Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. If you have ever leaped into the air, screamed, or run away when coming face to face with one of these yard slitherers, you might have this fear. If you do, it’s ok. Being afraid of snakes is logical, especially when some are dangerous and can put your life at risk with just one bite. In our area, snakes get onto properties all the time, sometimes so much that we feel we can’t enjoy our own yards without having to constantly watch our backs. To make you feel more comfortable enjoying your time outside, here are four easy ways to try to keep snakes off your property and when to call a professional for help.
Remove Food Attractants
Snakes are carnivorous creatures that feed on rodents, frogs, insects, voles, and sometimes even fish. The fewer of these creatures there are on your property, the less likely you will be to find snakes slithering around. To deter prey that snakes eat from your property, here are a few general prevention tips we recommend.
- Pick up fruits, berries, and nuts that fall into your yard.
- Clean up thoroughly after outdoor gatherings.
- When eating outside, keep foods and beverages covered as much as possible.
- Avoid feeding your pets outdoors.
Eliminate Harborage Opportunities
Snakes seek out dark, damp places such as cracks, crevices, and holes to hide in. To address these harborage points, follow these steps. Start with filling in holes around your property. Next, inspect your home’s exterior and repair any cracks or gaps you find using a caulking gun or some liquid cement. In addition to this, repair damage to your home's and outbuildings' screens so that snakes do not find their way indoors. Finally, move compost piles and woodpiles a good distance away from your home and be careful when interacting with these areas as snakes like to hide within.
Address Landscaping Problems
There are many ways your landscaping might attract unwanted snakes. To address these issues, regularly remove debris and overgrowth from your garden areas, keep the grass trimmed short, and regularly cut back your hedges and other greenery that grows around your property. As an extra step of precaution, consider installing fencing around your yard and garden areas.
Adopt Animals That Eat Snakes
If you own a farm or live in an area where you can adopt non-household animals, this is one way you can detract snakes from your property. Specifically, guinea hens, turkeys, pigs, and cats are great for killing snakes or chasing them off properties.
Why You Don’t Want Snakes On Your Property
Mobile is home to more than a few species of venomous snakes. We also have a lot of harmless species in our area. All of this is to say, it is wise to deter snakes from your property as you never know which one could be dangerous and which one just looks scary. The question is, is there a better way to deter snakes than by just using DIY? Absolutely. Here is what you need to know.
How Professionals Handle Snakes
At EnSec, we don’t just offer conventional pest control, we also help members of our community keep dangerous snakes out of their yard. Whether you are looking to have one of these slithering beasts removed from your property or needing extra help preventing these pests from wandering onto your yard, we are your choice for the job.
Contact us now to schedule your home for a detailed service visit or for any questions you have about snakes in our area.