Snakes are one of the most feared pests in the world. They can be sneakily agile and usually come out of nowhere. To make matters worse, they often find their way into your home and start living there. This can be especially troublesome if you have kids or pets. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to identify and prevent snakes from entering your home.
In this blog, we discuss how to identify possible snake entry points in your home, natural ways to deter snakes from entering, what attracts snakes and how to avoid attracting them, what to do when you see a snake inside your home, tips for finding a reputable snake relocation company, common household items you can use to remove snakes, exterminating snakes within your home safely: pros & cons, DIY tips for sealing up potential snake entry points, herbal repellents that may help keep snakes away and how to keep other animals away from your home to avoid attracting snakes.
Identifying and preventing snakes from entering your home is key to protecting yourself and your family. You can enjoy a safe and worry-free living environment by identifying potential snake entry points in your house and taking steps to deter them from entering. You can also consider professional help if you need assistance safely removing the snake or finding a reputable service for relocation purposes. This blog article will introduce all the steps you need to take to prevent snakes from entering your home.
Table of Contents
How to Identify Possible Snake Entry Points in Your Home
As snakes are known to be excellent climbers and may enter homes through small openings, it is important to identify potential entry points in your home that can allow snakes access to your home. Below are some tips to help you identify the possible entry points to protect yourself and your family:
- Check all windows and doors. Make sure all windows and doors are closed and sealed properly.
- Look for holes in the foundation. Snakes can easily access a house through any holes or cracks in the foundation, siding, or roofline.
- Inspect the siding for gaps or holes. Look for gaps or holes in the siding that may provide easy access for snakes.
- Check vents for gaps or holes. Make sure that any vents have a secure screening and no gaps around them.
- Look for openings along the roofline. Snakes can enter through any opening along the roofline, including gaps around chimneys, air vents, or windows that don’t fit tightly in their frames.
- Inspect gardens and bushes for hiding places. Ensure all gardens and bushes are cut back and away from the house to prevent snakes from hiding there.
- Seal any small openings around pipes or utility lines. Any small opening near a pipe or utility line can provide an entry point for snakes, therefore, make sure to seal them up properly.
Natural Ways to Deter Snakes from Entering Your Home
Snakes may be an unavoidable part of life in certain parts of the world, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take all the necessary steps to keep them away from your home. Fortunately, you can use several natural methods to deter and keep snakes away. Here are some of the most effective natural ways to deter snakes from entering your home:
- Clear Away Clutter and Debris: Snakes like to hide in tall grass and other debris, so keeping your yard free of clutter and long grass is a great way to make it less attractive to them.
- Keep Plants and Flowers Away from the House: Snakes love to nestle among plants and flower beds near the foundation of your house, so keeping them away can help keep the snakes away too.
- Plant Repellent Herbs: Planting certain herbs such as marigolds, garlic, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and mint can help deter snakes from entering your home.
- Build a Fence: Installing a fence around your property can help deter snakes from entering your yard and your house. Make sure that the fence is at least 3 feet tall and has a lid or something else that will prevent it from getting over.
- Use Natural Insecticides: Spraying natural insecticides around the perimeter of your house, such as boric acid, can help repel snakes as they don’t like the smell.
- Change Your Lighting: If you have bright lights around your home, switch them out for yellow or orange lights, as these are less attractive to snakes.
- Seal Cracks and Openings: Snakes can enter your home through any small openings or cracks in walls or foundations, so inspect your property and seal any openings you may find.
Following these natural methods can help keep snakes away from your home and remain snake-free!
What Attracts Snakes and How to Avoid Attracting Them
Snakes are an integral part of most ecosystems. They help regulate the population of small animals and insects and act as an important food source for larger animals. However, snakes can be a nuisance when they enter our homes or yards and potentially harm our pets and children. Knowing what attracts snakes and how to avoid them can help keep them away from your property.
What Attracts Snakes:
- Dark, damp, or cool places – Snakes like to hide in dark places that offer protection from the elements, such as piles of wood or leaves, fallen logs, and rock crevices.
- Unkempt yards – Tall grass, shrubbery, and debris piles provide ideal snake hiding spots.
- Rodent activity – Snakes are attracted to areas with abundant food sources, such as mice, rats, and other small animals.
- Open sources of water – Swimming pools, birdbaths, and other water sources can attract snakes seeking a drink.
How to Avoid Attracting Snakes:
- Trim grass and weeds regularly – Maintaining your yard by regularly trimming grass and weeds will reduce the chances of snakes taking refuge in them.
- Store firewood away from the house – Storing piles of firewood away will discourage snakes from entering your home.
- Remove sources of standing water – Removing sources of standing water, such as birdbaths and swimming pools, can help prevent snakes from entering your yard.
- Seal entryways – Weather stripping and caulk to seal around windows and doors can help keep snakes out.
What to Do When You See a Snake in Your Home
If you see a snake in your home, you must act quickly but remain calm. Snakes are often harmless, but some can be dangerous so it is important to be aware of what kind of snake it is.
If possible, safely block the snake off in one room and close any doors and windows to prevent it from escaping. If the snake is not in an area that can be easily blocked, try to keep your distance and slowly move away until you can find an enclosed space.
Do not attempt to handle the snake yourself – even if it is a non-venomous species. Instead, call a professional wildlife removal service or your local animal control office to come and safely capture and remove the snake.
Once the snake has been removed, make sure to inspect your home and make repairs where necessary thoroughly. Snakes like to hide in small spaces, so look for cracks or openings throughout your home and seal them up to prevent the snake from entering again.
Reducing possible attractions for snakes, such as eliminating food sources like pet food, rodents, and insects, is also important. Trimming back tall grasses and weeds near your home can also help keep snakes away from your home.
Finally, it is also a good idea to talk to your neighbors about snakes in the area so that you can all be on the lookout for any potential sightings. By working together, you can help ensure that everyone stays safe from snake encounters!
Tips for Finding a Reputable Snake Relocation Company
When you find yourself in the situation of having to move a snake to a new home, it’s important to take the time to find a reputable snake relocation service or company that can take care of the job. Here are a few tips for finding a snake relocation company you can trust:
- Word of Mouth: Ask for referrals from friends, family, and trusted reptile enthusiasts.
- Check their Credentials: Look for a credible, licensed, insured snake removal or relocation company. If possible, check with your local Better Business Bureau for any customer reviews.
- Ask Questions: Ask questions about the company’s services, experience, and rates before committing to them.
- Call for an Estimate: Get an estimate in writing before agreeing to hire the company.
- Compare Services: Compare companies in your area that offer similar services so you get the best value.
Introducing a snake into your home can be challenging, but finding a trustworthy and reliable snake relocation service should not be. Researching and asking the right questions will help ensure that you choose the right company. As long as you take the time to find a reputable company that caters to your needs, your snake will be in safe hands during its relocation journey.
Common Household Items You Can Use to Remove Snakes Safely
Snakes can be unnerving, especially if you have kids or pets. While some people may choose to call an expert to remove the snake, there are also some common household items you can use to remove snakes from your property safely.
Here are some common items you can use:
- Broom: Using a broom can help create a barrier between you and the snake and can help sweep it out of the area.
- Cardboard Box: If the snake is in an enclosed space, you can use a cardboard box to trap it. Cover the box with something while sliding it over the snake so it cannot escape.
- Plastic Container: A plastic container with a lid can be used similarly to a cardboard box. Cover the container with something so that the snake cannot escape before putting it over the snake.
- Garden Hose: You can also use a garden hose to push or spray the snake away from you as long as you remain safe.
- Towel: Another tactic is to throw a towel over the snake from a safe distance and then gently pick up one corner of the towel with a stick or broom handle. This will help you move the snake away from your property without touching it directly.
Exterminating Snakes Within Your Home: Pros & Cons
Exterminating snakes within your home can be beneficial and detrimental, depending on the situation. On the one hand, it can alleviate fear and anxiety associated with snakes; on the other hand, it might remove wildlife that plays an important role in your local ecosystem. Here are some pros and cons of exterminating snakes within your home:
Pros:
- You can feel more comfortable in your home without the fear of snakes.
- Knowing that your family and pets are safe from a potential snake bite, you may achieve peace of mind.
- Depending on the snake’s size and where it is hiding, you may save money on repairs from any damage caused by its presence.
Cons:
- Pest control measures for exterminating snakes can be expensive, especially if there is more than one snake in your home.
- Depending on your location, exterminating snakes might be against local laws.
- Exterminating snakes could eliminate some valuable wildlife that helps keep pests under control and maintain a healthy ecosystem in your area.
DIY Tips for Sealing Up Potential Snake Entry Points
Snakes are often considered a nuisance or, in some cases, even a scare. While the truth is that snakes can be beneficial to the local ecosystem, they certainly don’t belong on your property. To help keep snakes away, it’s important to properly and securely seal up any potential entry points they may use. Here are some DIY tips for sealing up potential snake entry points:
- Check around doors and windows for cracks or gaps that could provide an opening for a snake to crawl through. Make sure to caulk or weatherstrip any openings you find.
- Look around the base of your home for any cracks or openings in the foundation or siding. Depending on the material of your home’s exterior, you may need to use concrete caulk or mortar to seal any entry points properly.
- Look at home vents, including air conditioning, dryer, and bathroom. If necessary, you can use hardware cloth and masonry screws to cover up any large openings in these vents.
- Check pipes and conduits that lead into or out of your home. If possible, use steel wool, or silicone-based caulks to fill any holes or cracks that may be present.
- Inspect areas around outdoor lights, mailboxes, and other outdoor structures – snakes may be attracted to the warmth these items give off. Seal up any potential openings using caulk or weatherstripping.
By inspecting different areas around your home and properly sealing up potential entry points, you can reduce the risk of snakes entering your property and make your home an undesirable place for them to stay.
Herbal Repellents that May Help Keep Snakes Away
Herbal repellents may be a great way to help keep snakes away from your yard and home. Many natural ingredients can be used to create a repellent that effectively prevents snakes without harming them. Some of the more commonly used herbal repellents include:
- Garlic: Garlic can be used to help ward off snakes due to its pungent smell. The belief is that the smell will deter snakes from coming near the area where the garlic is present. Garlic can be crushed or chopped up into small pieces and sprinkled around the perimeter of an area where snakes may be active.
- Cayenne Pepper: The active ingredient in cayenne pepper, capsaicin, has an intense smell and taste that snakes do not like. Sprinkling cayenne pepper in an area of possible snake activity has been known to repel the slithery creatures.
- Cinnamon: The strong aroma of cinnamon deter snakes from entering an area where it is present. Ground cinnamon can be mixed with water to make a spray that can be used to help keep snakes away from homes and yards.
- Lemongrass: Lemongrass has a citrus scent that can also be used as a snake deterrent. Lemongrass oil or leaves can be spread around areas where snake activity could occur, such as doorways, windows, and other entry points into homes.
- Pine Needles: Snakes do not like the smell of pine needles, so spreading them around an area can help keep them away. Pine needles can also be mixed with other oils for added potency.
Herbal repellents effectively avoid snakes and can be a safe and natural alternative to chemical-based products. These herbal ingredients can help keep yourself and the environment safe while enjoying the outdoors without fear of snakes.
How to Keep Other Animals Away From Your Home to Avoid Attracting Snakes
Snakes can be an intimidating pest to have around your home, but luckily there are steps you can take to prevent them from taking up residence on your property. Here are a few tips on how to keep other animals away from your home to avoid attracting snakes:
- Keep food sources contained and away from the perimeter of your home. Snakes can be drawn to homes by the potential food sources they may find there, such as pet food, trash, and unsecured fruit trees or vegetable gardens.
- Control rodent populations. Mice and rats are a major food source for snakes, so controlling these species’ populations can help reduce the number of snakes that may be attracted to your home.
- Ensure that tight seals are maintained around doors and windows. Snakes may slither through small openings to gain entrance into your home due to their slimy bodies.
- Avoid keeping crawl spaces and basements open and unsecured. These areas can be prime locations for snakes looking for hiding spots within your home.
- Secure compost piles and other yard areas where snakes may find shelter or an easy meal.
- Trim trees and bushes that are close to your house. This will eliminate potential hiding spots for snakes near your home’s perimeter.
Step-by-step on How to Get Snakes Out of Your House
Getting a snake in your home can be a terrifying experience. Fortunately, most snakes found in the house are non-poisonous and harmless. While they may not pose a threat, they can still be disturbing and difficult to deal with. As such, learning how to remove snakes from your house safely is an important skill for any homeowner. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get snakes out of your house:
- Locate the snake: If you know where it is hiding, carefully approach it and identify it. This will be important when determining how to approach the situation.
- Determine the level of danger: If the snake is venomous, do not attempt to handle it yourself under any circumstances; contact professional help immediately. If the snake is non-venomous, you can move forward with the rest of this guide.
- Gently corral it: Use a broom or similar object to gently nudge the snake into a large container with a lid. As long as you handle it carefully, you should be able to capture it without doing any harm.
- Securely transport: Place the lid securely on the container and then cover it with a sheet or large cloth before carrying it outside, away from home.
- Release it: Open the container away from your home and allow the snake to slither away in its own time. Make sure that there are no hazards nearby that could harm it.
Following this process will help ensure that both you and the snake can stay safe and ensure that it leaves your property as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Snakes can be a nuisance to have in your home. They can be dangerous and can cause a lot of stress for you and your family. However, with the right knowledge and tools, it is possible to remove snakes from your home safely and effectively.
The first step in removing snakes from your home is identifying what type of snake has infiltrated your space. Once you know the snake species, you can determine the best action to remove it. You may need to call animal control or use a snake trap to capture the snake safely. Once captured, you must release the snake into an appropriate area far away from people and pets.
Finally, while trying to get rid of snakes from your home, it is important to take proactive steps to ensure they do not return. This could include sealing up any potential entry points, such as cracks and holes in your walls or foundation. Additionally, you should remove any clutter that might attract the snakes, such as wood piles or other hiding spots. These steps can help ensure the snake does not return and keep your home safe from future infiltrations.