Tips to Keep Snakes Away from Your House

This home invader reminds me of that line in one of the Indiana Jones movies: “Why did it have to be snakes? I hate snakes!” My daughter-in-law would agree with Indiana, and so would many others that are creeped out by snakes and can’t stand the thought of having one of these critters around their home.

Snakes have a bad rap and are often misunderstood. These reptiles are actually beneficial; they help control the rodent population because they eat mice and rats. Mice and rats can cause damage to your home and transmit disease. Also, most snakes found in the United States are harmless. Nevertheless, poisonous snakes may occasionally invade homes in rural areas that are close to their normal habitats.

Snakes are really fascinating when you take a closer look at them. Their graceful “slithering” movements come from friction created by the overlapping scales on their bellies. Snakes will actually redistribute their weight as they move to maximize friction. Another cool thing is that the fangs of venomous snakes are modified teeth in the upper jaw that fold back into the mouth when not in use (just like a switch blade). Snakes hibernate in dens during the winter sometimes in large numbers.

Even if you now agree that snakes are pretty interesting, you probably still don’t want them in your home. Here are some tips to keep snakes away from your house. The best way to control snakes is to eliminate their food and shelter. Identify potential hiding places such as woodpiles, rock piles and other debris near your house that may invite the snakes into your home. Elevate woodpiles and other debris off the ground, mow grass frequently and clip back vegetation around the house. Having an effective rodent program is also important to remove the snakes’ food source. Finally sealing up entry points like cracks and crevices in the foundation and installing good door sweeps will also help prevent snaked from getting into your home.

Though there is such a thing as a snake repellent, results have not proven very effective. In fact, if you use a repellent before removing snakes from your home, the snakes will actually remain in your house.

Take these precautions first, but if you ever do find a snake in your home, don’t hesitate to call the Catseye Pest Control Team at 1-888-260-3980 or contact us online.

Photo via Shenandoah National Park