What Can I Put Around My House to Ward Off Snakes?

Smaller Landscape Plants

• Plant smaller, more open and widely spaced landscape plants in place of thick cover around your home's foundation. Prune and maintain plants used in your landscape, mow your grass regularly, and keep weeds in check. A well-kept yard will deny snakes cover, and snakes may be less likely to chance crossing an open expanse of grass. Eliminate other sources of cover and shelter, such as woodpiles and junk piles near your home.

Pest Traps

• Set traps for pests. Snakes may consume rodents, frogs, insects, worms or even other snakes. By eliminating their prey from your yard, you eliminate their food source, and so deter snakes. If snakes are not attracted to your yard, they will be less likely to find an entry into your home. Research the types of snakes found in your area, identify their prey, then eliminate the habitat and food sources of prey. Keep pets, such as cats and dogs. These companion animals will deter or kill snakes and snake prey, reducing the attractiveness of your yard for both.

Fencing

• Install a snake-proof fence around your home's exterior. Such fences can also be installed around yards in areas where snakes are an ongoing problem. The barrier must be continual to completely exclude snakes. Shorter sections of fence may be set at an angle to direct snakes away from your property. The fence should be 2 to 3 feet tall and slant outward at the top at an angle of 30 degrees. Bury the bottom of the fence to a depth of 6 inches. Acceptable fencing materials include silt fencing, aluminum flashing and hardware cloth. The downside to fencing is the cost. Fencing may be considered for smaller areas or locations where venomous snakes pose a danger.

Sealants

• Use sealants to fill and cover any gaps around the exterior of your home that may allow snakes to enter. Pay particular attention to gaps near ground level that may allow direct access to the interior of your home, such as those around plumbing. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, you should seal even very small holes, as some snakes can gain entry through an opening the diameter of a pencil. A combination of foam sealants, caulk, screen material and hardware cloth should allow you to seal most entry points.