Homeowners have a number of options to prevent and control Snakes, including both chemical and non-chemical methods. The following Non-Chemical Control Methods are both important and effective when used in conjunction with chemical Snake Repellent.
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Non-Chemical Control Methods
1) Inspection. The first step in snake control is to find out what kind of snake is creating a problem if at all possible. Snakes can be identified by doing some quick online research for photos, or calling your state extension office. The main focus of this research should be to obtain a basic understanding of the snake's habits and *determine whether it is venomous or not. If snakes are getting inside somehow, inspection should also include a survey of the foundation for gaps, cracks, unscreened crawlspace vents, too-wide clearance under doors or improper sealing around plumbing and utility lines.
*Is it Poisonous? - Non-poisonous snakes have round eye pupils, while poisonous snakes have elliptical pupils with an additional pit or opening close to the nostril.
2) Habitat Modification. If you are seeing snakes around your home or property on a regular basis, it is because conditions are favorable. Any of the following environmental modifications will aid in snake control by discouraging them from making their home near yours.
- Eliminate tall stands of vegetation.
- Remove piles of lumber, rocks, or other debris that may harbor smaller pests that snakes like to eat.
- Cover up or fill entrances to rodent burrows that may attract snakes.
- Control of rats, mice, and other rodents will result in greater snake control.
- Snake proof fences constructed around a home or garden will keep most snakes out. If made of fine mesh 24 to 46 inches high and buried several inches in the ground.
3) Exclusion. When snakes are found inside the home, there is usually a point of entry that has been overlooked. Snakes are able to constrict themselves to pass through very small openings. Search the foundation specifically for any gaps or crevices larger than ¼ inch and up to three feet in grade. Vents in crawlspaces should be guarded by screens with at mesh no larger than ¼ inch.
4) Live-Trapping. Snakes that are loose in a home are often hard to find. One thing that might help to ‘lure' the snake in is to place piles of damp towels covered with a dry towel at different places along walls. The pile should be at least big enough that a snake could crawl under it and hide itself. This is helpful because of snakes' preference for moisture. The piles can then be checked several times a day.
Chemical Snake Repellent
In addition to the above non-chemical methods of snake control, Snake-A-Way is the world's only EPA registered, university tested, patented snake repellent that is guaranteed to effectively repel both poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. The Snake-Away dry granular mixture is easy to apply and can be sprinkled by hand around homes, trailers, cabins, camp sites, and garages, or wherever snakes repellency is desired. Snake-A-Way provides control of snakes for up to 3 months.
Snake-A-Way may be more effective on some species than others for snake control.
- The formula is most effective on Rattle Snakes, Checkered Garter Snakes, and Coral Snakes
- It is less effective on species such as the Corn or Red Rat Snake, Black Racer, Cotton Mouth Snake, Yellow Rat Snake, and Burmese Python.
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