Do snakes like mothballs?

Moth balls are common old-time home remedy to keep snakes away, but this old wives' tale doesn't stand the test of science. Mothballs don't repel snakes. Snakes “smell” with their tongues, so methods like mothballs that rely on odors are unlikely to deter them.
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What keeps snakes away from your home?

How to Keep Snakes Away from Your House
  1. Replace grass or mulch with gravel. Snakes can't move or hide easily on gravel and other hard surfaces.
  2. Remove bird feeders, birdbaths, and other sources of food and water. ...
  3. Keep pet food inside. ...
  4. Trim bushes and trees. ...
  5. Reconsider water features. ...
  6. Install snake-proof fencing.
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Do mothballs help keep snakes away?

If you don't want to spend money on a commercial product, napthalene is also the main ingredient found in moth balls. The smell of napthalene irritates snakes without harming them. Place mothballs in holes, cracks, crevices, or any other areas around your property where snakes may be a problem.
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What smells will keep snakes away?

What scents do snakes dislike? There are many scents snakes don't like including smoke, cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic, and lime. You can use oils or sprays containing these fragrances or grow plants featuring these scents.
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What is the best snake repellent?

If you're looking to avoid snake encounters this season, read our suggestions to find the best snake repellent for your lawns or garden.
  • BEST OVERALL: Ortho Snake B Gon Snake Repellent.
  • BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Safer Brand 5951 Snake Shield Repellent.
  • BEST ALL NATURAL: Enviro Pro 16003 Snake Scram.
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Moth Balls Detour/Repel Snakes! Fact or Fiction?



Does bleach keep snakes away?

g. Does Bleach Repel Snakes? The smell of bleach will repel snakes and if they drink it, it can kill them. However, you're more likely to cause harm to yourself, your pets, your children and your soil by using bleach than you are to deter snakes with it.
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Will cinnamon powder keep snakes away?

The truth is, snakes have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as cinnamon, clove oil, and eugenol. These are the only scents recommended by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to repel snakes.
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How do you chase snakes away from your house?

Imagine the homeowner's shock [and] frustration when they discover a snake in the house, after pouring chemicals around it religiously," Evans says. According to Evans, Jeyes Fluid is the most popular repellent and many home owners pour it around the house, either once a week or once a month to keep snakes away.
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What chemical kills snakes instantly?

Calcium cyanide is a good chemical for killing snakes taking refuge in burrows, while there are several gases that sometimes work in fumigating dens. The use of certain insecticide sprays used in a hand sprayer also has possible uses.
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What will mothballs do to a snake?

Use of Snake Repellents

As with any pesticide, make sure you read the entire label before using any products to repel snakes. Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
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How long do mothballs last outside?

One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating.
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What does moth balls keep away?

Mothballs sometimes are used illegally to repel pests not listed on labels. Some of these “off-label pests” include: squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, and snakes, among others animals. Use mothballs pesticide products to control the pests listed on the label only!
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What do snake droppings look like?

Chances are you're really wondering what snake poop looks like. For starters, it's usually brown, just like most other animal droppings. In fact, it is very difficult to distinguish snake poop from the poop of other carnivores. It may have streaks of white urea along it or a white urea cap.
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Do snakes hate ammonia?

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. You can also use vinegar to keep snakes and other pests out of your swimming pool.
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How do you get rid of an infestation of snakes?

How to Get Rid of Snakes in Your Yard
  1. Spray the Hose. If you are completely certain the snake is not dangerous, gently spray a hose at a snake from a distance to help it move along.
  2. Trap with a Garbage Can. ...
  3. Use Snake Repellent. ...
  4. Eliminate Standing Water. ...
  5. Set a Trap. ...
  6. Remove Shelter. ...
  7. Fill in Burrows. ...
  8. Keep Your Grass Short.
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Can snakes climb walls?

The answer is that yes, some species of snake are excellent climbers, and can climb walls. But not just any wall. The snake must have something to grab ahold of and push off of. Not even a rough surface will do - snakes can't "stick" to walls the way insects, rats, and lizards often do.
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Is there a spray to keep snakes away?

Bonide Snake Stopper Spray Repellent

Bonide offers a snake repellent that is suitable for covering large areas. It is safe and practical to apply, and has a pleasant smell.
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How do you know if you have a snake in your house?

Signs of Snakes in Your Home
  1. Snake skin: Many snakes shed their skin as they grow. ...
  2. Slither tracks: If you're inspecting a dusty area or crawlspace, you might notice tracks that indicate where a snake has come by.
  3. Odor: A lot of snakes have a very distinctive smell. ...
  4. Droppings: Snake droppings are very distinctive.
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Does peppermint keep snakes away?

You can use peppermint as a natural repellent for various insects and small animals that are snake food, but it does not affect snakes. There are other essential oils such as cinnamon, cedarwood, and clove that may keep snakes away from your compound but with no guarantee.
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How long does snake away last?

Snake-A-Way is a dry granular mixture which is easy to apply by lightly sprinkling around homes, cabins, trailers, camp sites, and garages and will last up to three months. Normal rainfall will not harm the Snake-A-Way.
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Do onions keep snakes away?

Strong Odor of Garlic and Onions

As with many DIY homemade repellents, garlic and onions are the stars. Snakes, like other varmints don't like the smell of garlic or onion. You can make a simple repellent using garlic and onions.
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What essential oil keeps snakes away?

Cinnamon, clove, and cedarwood essential oils will all repel snakes. (Find them all here.) It's thought that snakes think the oils will melt the scales, so they stay away from them.
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Are snakes afraid of dogs?

It's likely that most snakes won't choose to go near dogs. They're bigger, noisier, and more of a hassle than a good snack. Simply by having your dog around, you will likely help to keep snakes away.
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Where do snakes hide in a house?

Snakes are likely to settle in behind or beneath furniture or objects. Look along all the walls and in and under any baseboard heating elements. Snakes are unlikely to go into toilets but may very well end up behind them or even their tanks. Hand-held mirrors and flashlights are useful tools.
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