Best snake repellents for yard and garden: Natural and chemical options that work

Snakes are fascinating creatures, but they can be terrifying. Some snake species are non-venomous and serve as pest controllers by eating mice or other insects. For most people, snakes are not welcome visitors in yards, gardens or near the home.

There are harmless snakes, such as garter snakes and columbia spotted frogs. Others, such as rattlesnakes or copperheads, might be deadly. The antihistamines present in the snake repellent also help on how to keep snakes away from house and gardens.

Growcycle offers snake repellents that help homeowners safely remove snakes. These approaches offer a more effective way to repel snakes while also trapping them and allowing for the more effective removal of both.

Understanding Snake Behavior and Ecology

Certain species of snakes prefer certain types of environments, and there are certain times of the year when they are more prone to be spotted. By understanding these patterns, homeowners can more effectively manage their property and minimize the risk of encountering a snake.

Habitat Preferences

Snakes prefer places where they live and hunt. They often choose areas with:

• Snakes love hiding under rocks, logs, tall grass, or piles of leaves. These can also protect them from the sun and predators.
• Most snakes are cold-blooded, so they require areas that are not overly hot. They like moist areas: wet dirt or areas by ponds, streams.
• The snake is primarily a small animal eater, such as mice, rats, and insects. Yards or gardens with a lot of rodents are more likely to attract snakes, since they come for the food.

Indeed, research conducted by the Utah State University Extension has shown that understanding these habitat preferences can help homeowners understand where snakes are most likely to show up in their yard.

Seasonal Activity Patterns

Snakes have seasonal activity patterns. It makes it easier to come out on warm spring and summer days when they need to eat to survive. Snakes hibernate or brumate (a similar state), like other reptiles during the cooler months of the year (autumn and winter).

There are a few reasons why snakes may invade gardens and yards:

• Spring: With warmer weather, snakes wake up from hibernation and begin searching for food and mates.
• Summer: In this season, as the temperature rises, snakes can relocate to any cooler place, such as gardens in shady areas or water bodies.
• Autumn: As the weather turns colder, snakes will look for somewhere to winter. It may find them nearer homes or gardens, looking for cover.

Homeowners must be extra vigilant during these active months and take steps to prevent snakes from entering their yards.

Species Variations

With so many species of snakes, their behaviors are not all the same. The two main categories are:

• Venomous Snakes: These snakes are fatal because their bites are very poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. They are generally more aggressive if they feel threatened and are more commonly found in warmer climates.
• Non-Venomous Snakes: These are safe and not harmful to humans. They can bite if they feel threatened, but their bites are generally harmless. Examples of these include garter snakes and rat snakes. They help control the rodent population.

Natural Snake Repellents (Plants & Oils)

Several natural repellents can be used safely and will keep snakes from coming into a yard and garden. Some plants, essential oils, and scents can repel snakes, but the effectiveness can depend on the species. Let’s look at these natural choices:

1. Repellent Plants

Some plants can repel snakes. These are plants that give off strong scents or qualities that snakes dislike. Here is a common plants that work as a natural snake repellent for yard:

• Marigolds: These colorful flowers produce an odor that snakes avoid.
• Lavender: Lavender is not only used for its calming scent, but it can also act as a natural snake repellent for yards.
• Rosemary: The strong scent of this herb can repel snakes, plus it can add flavor to whatever cooking.
• Alliums: Alliums, plants like onions and garlic, will ward off snakes due to their strong smell.

Some other plants that help are:

• Lemongrass: Its lemony smell drives off many pests, including snakes.
• Mugwort: A bitter-smelling herb, and also claimed to repel snakes.
• Daffodils: These flowers have toxins that are toxic to snakes, which makes them a best snake deterrent for garden.

Such plants can be planted all over the yard or the garden to make the area less attractive to snakes.

2. Essential Oils & Sprays

Essential oils can also be used to deter snakes naturally. These oils are mixable with water and can be sprayed around the yard, garden and entrance ways to the home. These are some of the best essential oils:

• Cinnamon: Its potent smell can keep snakes away.
• Clove: Like cinnamon, this oil has a strong scent that snakes avoid.
• Cedarwood: The woody aroma of cedarwood is very unpopular among pests, including snakes.
• Garlic: The scent of garlic repels snakes and can ward them off.

There are also other DIY recipes that involve blending these oils with water and applying them around problem areas. Commercial snake repellent sprays are available in stores as well. These can be convenient options for homeowners who would like ready-made solutions.

3. Predator Scents

Using a predator’s smell is another natural way to keep snakes away. Snakes generally stay away from regions where they detect animals that could prey on or endanger them. The urine of predators like:

• Coyote
• Fox
• Bobcat

These can be placed around the yard or garden as the best snake deterrent for garden. But then, there is a need to weigh the incoming risks associated with some other wildlife that’s attracted to the predator's smell (raccoons and other animals).

Chemical Snake Repellents

Chemical repellents are easy to find and are commonly used when natural methods fail. These products are formulated with ingredients that irritate a snake’s senses, making the space unpleasant for them to linger.

Common Active Ingredients

The majority of chemical snake repellents contain one or both of these:

• Naphthalene: This is the same chemical that is in mothballs. It has a strong smell that may bother snakes’ sense of smell.
• Sulfur: When paired with naphthalene, sulfur creates another layer of scent that may deter snakes from the treated area.

These ingredients are common in a lot of store bought snake repellents. They are commonly used around the borders of yards, gardens, garages, and sheds.

Commercial Products

Various types of chemical repellents are available for how to keep snakes away from house. Common forms of the products include:

• Granules: Dry pellets or granules sprinkled on the ground around problem areas.
• Liquid Sprays: These sprays can be used on walls, fences, garden beds, or walkways.
• Aerosol Sprays: These are commercial-grade spray cans that can be used in smaller areas or to apply directly to the area where a snake would enter the home.

Products with names like Snake Out and Snake-A-Way, or similar commercial names available at garden stores and online, are among common products.

Regulatory & Safety Notes

Check the EPA registration (stands for Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S.) before using any of the chemical repellents. Registered products have been tested for safety and effectiveness. Homeowners should:

• Always read and follow label instructions.
• Store chemical repellents away from children and pets.
• Avoid mothballs, which are not approved for outdoor snake use and can be harmful when used directly.

If used correctly, the product is supposed to work as intended and keep people and animals safe.

Best Snake Repellent Products

Growcycle products are among the most effective snake repellents on the market.

1. Hi-Yield® Snake Repellent

Hi-Yield® Snake Repellent is a granular product that combines cedar oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, and sulfur. The ingredients release a strong scent that snakes find offensive and avoid. Its purpose is to scatter around the perimeter of a property, garden, or any designated areas where snakes are likely to gain access.

• One 3.25 lb bag treats a strip 6 to 8 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
• Spread the granules out in a steady line around the area. For best results, reapply every two weeks or after a heavy rain.
• Great for enclosures for small yards, gardens, or patios.

2. EPIC Snake Scram™ Repellent Shaker Granules

Arriving in a convenient shaker bottle, this repellent is easy to apply around entry points, gardens, garages and along walkways. It contains all-natural ingredients that hit a snake’s Jacobson’s organ, the part of their body that captures smell.

• Ideal for covering small areas, although square footage is not specified.
• Sprinkle granules right on the ground where snakes are seen or may draw near.
• Ideal for spot treatment or fast application in hard-to-reach areas.

3. EPIC Snake Scram™ Granular Repellent

This 6 lb bag of Snake Scram™ comes with a resealable bag and is intended for larger outdoor spaces. It has the same all-natural formula as the shaker version and gets more done.

• Each bag can cover as much as 3,500 square feet.
• Sprinkle the granules along the edge of the home, flower beds, or underneath decks. Reapply as necessary, especially following rainfall.
• Ideal for spacious lawns, gardens or homes bordering wooded land where snakes are frequently found.

4. Bonide® Snake Stopper® Repellent Granules

Bonide’s Snake Stopper® is a granular product that also contains a mix of natural oils and sulfur. It has clove oil, cedar oil, cinnamon oil and sulfur, creating a scent snakes hate that doesn’t hurt them.

• Covers a moderate area, but will suit medium-size yards.
• Spread around buildings, gardens, woodpiles or property lines. Reapply every month or following heavy rains.
• Family friendly when used according to label instructions and a child and pet safe snake repellent.

5. Reptile Stopper 12lb Bulk Repellent Granules

The heavy-duty, odorless reptile repellent uses a triple-action method that repels snakes through smell, taste and touch because it irritates them. It has no strong odor like some other similar products, so it’s great for anyone who may be sensitive to perfumes.

• The 12 lb bag is for larger properties and more frequent use.
• Spread a band of granules around the garden, structures, or problem areas. Reapply every month, rain or shine.
• Recommended for more extensive buildings or those desiring a stronger, scent-free, and extended treatment.

Physical Exclusion & Habitat Modification

Although repellents can help, one of the best ways to keep snakes out of a yard or garden is to make the area less appealing and difficult for them to enter.

1. Snake-Proof Fencing

A proper snake proof fence is one of the best long term solutions to keeping snakes out. The fence must conform to a handful of key design principles:

• The fencing needs to be of fine mesh, no greater than ¼ inch so that snakes can’t get through.
• To keep snakes from crawling under the fence, at least 6 inches should be buried in the ground.
• The fence should also be bent at the top outward to prevent snakes from climbing over it at a 30 degrees.

This type of fence could be erected around the entire yard or just around some important areas like the gardens, sheds, or patios.

2. Yard Maintenance

Snakes like resting in cool, shady areas. Maintaining an orderly yard can eliminate many of their hiding places, making the area less appealing:

• Clear away heaps of wood, rocks, leaves and old equipment where snakes could hide.
• Make grass short, and cut bushes, shrubs and low-hanging plants regularly.
• Use smooth stones or fine mulch that don’t offer shelter, and don’t use thick layers of mulch or loose rocks that hold moisture and attract small creatures.

A clean, open yard offers fewer hiding places for snakes and discourages them from coming around.

3. Rodent Control

Snakes regularly enter yards seeking food, particularly rodents. By eliminating rats, mice, and other small creatures, homeowners can lower the likelihood of snake visits:

• Ensure rodents can’t access sheds, garages, or under decks.
• Lay traps or use rodent bait stations safely.
• Do not leave pet food, birdseed or open garbage outside.

Snakes have little incentive to linger without ready access to food.

FAQs

Do mothballs keep snakes away?

Naphthalene, which is found in mothballs, may deter snakes, at least temporarily. But experts and research say they aren’t a very effective solution and can be toxic to pets, children and wildlife. Products designed specifically for snake control for backyard are safer.

Are snake repellents safe for pets?

Use natural repellents from plant oils that are usually safe for use with pets when applied correctly. But chemical repellents can be dangerous if pets ingest or lick them. Always check the label and opt for pet-friendly options when possible.

Do snake repellents really work?

Yes, natural repellents are widely suggested (such as marigolds, lemongrass, lavender, essential oils like clove, cinnamon and cedarwood). They emit strong odors that snakes find unpleasant, and they are safe around children and pets.

The Bottom Line

Snakes do have their purposes in nature, but they aren’t desired in most backyards or gardens. Homeowners can definitely prevent snake encounters by knowing about snake behavior, using effective repellents, and making the backyard less hospitable.

For reliable snake control for backyard, visit Growcycle for safe, effective and easy-to-use repellents and traps. Combined with effective yard maintenance and physical barriers, these tools can bring peace of mind and help keep outdoor spaces safe from unwanted slithering visitors.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.