Snake Prevention
Keeping snakes out of your yard
During the warm months, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission receives many calls from the public about how to prevent the presence of snakes on their property. Several commercial products claim to repel snakes, although none has been shown to be effective.
Many people put out sulfur powder or mothballs but the most this might do is kill a few insects for a short period of time. To reduce the likelihood of snakes occurring in and around your home, yard or outbuildings, we recommend a few simple “housekeeping” chores.
- Keep lawn and surrounding grounds mowed short and trim around all building foundations. Snakes do not like to move over open ground, which makes them vulnerable to predators.
- Remove piles of logs, brush, rocks or other debris on the ground. This provides cover for snakes and the animals that snakes feed on. If you reduce the presence of cover and food, then you reduce the potential presence of snakes!
- Make sure your home is well-sealed. Replace worn weather stripping around doors. Use caulk, mortar or spray foam in a can to seal up cracks in the foundation and around plumbing, heating/cooling and electrical ducts.
- Minimize mulch and low-growing flower or plant beds immediately around the house. These can provide cover for snakes and the animals that snakes feed on. If you live in the country, with nearby natural habitat, the potential for snakes to be around your home and outbuildings is increased, so be prepared for possible snake encounters. Urban dwellers have the least likelihood of encountering snakes.
