorgasbord for snakes, so eliminate other pests to keep snakes away.

How to Get Rid of Snakes in the House

You can use glue-based traps, which are a humane way to get rid of snakes that have made it inside. You can release the snake away from your home, but check regulations about letting snakes go as they vary from state to state. Learn the ways snakes can enter your home and make sure you’ve got all the points covered.

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard

Banishing snakes from the backyard will also help to prevent them from sneaking into the house. Leave them nowhere to hide! Install a strong fine mesh fence at least two feet tall and buried several inches into the ground.

Clear clutter from your yard. The more stuff you have around the more hiding places for a sneaky snake. Keep tools and equipment stored safely away, too.

Prune your trees and shrubs so the ground is visible and there are no shady areas for snoozing snakes. Keep your grass short. Avoid wood or rock piles — snakes love to slink inside and hide in the cool. Locate ponds away from the house because some snakes are attracted to water.

Repellents like sulfur give off nasty smells to deter snakes. But they’re often washed away by rain, and harsh chemicals can harm kids and pets, so chemical repellents are best avoided.

Many snakes are harmless, but if you’re in any doubt about how to get rid of snakes, call in experts. They have the know-how to catch and remove them safely, leaving you to enjoy your home in peace.