Cedar trees' wood emits a fragrant smell that attracts snakes. The vines growing on cedar trees make an attractive home for snakes due to the shade and moisture they provide. The shaded areas under the vines are a favorite place for rats, which also provide food to snakes.
While it's common knowledge that cedar chips deter moths from munching on your sweaters and other wool items in summer storage, cedar is also useful in deterring other pests both inside and outside. Cedar's superpower to combat unwanted bugs, snakes and rodents lies in its distinctive and pleasant earthy smell.
Yes, pine and cedar oils are toxic to snakes. Do not use them as substrate. In the wild , yes the snakes are exposed to these oils as they crawl, but exposure time is very short..
Snakes are highly sensitive to odors, so those currently denning in the home can be “evicted” by applying products such as vinegar, lime mixed with hot pepper, garlic or onions, Epsom salt, or oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to the perimeter.
Research also shows that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area. FIFRA Section 25(b) and listed under 40 CFR 152.25(f)(1).
Can coffee grounds repel snakes? No - there is no evidence that snakes dislike or are repelled by the smell of coffee grounds. This is not an effective snake prevention method - despite the many anecdotal accounts on the internet.
Cool, Dark Places: Snakes are cold-blooded so they seek out cool, shaded areas to regulate their body temperature. Piles of wood, debris, or dense shrubbery provide ideal hiding spots. Water Sources: Snakes need water to survive, so properties with ponds, birdbaths, or other water features can attract them.
Some plants may repel snakes, including mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), and other plants with strong, citrusy smells. Plant these species around your yard to help ward off copperheads.
Garlic and onions not only work when planted in your yard, but they also work as a natural snake repellent product as they both contain sulfonic acid which is known to repel snakes. Chop up both garlic and onions and mix them with rock salt. Sprinkle the mixture around your yard to repel snakes.
Keep Areas Around the House Free of Wood Piles
Snakes prefer damp and dark places, common in holes, cracks, and crevices. They also love to hide in wood piles. Eliminating wood piles will deny them residence near your property.
Install a barrier with a smooth surface such as vinyl fencing or metal sheeting. This is not foolproof as some snakes are just strong enough, but it could discourage a lot of them. Attach a mesh or hardware cloth to the bottom of your fence, extending it at least a foot high and burying it several inches underground.
Snakes and lizards frequently burrow into their shavings substrate, becoming completely covered by the material, breathing air through the layers of piled up shavings. With the similarity of the symptoms of cedar toxicity to other common reptile ailments, it is easy to see why toxicity may go undiagnosed.
Consider natural predators
Cats, foxes, raccoons, turkeys, pigs, and guinea hens are natural predators of snakes. Having these animals on or around your property is an effective natural way to keep snakes at bay.
The main insect-repelling chemical present in cedar chips is known as thujone. Property owners love how cedar chips can repel a variety of insects including cloth-eating moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, and certain types of ants.
But they're not the only ones looking to enjoy the sunshine. Snakes typically emerge from brumation — a low-energy state that they enter during winter in order to survive colder temperatures — in March or April and remain active through October, largely because they rely on external heat for warmth.
Mothballs. Mothballs are one of the most popular snake repellent products. The active ingredient in mothballs is either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene.
Cedar is a tall ornamental coniferous tree, a branched plant of the pine family, found in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean basin and the Himalayan range of India and Nepal. Cedar trees' wood emits a fragrant smell that attracts snakes.
Generally, snakes are most active during the twilight hours, which are the periods just before sunrise and after sunset. During these times, the temperature is often more favorable for snakes, allowing them to efficiently conserve energy and maximize their hunting opportunities.
The strong odor of vinegar may temporarily deter snakes, but it is unlikely to provide long-term or reliable protection against snake intrusion. Moreover, different species of snakes may have varying responses to vinegar, further complicating its effectiveness as a repellent.
One of the primary natural predators that snakes fear are birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and owls. With their keen eyesight, powerful talons, and aerial agility, these avian predators pose a significant threat to snakes.
Clove and cinnamon oil are effective snake repellents. These should be mixed together in a spray bottle and sprayed directly on snakes for maximum effect. Use caution, as snakes will often run in the opposite direction of the spray. This mixture can also be used in a diffuser indoors as a fumigant, as well.
Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
Rosemary: This aromatic herb is an excellent choice for snake repellent. Plant it around your garden or entryways. Onion and Garlic: Both onion and garlic plants can help keep snakes away due to their pungent scent.