Natural And Effective Snake Repellent Products

Living in a snake prone area can rattle ones nerves and the thoughts of the dangers that these snakes pose can make living unbearable. The presence of snakes can be very scary especially where one has small children, or where one is practicing animal rearing or has great interest in landscaping among other normal day to day activities. It is estimated that only one percent of snakes in the world are poisonous, however, with the snake population and differing environmental habitats it becomes hard to tell which among the many is poisonous and which is not. The expert advice on snakes is also in shortage. Moreover, the snakes have a defense mechanism that majorly involves the use of their fangs to bite which in itself is a danger to the victim. Protecting oneself from these occurrences is important because if negligence crops in it is like juggling one’s life between life and death. Therefore, finding the right snake repellent that effectively puts off snakes away from ones homestead can be very satisfying. Unfortunately, many inventions and solutions offered towards solving this nerve twisting distraction have terribly failed. Which leads to the question; Are there effective natural and effective snake repellents available? Well, the answer is Yes!

Natural Snake Repellents

Snakes are reptiles and thrive in warm conditions since they are cold blooded. As a protective measure for the home owner, one should effectively ensure that they clear and burn any debris in their lawns and farming fields, seal cracks and holes, decongest and avoid piling of bricks, logs, rocks and lumber that might otherwise provide shelter for snakes. The following are reliable natural snake repellents availed by nature or homemade while others are available in local shopping outlets.

Using natural oils

Continuous research that is directed towards establishing the snake behavior towards natural oils has established that all natural oils can be used as snake repellents. The most effective natural oils being olive oil and cinnamon oil since they permeate easily into the skin of the snake and inhibit the metabolism activity thereby acting as a poison which slowly kills the snake. Packaging of sprays made from natural oils are at sale in major retail outlets. Moreover, the natural oils can be sprayed around the yard area which repels the snakes.

Using various species of plants.

Plants have natural smells and biological products that can be utilized as snake repellents. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that some plants are planted with the aim of repelling snakes from compounds occupied by people or farm animals. The following plants are common across certain continents and act as perfect repellents. They include;

• Marigolds

Marigolds are scientifically referred to as Calendula officinalis. This plant has a repellent factor that can effectively repel snakes along other pests. The plant has a characteristic smell irritates the naval system of snakes while its milky sap from its stems corrodes the skin of the snake and makes it itchy. Moreover, it may cause blindness or a blurred vision when it comes into the direct contact of the snakes eyes. Therefore, planting marigold plants around the perimeter of the yard can serve to repel snakes.

• Andrographis Paniculata.

Just like the marigold, the Andrographis Paniculata is an herbaceous plant common in the Asian continent. It contains very bitter leaves and roots that if they rub against the skin of the snake they become swollen and painful. In addition, if the snake consumes its prey where its food comes into contact with the Andrographis Paniculata plant the bitterness resulting from the plant may result in its death thereby, Andrographis Paniculata is recommended as a snake repellent where it is planted around the yard. It is referred to as “the bile of the earth” due to its bitter characteristics.

• Rauwolfia Serpentina

This is a very common plant in India and other Asian countries. It is also referred to as the “insanity herb” probably due to its ability to repel snakes and worse still it causes some nerve interference to them. Rauwolfia Serpentina has a medicinal component that if consumed directly or rubbed across the sensitive skin of the snake this component acts as an inhibitor and causes great pain which may cause a heart attack with rigorous wriggling preceding it.

• Cymbopogon Citratus.

It is commonly referred to as the Lemon grass. It acts as a snake repellent since the snakes detest the smell that emanates from its leaves.

• Plant Tulbaghia Violacea

This is a very common plant in the South Africa and the Zulu tribe in the Kalahari Desert have a history with it. It tolerates prolonged droughts and has medicinal value acting as a remedy against snake bites. Its smell from its flowers and leaves irritate snakes acting as an effective repellent.

Building snake fences.

Probably one of the most natural and effective ways of controlling snake populations within a certain perimeter is by raising a fence or wall. There are several common types of snakes’ fences. These include solid fences made of vinyl or wood, temporary landscaping fences commonly made of plastic fabric or mesh, net fences that catch by trapping the snakes and steel mesh fences that are propped at an angle from the ground. Fences prevent entry of snakes into the compound unless these snakes find new ways through the borrows of moles when in pursuit of their prey. Raising a fence can be expensive but it is a sure way of keeping the unwanted reptiles out. Fences have a special advantage to the homeowner since snakes don’t climb over them.

Set up snake traps.

One can set up and catch snakes using snake traps and remove them from the living area. Though an effective way to eliminate snakes the method is suitable only where snake populations are relatively low or the area coverage is small and one has to exercise great patience. There are different designs of snake traps yet all of them work in a similar manner.

Hire a snake professional

It is very natural to use the services of a professional to deal with the snake menace. Normally, these are well trained individuals who know the behavior patterns of snakes and with this understanding are able to catch and remove snakes from ones homestead. It is very easy this days to find easily affordable snake experts in the local vicinities who are ready and willing to help. Moreover, the experts are in a position to offer extra advice on how to react when beaten by snakes and what medical assistance to access at this juncture. In addition they provide civil education on differentiating between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes.

Domesticate animals that kill snakes

There are animals that are snake enemies. These animals catch and kill snakes. They species of animals include; hawks, eagles, owls, crows, foxes,  raccoons, snapping turtles, mongoose, honey badgers, some cats and dogs. While cats and dogs which act as pets need special training on how to hunt and kill snakes, the other animals are natural hunters and that follow their natural intuition and special features when dealing with snakes.

Use predator urine.

Urine can be used as a tool of mass influence especially when acting against snakes that have sensitive skin. Certain sampled urine from various predators are assumed to have differing concentrations that will act against snakes. Sprinkling of bobcat, coyote, mongoose urine can keep away snakes. However, the biggest challenge lies with collecting this urine, this represents an unrealistic solution since even commercializing this however effective it might be it is just but a dream.

Use of Moth Balls

Where the home has a vast backyard, one can use the Moth balls as repellents as they contain the naphthalene element which is known to cause liver cirrhosis in human beings. It occurs in granular or liquid form. It repels the snakes by acting as an irritant to the chemical receptors in the snakes’ bodies. This repellent does not kill snakes rather it pushes them away from the unwanted perimeter. Sprinkling moth ball flakes can assist one keep off snakes from the yard or inside the home. However, the moth balls are poisonous in nature and can harm when consumed hence should be treated with care. Care should be taken when handling this repellent and should be kept away from domesticated animals or pets and out of range of children and irresponsible adults.

Snake repellent granules.

These granules contain concentrated chemicals that can be applied in the general yard area and that serve to discourage snake entry into the house or the yard. The granules repellents are made in a manner that they are environmentally friendly and take about two month to necessitate replenishing. These are the commonly commercialized products available in stores. There are several common brands, advice from extension officers can prove worth in the choice of these granules.

On the flip side, snakes take an important part in our ecosystem. Where not all snakes are venomous, repelling the snakes is a personal choice. To keep the house or the home yard free of snakes the following important and free advice should be headed to:

1. Avoid tall grass, shrubs, rock or wood piles around the home or farm areas this will assist eliminate likely areas that snakes may make use as habitats.
2. Ensure that the yard is free of likely snake food as this may attract snakes. Snake foods varies significantly in its placement in the food chain and basically consumes mice, chameleons, rats, frogs, moles and lizards.
3. Cover and seal all holes as well as cracks occurring on walls.
4. Check out for tell-tale signs of snake presence such as shedding of skins, movement patterns among others.

Ineffective Methods Of Repelling Snakes.

Over time some theories on how to tackle snakes have been adopted yet these popular methods have little or no effect on these reptiles. These methods include;

1) Flooding the snake holes with water with the aim of drowning them. This is the least effective way of dealing with snakes considering they are just but reptiles and can survive in water hence eventually crawl away.

2) Oiling or spreading diesel or gas around the compound is also a least effective method.

3) Roping the perimeter of the yard this is ineffective since snakes have a visual ability and discern tricks.

4) Spreading pig dung around the perimeter with the notion that the pig smell will push the snakes away.

5) Burning old tires with the hope that the smell will distract and discourage snakes from approaching the area.