Do snake repellents really work? Here’s what Mississippi experts say
Snakes are running rampant across Mississippi, basking in the summer heat and making themselves at home in your yard.
Sure, there are some ways to keep snakes away, but do they really work? Here’s what experts said.
Do snake repellents work?
Short answer: no. But there’s a little more to it.
“Repellents are questionable at best for effectiveness at keeping snakes away from homes. No repellents are currently registered for snake control,” said experts with the Mississippi State University Extension.
Here’s what works and what doesn’t:
Mothballs
According to Northwest Exterminating experts: “The active ingredient in mothballs is either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both of these products are known to be toxic to insects and mammals but are actually not effective on snakes (because they are actually reptiles).”
The ingredients in mothballs can actually make humans and pets sick, so it’s best not to use this as a repellent at all. Not to mention, it is illegal to use mothballs outside because that is not their intended use on the label.
Sulfur
Similar to the ingredients in mothballs, sulfur is used in several repellents, but is also not effective for snakes.
Fake eggs
If you have a snake constantly trying to get into a chicken coop, you may think of using wooden or ceramic eggs to trick the snake. However, this is not a permanent solution.
“The problem, however, is that when snakes eat these fake eggs they die a long, slow, painful death over the course of many weeks. Once they’re gone, another snake will often show up and take its place, defeating the purpose of eliminating the original snake,” said experts at Northwest Exterminating.
Traps
Sticky traps and other outdoor cage traps are ineffective for snake repellents because they will catch rodents, small pets or other animals.
How to keep snakes away
So, what does work?
According to Rattlesnake Solutions, snake repellents don’t work, but prevention does. Here are some ways to keep snakes away, according to the snake removal service:
The biggest tip: keep food, water, and shelter opportunities to a minimum.
Here are some more tips:
Rodent control – rattlesnakes eat rodents, so having rodents coming and going from your property will bring them in.
Eliminate cool and moist areas, like the leaky hose or patch of lawn that nobody really uses.
Clean up dog poop. This can attract rodents and the rattlesnakes that look for them.
Keep a generally tidy yard, and eliminate any opportunity for a snake to hide.
Also check and close off small spaces:
“Check around the base of homes, storage sheds, or barns. If snakes can crawl under them for protective cover or prey, close off access with packed soil or building materials such as bricks, sheet metal, or small-mesh hardware cloth,” said experts at the Mississippi State University Extension.
And lastly, work through your fears because snakes can be good to have around.
“The best step you can take, however, is to make peace with your slithery neighbors. Snakes play a crucial role in their ecosystems, keeping small animals that could otherwise become nuisances in check,” said Adam Roy, a writer with the Backpacker blog. “85-90% of species are non-venomous, and, unless you’ve cornered them or accidentally stepped on them, they’ll always run away from a fight.”
What other questions do you have about snakes? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
