How to keep snakes away from your home and yard

What to look for when inspecting your property:

• Do you have screens on your windows and doors? Are there gaps around the frame or holes in the actual screening?
• Do you have gaps under external doors, garage doors, shed doors? If so, weather stripping can be an effective way to seal these.
• Are there holes, cracks or crevices in the brick or plasterwork of your house?
• Are there any holes, cracks and crevices between patio areas or pathways and your house? Drainage areas in patios are a perfect point of entry.
• Is the gauge size of any grates covering your drains small enough to stop snakes going down it?
• Make sure that there are no holes in your roof that snakes can get through - particularly if trees overhang your house.
• Ensure base boards do not have gaps under or behind them.
• Seal all holes where wiring, plumbing or gas enters your home.
• If your home has wooden floorboards ensure that access to the floor space beneath them is sealed and that gaps between the boards themselves are filled.

Before looking at ways to prevent snakes getting into your house you should ensure that your yard is not a haven for snakes to take up residence, because they would then be much more likely to make their way into your house or garage.

• Long grass is a favored habitat of snakes, so keep yours well mowed.
• Keep shrubs trimmed round their base and away from the house.
• Ensure that tree branches do not overhang your house or seating areas in your yard.
• Stack your wood on a suitable platform – such as a pallet – off the ground.
• Regularly sweep up leaves and other debris in your yard.
• Fill gaps, cracks and crevices in brick and stone walls.
• Wooden decking in seating areas should be solid, rather than slatted, to prevent snakes climbing through it.
• Be aware that play areas, tree houses, sand pits, etc. are potential harborages for snakes.
• Compost heaps could potentially attract many different species of wildlife which, in turn, may become the prey of a snake. Ensure that your compost is made in a sealed and solid structure, preferably raised off the ground, and can be securely sealed against any wildlife but particularly rats and mice.

While it is not common, snakes have been known to enter through pipes and drains. To lower the risk:

• Ensure that drain covers are secure.
• Check bathroom vents and seal gaps in plumbing entry points.

To keep snakes off your property, trim grass, clear debris, and seal cracks to limit hiding spots. Storing firewood off the ground and keeping shrubs cut back also helps. For long-term prevention, our technicians can inspect your yard and recommend tailored solutions.

Snakes dislike open, exposed spaces where they feel vulnerable. Regular yard maintenance removes shelter and makes your property less attractive. 

Some people use natural snake repellents, but results vary and are usually short-term. Snakes are more influenced by the availability of food, water, and shelter. Managing these conditions is a more effective way to keep them away.

It is rare, but snakes can travel through pipes and drains. Securing drain covers and sealing plumbing entry points reduces the chance of it happening.