Contrary to popular belief, snakes don't like the hot temperatures of summer any more than most of us do. In fact, on particularly hot days, snakes have to scramble to find shade or they'll overheat and die. You might run into snakes as they move back and forth from sunny places to shade.
Snakes like to warm their bodies in the sunshine. Hiking in the evening or early in the morning helps you avoid their favorite part of the day.
It can also darken its skin to absorb more heat. Temperatures above 90 degrees Farenheit will cause an snake to overheat and could result in a fever that it can't control. Exposure to temperatures above 95 degrees Farenheit can kill a snake in minutes.
Ammonia is a common snake repellent. Snakes hate the smell of ammonia and won't come near it. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in unsealed plastic bags. Leave the bags where you usually see snakes to keep them away.
Snakes are most active whenever temperatures are between 80-90F. This means that the snakes may be active most of the day during the spring, and during the early mornings and late afternoons throughout the summer.
Chances are, you aren't a fan of being outside when it's around 90°F +. This goes for most other animals as well, including snakes. For snakes, their activity happens most prominently between temperatures of 68 and 80 degrees for the most part.
Snakes are at their most active when it's cool out. They move around most in the early morning and around dusk.
Some common examples include marigolds, lemongrass, and wormwood. Foxes and raccoons are common predators of snakes. Guinea hens, turkeys, pigs, and cats will also help keep snakes away. If foxes are indigenous to your area, fox urine is a very good natural repellent for snakes when spread around your property.
It is hard to believe but snakes have many enemies. Large birds, wild boars, mongooses, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and even other snakes are a few of the dangers snakes fall prey to. Many people find it surprising that the largest and the scariest snakes can be afraid of anything, but it is true.
Use Natural Predators
Snakes have a few natural predators that can help keep them away. Common snake predators include cats, raccoons, pigs, turkeys, guinea hens, and foxes. Keeping any of these animals around your home will help deter snakes from coming near.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals. This means that as the temperature drops, they become sluggish and lethargic, much like humans do when we get very warm. What is this? Typically, snakes become less active when temperatures dip below 60 degrees.
Snakes don't need a light to be on at night. They benefit from a day and night cycle, which means they need light during the day and darkness during the night. If the light stays on during the night, the snake could become stressed, lethargic, and may stop eating.
Do snakes come out in the fall? Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December.
When a storm moves into an area that brings heavy rain, these underground dens and burrowed tunnels will begin to fill with water, essentially flooding the snake's home. This will drive the snake to leave their den and seek dry, safe shelter.
In order to present a "food lure", an odor of insects, fish, or rodents would have to be present. In the case when a snake encounters a scent, the scent must be fresh in order to stimulate the snake's feeding response or curiosity. Snakes are not like blood hounds which can track an aging scent trail.
Dogs generally don't instinctively know to avoid rattlesnakes, and as such, they can easily become victims of their bites. Although the snakes do not bite unprovoked, a dog nose invading their space is enough to send the reptile into defense mode and you to an emergency animal hospital.
The snake's biggest enemy is the mongoose, which is quick enough to dart in and bite the back of the cobra's neck before the snake can defend itself.
One of the most common myths about snakes is that they are afraid of lights. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Snakes are just as likely to be active during the day at night.
Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.
While their diet varies by species, most snakes feed on small rodents (like mice) and birds. Having an abundance of these favorite foods around your home will draw snakes to your yard. Inspect your yard for signs of rodents.
Garlic Spray to Keep Snakes Away
Garlic and onions are thought to be one of the most effective ways to repel snakes because they contain sulfonic acid, the chemical that causes us to cry when we chop onions.
Humans are not prey and snakes tend to detect them by the mechanisms above and will mostly move out of the way if possible. If one is cornered however or inadvertently trodden on or rolled on in sleep it may bite defensively.
Most people don't realize snakes don't have ears which makes them deaf. It doesn't matter what kind of noise you make to scare the snake away, it won't hear you either way. It is actually the vibration of the noise that frightens the snake. There are many different ways to scare snakes into slithering away.
"A snake may burrow into bedding to seek warmth. If you have a vent under or near your bed, snakes will likely hide there for warmth and to feel safe." And since snakes are such skilled hiders, the first sign that one is cozying up under your bed may come from your ears tipping you off that they're hiding out.