Best Snake Repellents: Barriers, Granules and Sprays That Help

The snake repellent that works best is not a powder or spray but a barrier: Amagabeli's 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth, built into a snake-proof fence around a play area or garden, physically keeps snakes out. Of the chemical products, Victor Snake-A-Way is the granule registered for rattlesnakes and garter snakes, Ortho Snake B Gon1 is the no-stink granule for pet homes, and Bonide Snake Stopper is the hose-end spray. Research on repellents is thin and inconsistent, so treat them as a supplement to removing cover and food.

Do Snake Repellents Work?

Sometimes, a little, and not for every species. The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management's guide to snake damage prevention and control says research on the effectiveness of snake repellents is either lacking or inconsistent. It notes that Snake-A-Way, made with sulfur and naphthalene, is registered for rattlesnakes and checkered garter snakes but apparently does not work against most other species.

Snakes “smell” by flicking their tongues and passing scent particles to an organ in the roof of the mouth, which is why makers use strong odors. But a snake looking for a meal of mice or a cool place to rest will often cross a band of granules, especially once rain has washed the scent down. Repellents can nudge snakes away from a doorway or shed for a while; they cannot make a yard snake-free.

The approach that holds up has three parts: remove what attracts snakes, block them physically where it matters most, and use a repellent only as an extra layer. Our wildlife control guides cover snakes along with raccoons, squirrels and moles, and the snake repellent section collects the articles on sprays, powders and pet-safe options.

Why Snakes Come Into Yards

Most snakes around homes are harmless and eat mice, slugs and insects, but nobody wants one under the porch. They stay where three needs are met:

• Food: mice, rats, voles, frogs and insects. A rodent problem is usually a snake problem waiting to happen.
• Cover: tall grass, dense shrubs, woodpiles, rock piles, boards, tarps and clutter along walls.
• Temperature: sunny rocks and pavement for warming up, and cool, damp spots under decks and slabs for hot afternoons.

Fixing these is the most effective snake control:

• Mow often: and keep grass short next to the house, patios and play areas.
• Clear debris: move woodpiles, lumber and rock piles away from the house and raise firewood off the ground.
• Control rodents: store pet food and birdseed in sealed bins, clean up spilled seed, and trap mice around buildings.
• Trim shrubs: cut back plants that touch the house or form dense ground cover.
• Fix water problems: drain standing water and repair leaking faucets that create damp shelter.

Timing helps too. Snakes are most noticeable in spring, when they leave winter shelters and look for food and mates, and again in fall, when they search for places to spend the winter. Clearing debris and sealing the foundation in late summer keeps snakes from choosing your crawl space or garage as a winter den, and a spring cleanup removes cover just as they become active.

Pools, ponds and irrigated beds draw frogs and toads, and those draw snakes. Keep vegetation trimmed around water features, skim pools often and check pool filters and skimmer baskets, where small snakes sometimes end up trapped.

Snake-Proof Fencing and Sealing the House

A physical barrier is the only snake control that does not depend on how a snake reacts to a smell. ICWDM recommends a snake-proof fence of heavy galvanized 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth, 36 inches tall, with the bottom 4 to 6 inches buried and the fence slanting outward at about 30 degrees. Gates should swing inward and fit tightly, and any holes under the fence need filling.

Fencing a whole property is rarely practical, so use it where it matters: around a play area, a garden, a chicken run or the space under a deck. ICWDM also notes that a border of lava rock at least 12 inches wide may deter snakes from crossing into an area.

For the house itself, seal openings around foundations, doors, utility lines and weep vents. ICWDM advises closing gaps of 1/4 inch and larger with sheet metal, copper mesh, Xcluder-type fill or fine hardware cloth, and fitting door sweeps so snakes cannot slip under garage and exterior doors.

Snake Repellent Types Compared

We compared snake repellents and barriers on their ingredients, registration, coverage, how long they last and what buyers report. Our sources were the makers' listings, Amazon's review digests and the ICWDM, NPIC and CDC guidance cited here; we did not test the products. We left out repellent pouches whose listings do not clearly state ingredients and whose reviews read like marketing copy, glue traps for outdoor use (they catch birds, pets and other wildlife), a spray with mixed results and little detail, and listings with few ratings.

Best Snake Repellents and Barriers

Amagabeli Hardware Cloth: Best Overall Snake Repellent

Amagabeli's roll of 1/4-inch hot-dipped galvanized hardware cloth is 36 inches wide by 50 feet long, which matches the mesh size and height wildlife specialists recommend for a snake-proof fence.

• It is 23-gauge welded wire, per the maker.
• Buyers find it strong and easy to cut and install, and report it keeping mice, snakes and raccoons out of gardens and coops.
• It needs posts, staples or zip ties and a day of work to install properly.

Choose it to fence a play area, vegetable garden or chicken run, or to skirt a deck or shed so snakes cannot get underneath. Bury the bottom edge, angle the top outward and wear heavy gloves, since cut edges are sharp.

OUR CHOICE

Amagabeli Galvanized Hardware Cloth 1/4 in, 36 in x 50 ft

1/4 inch meshGalvanized50 ft

Best for: Keeping snakes out of play areas, gardens and decks

• ✓Mesh size and height match snake-fence advice
• ✓Strong and easy to cut, per buyers
• ✓Keeps snakes and rodents out, per buyers
• −Takes a day of work to install
• −Sharp cut edges; wear gloves

Editor's Note

A buried, angled fence works on every species. Fence the areas that matter most.

Check Price

Specifications (3)

Material

Hot-Dipped Galvanized

Item Diameter

0.25 inches

Finish Type

Galvanized

Victor Snake-A-Way: Best Registered Snake Repellent Granules

Victor Snake-A-Way is the granular repellent with an EPA registration, per the maker, and its 4-pound bag covers up to 1/2 acre.

• The maker says it protects for up to 3 months and should be reapplied after heavy rain or when the odor fades.
• Its sulfur and naphthalene formula is registered for rattlesnakes and checkered garter snakes, according to ICWDM, and appears ineffective against many other species.
• The listing had no review summary we could use.

Choose it for a band around a shed, woodpile or foundation in rattlesnake country. Naphthalene is the same ingredient as many mothballs, and the National Pesticide Information Center's naphthalene fact sheet notes that dogs that eat it can suffer vomiting, diarrhea and tremors, so keep pets and children away from treated bands and store the bag sealed.

Victor Snake-A-Way Outdoor Snake Repellent Granules 4 lb

GranulesNaphthalene4 lb

Best for: Rattlesnake country, away from pets

• ✓EPA-registered, per the maker
• ✓Covers up to 1/2 acre, per the maker
• ✓Up to 3 months per application, per the maker
• −Registered for few species
• −Naphthalene is toxic if pets eat it

Editor's Note

It suits bands around sheds and woodpiles. Keep pets and children away.

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Specifications (2)

Size

4 Pound Bag

Target Species

Snake

Ortho Snake B Gon1: Best Granules for Homes With Pets

Ortho's 2-pound shaker of no-stink granules covers up to 1,440 square feet, per the maker.

• The maker says it is safe around people, pets and plants when used as directed, though not on food crops, and recommends reapplying about every 30 days.
• Buyers find it pleasant-smelling and pet-friendly; results are mixed.
• Value gets mostly negative reviews, since repeat applications add up.

Choose it for patios, garage edges and flower beds where pets spend time and a strong sulfur smell would be unwelcome. Expect to reapply after rain and to keep up with mowing and rodent control alongside it.

Ortho Snake B Gon1 Snake Repellent Granules 2 lb

Granules2 lb

Best for: No-stink granules in pet homes

• ✓Pleasant scent, per buyers
• ✓Pet-friendly, per buyers
• ✓Covers up to 1,440 sq ft, per the maker
• −Mixed results, per buyers
• −Value mostly negative, per buyers

Editor's Note

It suits patios and beds pets use. Reapply monthly and after rain.

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Specifications (2)

Item Form

Granule

Unit Count

32 Ounce

Bonide Snake Stopper: Best Snake Repellent Spray

For a fast perimeter treatment, Bonide Snake Stopper screws onto a garden hose and sprays a mix of cinnamon, cedarwood and clove oils from its 32-ounce bottle, per the maker.

• The maker lists snakes, iguanas and lizards and says it is safe around people and pets when used as directed.
• Buyers like the scent and that it is pet-friendly; effectiveness and value are mixed.
• Essential oils wash off quickly and are not suitable where cats roam.

Choose it for treating a perimeter band quickly with a hose, around foundations, garden borders and patios. Reapply after rain and keep it off plants you eat.

Bonide Snake Stopper Snake Repellent 32 oz Ready-to-Spray

Hose-end spray32 oz

Best for: A quick hose-end perimeter spray

• ✓Hose-end application
• ✓Pleasant scent, per buyers
• ✓Pet-friendly, per buyers
• −Mixed results, per buyers
• −Washes off; not for cat areas

Editor's Note

It treats a perimeter band quickly. Reapply after rain.

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Specifications (2)

Item Volume

32 fluid ounces

Item Form

Ready-to-Spray

What Does Not Work, and What Is Unsafe

• Mothballs: using them in yards or gardens to repel snakes is a misuse of a pesticide, and they poison pets and children who mistake them for treats.
• Ultrasonic and vibrating stakes: snakes sense vibrations, but there is no good evidence that these devices keep them away.
• Coffee grounds, cinnamon sticks and ammonia: any effect is brief at best.
• “Snake-repelling” plants: marigolds, lemongrass and mother-in-law's tongue are often recommended with no evidence behind them.
• Gasoline, diesel or bleach poured on the ground: dangerous, polluting and illegal in many places.
• Killing harmless snakes: they eat rodents, and many species are protected; leave them alone or call a professional for removal.

If You Meet a Snake

Give it space; most bites happen when people try to catch or kill a snake. The CDC's guidance on venomous snakes advises never handling a snake, staying out of tall grass and leaf piles where possible, wearing boots and long pants outdoors, and taking extra care at dawn, dusk and in warm weather, when snakes are most active. An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, and about 5 die.

If someone is bitten, get emergency care right away and do not let them drive. Keep them calm, remove rings and watches before swelling starts, and wash and cover the bite. Do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound, try to suck out venom or apply ice.

For a snake inside the house, close the room door, put a towel under it and call animal control or a wildlife removal service, especially if you are not sure the snake is harmless.

Common Questions About Snake Repellents

Which One Should You Buy?

Amagabeli's 1/4-inch hardware cloth is the snake repellent to buy if you need an area to stay snake-free. A buried, outward-angled fence works on every species, needs no reapplying and is safe for children and pets.

Choose Victor Snake-A-Way for rattlesnake country where pets cannot reach the granules, Ortho Snake B Gon1 for a pet home, and Bonide Snake Stopper for a quick hose-end band. With any of them, mow, clear debris and control mice, since those changes do more than any repellent.

Before you buy, identify the snakes you see and where they shelter, since that decides whether you need a fence, a repellent band or simply a cleaner yard.