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Snake repellent can be a crucial line of defense for anyone hoping to prevent sudden and stressful wildlife encounters. Whether you’d simply rather not spot a slithering serpent in your grass or you’re worried about the safety of your pets or kids, a reliable snake deterrent can help.
When paired with proper landscape maintenance, these products can reduce your chances of having an unwanted visitor. To help you find a repellent that’s right for your needs, we spoke to a pest control expert about what separates truly effective solutions from the rest. Our top pick, Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent Granules, has a pet- and child-safe formula, pleasant scent, and rain-resistant granules that offer long-lasting protection. If you’re looking to avoid snake sightings this season, read on for our recommendations for the best snake repellent for your lawn or garden.
- BEST OVERALL: Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent Granules
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Safer Brand Snake Shield Repelling Granules
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ALL-NATURAL: Epic Repellents Snake Scram All-Natural Repellent
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PET-SAFE: I Must Garden Pet & People-Safe Snake Repellent
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LIQUID:Bonide Snake Stopper Snake Repellent Spray
↓ Jump to Review
Before You Buy a Snake Repellent
Consider the hazards of snake repellents before buying. Some scent-based snake repellents have active ingredients that can be harmful to people or pets if they come into direct contact with them. They may also have a strong odor, making the treated area unpleasant. If you have a particularly troublesome snake infestation, a multipronged approach may be necessary. Complementing repellent products with other methods, such as adding snake-repellent plants, can improve results.
Be careful when applying snake repellent for the first time. If garden snakes, bull snakes, or rattlesnakes are nearby, the application may cause them to become more agitated or aggressive. To reduce the risk of encounters, keep people and pets away during and immediately after treatment.
Snake Repellent Comparison
| Product | Type | Coverage | Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent Granules | Odored | 720 square feet per pound | Up to 30 days |
| Safer Brand Snake Shield Repelling Granules | Odored | Not listed | Up to 90 days |
| Epic Repellents Snake Scram All-Natural Repellent | Odored | 600 square feet per pound | Up to 30 days |
| I Must Garden Pet & People-Safe Snake Repellent | Odored | 64 square feet per pound (initial application), then 100 square feet per pound | Up to 30 days |
| Bonide Snake Stopper Snake Repellent Spray | Odored | 500 square feet per 32 ounces | Up to 3 weeks |
Our Top Picks
We reviewed the best snake repellents from trusted industry brands to help you keep your home critter-free. Each option is effective, easy to apply, and safe for people and pets when used as directed.
Best Overall
Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent Granules
Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart Buy at Ortho
What We Like
- Smell isn’t offensive to people
- Made with natural ingredients
- Begins working immediately
What We Don’t Like
- May need reapplying after heavy rain
Product Specs
- Type: Odored
- Coverage area: 720 square feet per pound
- Longevity: Up to 30 days
Snake B Gon is a granular, scent-based snake repellent made with essential oils of cinnamon, geraniol, castor, peppermint oil, and clove, common scents that irritate a snake’s senses. It doesn’t smell offensive to the human nose, however. The repellent begins working immediately upon application, preventing snakes from entering, nesting, and foraging in the treated area. It is safe for people, pets, and plants when used as directed.
Apply Snake B Gon by shaking the granules directly from the container and evenly covering the area you wish to protect. The formula works for up to 30 days after application. It is resistant to light rain, though the manufacturer recommends reapplying it after particularly heavy rainfall. A 2-pound package covers up to 1,440 square feet, and some retailers sell it as a two-pack to double the coverage area and increase your bang for your buck.
Get the Ortho snake repellent (various sizes) at Amazon, Walmart, or Ortho.
Best Bang for the Buck
Safer Brand Snake Shield Repelling Granules
Buy at Lowe's Buy at Tractor Supply Co. Buy at Ace Hardware
What We Like
- People and pet-safe snake repellent
- Leaves a pleasant smell for humans
- Time-release scent can work up to 3 months
What We Don’t Like
- Unlisted coverage area
Product Specs
- Type: Odored
- Coverage area: Unlisted
- Longevity: Up to 90 days
Snake Shield is a granular, scent-based repellent made with natural essential oils of cedarwood, clove, and cinnamon. While the aroma is pleasant to humans, it’s highly unpleasant to snakes. The strong scent begins working immediately to protect the treated area, and the formula is completely safe for people, pets, and plants.
To apply, shake the granules directly from the bag to create an 8-inch-wide barrier strip around or alongside the area you want to protect. Be sure the strip is continuous, with no gaps, to effectively irritate a snake’s senses and keep them out. The barrier remains effective for weeks, though reapplication may be necessary after heavy rain for best results.
Get the Safer Brand snake repellent at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Safer Brand.
Best All-Natural
Epic Repellents Snake Scram All-Natural Repellent
Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Made with natural ingredients
- Begins working immediately
- Shaker bag makes it easy to to apply
What We Don’t Like
- Requires reapplication every 30 days
Product Specs
- Type: Odored
- Coverage area: 600 square feet per pound
- Longevity: Up to 30 days
Snake Scram is a powerful granular, scent-based natural snake repellent made from essential oils of rosemary, cinnamon, clove, cedar, and garlic, along with peanut hulls and sulfur. Snake Scram is safe for people, plants, and pets, and it begins working immediately to clear snakes away from the treated area and keep them out.
The 3.5-pound package covers about 2,100 square feet. To apply, shake the granules evenly over the target area using the convenient shaker bag. The smell is strong but not unpleasant, and you’ll want to keep any unused product sealed in its original container to maintain freshness. Reapply every 30 days after the initial treatment for ongoing protection.
Get the Epic Repellents snake repellent at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Pet-Safe
I Must Garden Pet & People-Safe Snake Repellent
Buy at Amazon Buy at Walmart Buy at I Must Garden
What We Like
- Safe around kids and pets
- All-natural, eco-friendly formula
- Pleasant, mild scent
What We Don’t Like
- Limited coverage area per container
Product Specs
- Type: Odored
- Coverage area: 64 square feet per pound (initial application), then 100 square feet per pound
- Longevity: Up to 30 days
I Must Garden Snake Repellent is a natural, eco-friendly granular product designed to keep snakes away safely from areas where kids and pets also play. Made with a blend of essential oils, including cedarwood, clove, cinnamon, thyme, and sulfur, it works by irritating a snake’s sensory organs so they avoid the area. This non-toxic repellent has a pleasant scent and comes in an easy-to-apply shaker jar.
Because this pick is especially gentle, it needs to be reapplied every 2 to 4 weeks. The manufacturer recommends sprinkling it on a bit heavier at first (64 square feet per pound) and slightly lighter after that (100 square feet per pound). Although it’s rain resistant, the brand also suggests reapplying it after heavy rain. Since the I Must Garden snake repellent covers a smaller area than many picks on this list, it may be most economical to use it only for perimeter or spot treatment in areas beloved family members also frequent.
Get the I Must Garden snake repellent at Amazon, Walmart, or I Must Garden.
Best Liquid
Bonide Snake Stopper Snake Repellent Spray
Buy at Amazon Buy at Tractor Supply Co. Buy at Walmart
What We Like
- Pleasant cinnamon smell
- No mixing required
- Eco-friendly, non-lethal approach
What We Don’t Like
- Smaller coverage area; better for spot or perimeter treatment
Product Specs
- Type: Odored
- Coverage: 500 square feet per 32 ounces
- Longevity: Up to 3 weeks
Bonide Snake Stopper snake repellent spray is a convenient, ready-to-use liquid product designed to keep snakes away from outdoor areas. The formula contains a blend of sulfur, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil, all known to irritate a snake’s senses without causing them harm. It has a pleasant cinnamon scent and can be safely applied where children and pets play, provided you follow the label directions.
This product comes in a hose-end sprayer that makes it easy to apply without any mixing or tools, though it’s not recommended for use directly on crops or indoors. As with most repellents, it works best when reapplied after heavy rain. Also, this liquid pick doesn’t have as large a coverage area as the granular options on our list, so it may be more cost-effective to use it for spot or perimeter treatment only.
Get the Bonide snake repellent at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Walmart, or Bonide.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Snake Repellents
To ensure each of our top picks could get rid of snakes around homes, pets, and children, we chose only snake repellents that use all-natural or EPA-registered ingredients. Most odored products use essential oils like cinnamon, geraniol, castor, peppermint, cedarwood, clove, or rosemary to irritate and repel snakes while leaving behind a scent that doesn’t bother people. A couple contain powdered sulfur for snakes, which disrupts their sense of smell and irritates their skin, making treated areas unappealing for them to cross.
These picks all repel snakes for a few weeks to a month at a time. After that, they typically need to be reapplied, and most are capable of withstanding light rain. Some have time-release odors, come in easy-to-use spray bottles or pour bags, or begin working immediately.
What to Consider When Choosing a Snake Repellent
Snake repellents typically use scent to irritate a snake’s senses and keep them out of the area. When shopping for a snake repellent, consider these features to determine which product will best suit the location.
Strength
Most snake repellents are scent-based, which poses a challenge for scent-loving snakes. In addition to smelling through their nostrils like other creatures do, snakes employ a sensitive pair of organs in the roof of their mouth, called the vomeronasal or Jacobson’s organ, to do detailed sniffing. They flick the air with their tongues and pull in scent particles that primarily help them track their prey. Odors of scent-based repellents irritate or confuse snakes.
Odor strength, not stinkiness, is the key to success. Some of the best products use pleasant fragrances like cinnamon and clove. The best scent-based snake repellents have higher concentrations of active ingredients, so they work better and last longer.
Duration
Even someone with the worst snake phobia would get tired of reapplying repellent every day. Plus, longer-lasting products are easier on the budget. The best snake repellents stay effective for up to 3 months, although heavy rain will make even the best products dissipate faster.
Long-lasting repellency comes from higher concentrations of active ingredients and formulations resistant to rain. Higher-concentration formulas are more effective from the outset and last longer but also smell stronger.
Method
The most effective snake repellent products are scent- or odor-based because they can be applied almost anywhere. These products use various natural essential oils or chemical compounds that produce strong scents to overwhelm the snake’s sense of smell, decreasing its ability to detect prey, and may also be a physical irritant. Uncomfortable and confused snakes simply move out of the treated area.
Another type of snake repellent is the ultrasonic pest repellent. These plug-in or solar-powered devices emit high-frequency vibrations or sound waves said to irritate pests, including snakes. However, scientific studies and expert reviews show limited evidence that snakes are affected by ultrasonic frequencies since they do not rely heavily on hearing. These products may be better against rodents or insects as a supplement rather than a standalone solution.
Tips For Using a Snake Repellent
Snakes are an essential part of the natural world as they help to keep pest populations in check. But most people would rather not be surprised to find them in the backyard or inside the house. Although venomous snake bites are quite rare, they are very serious and sometimes deadly when they do occur. Even a nonvenomous snakebite is painful and can lead to infection or illness. If you have snakes or snake holes in the yard, the first course of action is to eliminate what attracts them.
Like other predators, snakes spend most of their lives either pursuing their next meal or resting. Places that commonly attract snakes are ones with food or a sheltered resting place. The most effective way to minimize the risk of snake encounters is to eliminate the habitat that supports snake prey like small rodents and large insects, as well as areas that snakes can use for shelter.
Tall grass, shrubs with dense foliage to the ground, piles of leaves and sticks, and fallen fruits and nuts make a perfect home for mice and rats, causing these areas to attract snakes. Snakes will come around to find them. Water sources like a decorative landscape pond or a low spot that holds water after rain seal the deal.
Practice proper yard maintenance to eliminate shelter and food sources that attract snakes and rodents. Mow regularly, remove landscape debris promptly, and clean up fallen fruit and nuts beneath trees.
Feed pets indoors, limit bird feeding, and cleanup pet and bird food spills. Don’t keep a year-round firewood pile that can also shelter snakes. Burn up all firewood before snakes become active in spring. Consider eliminating decorative landscape ponds and bird nest boxes, both of which can attract snakes. After removing a snake’s habitat, a snake repellent for yards and gardens can help keep them away.
- Snake repellents can drive away snakes that are still in the area after cleaning up the landscape.
- Snake repellents keep snakes out by creating an unpleasant, unwelcome environment for them.
- It’s nice to get peace of mind, knowing that your home is now a snake-free zone after a few simple changes in habitat and a straightforward application of snake repellent.
FAQs
Even though you now know more about how to get rid of snakes, you could still have a few questions. The following information should help.
When there is no food or shelter attraction for snakes, combined with an unpleasant environment, they stay away.
Snakes hate the scents of cinnamon oil, clove oil, and ammonia.
To eliminate snakes in the yard, first eliminate the habitat that attracts them and their prey. Then use a good snake repellent to drive them out and keep them out. Just as there are certain plants that repel bugs, there are also plants that repel snakes, including marigolds, onions, and garlic.
Yes, snakes can come up through the toilet, but it’s more common that they enter the house and find their way to the bathroom, where they may enter the toilet seeking water. Much less often, snakes can get into the sewer system and follow the pipes up into the toilet bowl. The most frequent route is through ventilation pipes on the roof that connect to the plumbing, which snakes can climb down and enter the toilet from above.
According to Nicole Carpenter, President of Black Pest Prevention, “Most repellents use high-frequency sound that snakes don’t hear at all or ground vibrations that don’t even bother them. There’s still nothing more effective than removing what snakes actually come for—cover and food.”
If you see a snake, give it plenty of space and time to move along on its own. For more information on how to deal with snakes and other animals on your property, see our guide on wildlife safety tips for homeowners.
Mothballs for snakes typically don’t work because, according to Black Pest Prevention’s Nicole Carpenter, “That chemical scent just isn’t strong enough and fades out quickly outdoors.” If you need help with pest control for snakes, it may be best to call a pest control company.
