What Drives Snakes Away?

People and Snakes

• Fear of snakes is common and is called ophidiophobia. But even people who are not afraid of snakes, do not want snakes around their home. Snakes have been found in all types of human habitats, and for people living in rural areas, encounters with snakes are an unavoidable occurrence. Children and pets are especially susceptible because of their regular exposure to the outdoors.

Snake Behavior

• Understanding snake behaviors is key to repelling them. Snakes are cold-blooded creatures, meaning they cannot generate their own body warmth. For this reason, snakes look for warm places to hibernate and "den" during winter. Snakes are most active during the spring and summer months, when people are also spending more time outdoors. Snakes in warmer, tropical climates are active all year. Snakes bite to protect themselves. In the United States, venomous snakes include the rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and copperhead.

  Snakes prefer to hide in dark, isolated places. To get from one place to another, snakes travel over dense ground or through trees. Snake deterrents must take into consideration these natural snake behaviors.

Repellents

• Commercial products advertise a 90 to 93 percent effectiveness, and it is important to find one that is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. Most commercial snake repellents contain naphthalene and sulfur as active ingredients. According to the EPA, naphthalene is the offensive substance used in mothballs and is only harmful to humans through continuous contact.

  These store-bought products are detected by the snake's olfactory sense organ and disrupt its internal reception. This disorientation causes the snake to retreat in search of fresh air. The snake is unharmed and interprets the treated area as a place to avoid.

Natural Repellents

• Also available commercially are ultrasonic sound snake deterrents. This is a device that emits a sound that is inaudible to humans but drives snakes away. The premise behind such a product is that snakes will seek to inhabit places that are not offensive to their senses.

  Due to an American appeal for more earth-friendly products, many companies are offering all-natural snake repellents. These products include various botanical oils and sulfur. This natural combination works much like the ones containing naphthalene, without the use of pesticide.

Avoidence

• Much of what we do unknowingly makes our homes attractive to snakes. There are steps you can take to drive snakes away by making your home and surrounding area less appealing. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends sealing cracks, eliminating a snake's food source, removing hiding places and fencing.

  "Most snakes can fit through a 1/2-inch-wide crack," according to the MDNR. "Fill cracks during the summer, using tuck-pointing, expandable caulking or other standard repair techniques."

  Snakes are attracted to mice and other small mammals. Eliminate garbage, rotting fruit or vegetables, and seeds that may attract rodents. Remove any debris in which rodents might reside or that will provide snakes with a place to hide.

  Fencing can be used as a snake deterrent.

  "Snake-proof fencing can be made by modifying a normal chain-link, picket, or split-rail fence," according to the MDNR. "Attach 24-inch-high hardware cloth (1/4-inch weave) or aluminum flashing to the outside bottom of the fence. Bury the bottom of the hardware cloth or flashing 2 to 4 inches into the soil."

  Gates should have the same snake-proofing and be kept closed at all times. Snakes will travel along a fence rather than expose themselves and go over it.