How to keep snakes out without killing them: The habitat tweak list that actually works

Many homeowners who notice a snake on their property would think that it was there by chance. However, according to experts in wildlife management, snakes do not randomly wander into people's yards but come there because they see something they need in the area. As explained in guidelines provided by the Mississippi State University Extension Service, snakes tend to prefer areas that provide them with protection, cover, and movement.

Therefore, rather than eliminating snakes from an area, what should be done is to eliminate conditions that attract them to one's yard. In fact, making such alterations will not only help prevent future encounters with snakes, but it will also make one's yard neater and tidier.

Why clutter attracts snakes

The experts continually cite the presence of brush piles, wood piles, rock piles, and dense vegetation as among the top issues surrounding homeowners’ houses. This is because the elements provide cover and protection for the snakes, according to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.


In particular, a study that appeared in Ecology and Evolution showed that western ratsnakes preferred areas with structural cover, canopy diversity, and understory cover rather than open areas. In fact, for snakes, cover not only provides concealment but also helps in regulating body temperature, providing safer passage, and preventing predation.

A study conducted among northern Mexican gartersnakes similarly identified low vegetation cover, woody debris, and artificial structures as factors attracting the snakes. Indeed, this shows that snakes can respond strongly to the physical characteristics of their environment, which includes the common elements in a suburban environment.

It is no wonder, therefore, that wildlife professionals always recommend habitat modification as an approach rather than fear tactics. After all, keeping the yard clean will have little appeal for snakes.

Buildings can become shelter zones

It’s important to note that vegetation isn’t the only thing that attracts snakes. Buildings can provide stable sources of shelter as well.

As reported by Scientific Reports in a 2022 article about the behavior of Malayan kraits around a suburban university campus, snakes have been known to return again and again to buildings and other shelters. Scientific Reports report on Malayan kraits.

The problem lies in how people view prevention strategies. It’s not a matter of simply dealing with individual snakes in transit. The issue lies in ensuring that the surrounding environment ceases to serve as a proper habitat.

According to the information presented by Mississippi State University Extension Service in their PDF guide, the best way to proceed is to reduce areas where snakes can hide and find attractive environments prior to establishing residency.

Why fences only work when the yard stays clean

Fencing may assist, but it is important to note that fencing is not a magical solution, according to experts.

For example, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Vertebrate Pest Control Handbook, fencing will prove useful for keeping out snakes if and only if no grass, brush, or other material can grow up to the fence. If such an accumulation occurs against the fence, then snakes will be able to use the debris as a means of accessing their prey.

In other words, the two approaches complement each other. An absence of debris outside the fence will make it more effective, while an abundance of it will decrease its efficiency.

Experimental research conducted decades ago also showed similar findings. Specifically, experiments on using electric fencing to control habu snakes in Japan revealed the usefulness of exclusion techniques when implemented correctly.

What homeowners should remove first?

It is suggested that efforts begin with those nearest to the house.

According to the Mississippi State University Extension Service, property owners are advised to concentrate their efforts initially on eliminating:

• Brush piles
• Piles of wood against buildings
• Rock piles
• Dense growth of vegetation on the ground
• Leaf litter and debris
• Fence rows

These efforts do not have to result in a completely cleared-out area. Ecological studies indicate that snakes are more sensitive to structural layering than anything else. This implies that even partial clean-up efforts close to the property border will prove beneficial.

This includes moving firewood away from building walls, cutting back shrubs, and mowing grass near the foundation.

Coexistence works better than eradication

It has now become increasingly common for modern-day experts in wildlife to focus their prevention efforts on coexistence rather than trying to eradicate all snakes.

The most recent peer-reviewed article about coexisting with humans and venomous snakes available on PubMed suggested that long-term prevention relies on studying the behavior and habitat needs of these creatures rather than waiting until sightings occur.

This information corroborates what has been found by other experts who conducted ecological studies and were involved in extension services. Snakes seek shelter and cover within their habitats, meaning that when the homeowners remove the structures and shelters that offer them both, there will be fewer chances of encountering these animals repeatedly.

Such an approach has proven to be effective, humane, and realistic. Rather than attempting to get rid of the entire local population of snakes, the homeowners need to make sure that the immediate proximity of their houses does not appeal to the reptiles.

According to the experts in this field, this simple approach works best when homeowners try to prevent snakes from getting too close to their houses.