Why Snakes Keep Coming Back to Your House (Most Repellents Fail)

Snakes don’t just randomly show up at your house—and they definitely don’t leave just because you spread a repellent.

If you keep seeing snakes around your home, crawl space, porch, or yard, there’s a reason. In this video, I explain why snakes keep coming back, why most snake repellents fail, and what actually works long-term.

We break down:

• What truly attracts snakes to a property
• Why ultrasonic devices, mothballs, and DIY fixes don’t work
• How crawl spaces, vents, and ducts become entry points
• The difference between repellents and exclusion
• How crawl space encapsulation helps remove food, water, and shelter

Snakes follow food, moisture, and shelter—not smells or sounds. Until those issues are addressed, you’ll keep fighting a losing battle.

Products:

Premade Snake Repellents and Exclusion:

Snake Out, Biodegradable, Safe for Pets and Children, Easy Application for Yards, Gardens, and Sheds, 4 lbs: https://amzn.to/4jBO8BR

Snake-A-Way Outdoor Snake Repelling Granules 4lbs: https://amzn.to/4jBOacX

Snake B Gon1 - Snake Repellent Granules, No-Stink Formula: https://amzn.to/4qOgHhJ

Safer 5951 Snake Shield Granular Repellent: https://amzn.to/3LnZyfR

Dalen Large Fake Owl Decoy: https://amzn.to/4qpHTnk

Steel Wool, Stops Rats & Mice: https://amzn.to/49xACKF

Copper Mesh, Stops Rats & Mice: https://amzn.to/3NhPA07

Garage door seal: https://amzn.to/3Nsg7Yw

Snake Repellent Ingredients for Recipes:

Wettable Sulfur Powder, Organic & Natural: https://amzn.to/49Apyg7

Kukka 100% Pure Natural Cinnamon Oil: https://amzn.to/3Ln6NEN

Kukka 100% Pure Natural Clove Essential Oil: https://amzn.to/4qHvLNW

Granulated Garlic Powder: https://amzn.to/3YygALh

Mosquito Barrier Liquid Spray Repellent: https://amzn.to/3LwOHAe

Pure Castile Liquid Soap Organic: https://amzn.to/3L9Kwu8

One-Hand Pressure Sprayer: https://amzn.to/4qOirHN

Crawl Space Products:

Dehumidifier: https://supply.crawlspaceninja.com/products/crawl-space-ninja-dry-pro-70-pint-dehumidifier
 Vapor Barrier: https://supply.crawlspaceninja.com/products/12-mil-crawl-space-vapor-barrier

Seam Tape: https://supply.crawlspaceninja.com/products/crawl-space-ninja-seam-tape-single-roll
 Vent Covers: https://supply.crawlspaceninja.com/products/foundation-vent-covers
 Spray Foam: https://supply.crawlspaceninja.com/products/spray-foam-insulation-kit

Zen Garden Oasis Channel

How To Keep Poisonous Snakes Out Of Your Yard (Homemade Recipe)

https://youtu.be/1pekBl-qCLA?si=h1RS0A3WUYxm-LOK

#snakerepellent #poisonoussnake #snakecontrol

Chapters

• 0:00 Why Store Repellents Fail
• 0:31 Understanding Why Snakes Show Up
• 2:10 Food Sources And Bird Feeder Traps
• 2:53 Crawl Spaces As Prime Shelter
• 4:14 Exclusion Over Repellent
• 4:30 Crawl Space Encapsulation Steps
• 6:40 Yard Maintenance That Deters Snakes
• 7:24 Natural Repellents That Work
• 10:44 Products To Avoid And Why
• 12:37 Recap And Practical Next Steps
• 14:01 Viewer Actions And Resources

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:00

Hey, Michael Church with Crawl Space Ninja, and I've got some bad news for you. That snake repellent you just bought at the hardware store, there's a pretty good chance it's not gonna work. But here's the thing there are natural ways to keep snakes out of your yard and out of your crawl space that actually do work. And today I'm going to show you exactly what they are. Now, before we get into the natural repellents that work, I need to tell you something that most people don't understand about snakes. Snakes don't just randomly show up at your house. They're not out there thinking, hey, that looks like a great place to hang out. They're coming to your property for very specific reasons. And if you don't understand those reasons, you're going to be fighting a losing battle. So in this video, I'm going to walk you through everything you need to know about keeping snakes away naturally. We're going to talk about what attracts snakes to your yard and your crawl space in the first place, because if you don't fix that, nothing else matters. Then I'm going to show you the natural exclusion methods that actually work. Things like crawl space encapsulation and sealing up entry points the right way. After that, we'll get into the natural repellent products that have real science behind them. And I'll be honest with you about their limitations because I'm not going to sell you snake oil. And finally, I'm going to tell you about the products that don't work. So you can save your money and your time. Let's get into it. So, what attracts snakes? The first thing you need to understand is this. Snakes are coming to your property because you're giving them exactly what they need to survive. And I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. You see, snakes need three things they need food, water, and shelter. That's it. If your property provides those three things, you're going to have snakes. It's that simple. Let's break down their food sources. So, what do snakes like to eat? They enjoy rodents, insects, bird eggs, and small amphibians. So if you've got mice running around, if you've got a chipmunk problem, if you've got a bunch of insects, guess what? You're running a buffet for snakes. And here's something most people don't think about bird feeders. I love birds just as much as the next person, but if you've got bird feeders that are close to your house, you're attracting rodents that come for the seeds that fall on the ground. And those rodents attract snakes. I remember one time I got called out to do an inspection for a crawl space, and the homeowner was telling me that they had snakes on their screened-in porch. And when I went out there to take a look, sure enough, they had a bird feeder hanging right next to their porch. The birds were dropping seeds, the chipmunks were coming in to eat the seeds, and the snakes were coming in to eat the chipmunks. It was like a nature documentary happening right on their screened-in porch. The second thing a snake needs to survive is shelter, and this is where crawl spaces come in. Crawl spaces are like five-star hotels for snakes. They're dark, they're cool in the summer, they're protected from predators, and if you've got moisture down there, which a lot of crawl spaces do, you've got insects and sometimes rodents. So you've got food and shelter all in one place. It's perfect for them. And here's the thing snakes can get into your crawl space through openings you wouldn't believe. We're talking about gaps as small as a quarter of an inch. That's about the thickness of two quarters stacked on top of each other. They can get into foundation vents that aren't sealed properly, crawl space doors that don't seal tight, especially those old wood doors that have warped over time, gaps around pipes and utilities, cracks in the foundation. These are all entry points for snakes. And once a snake gets into your crawl space, it can find its way up into your living space through gaps in the floor, around plumbing penetrations, HVAC penetrations in the subfloor, unsealed ductwork connections, and electrical penetrations. You name it, and a snake can find it. So now that you understand what's attracting the snakes, let's talk about how to fix it naturally. So here's something that might surprise you. The most effective way to keep snakes out isn't a repellent at all, it's exclusion. What I mean by that is physically preventing the snakes from getting to those places you don't want them. And when it comes to your crawl space, there's one method that works better than anything else: crawl space encapsulation. Now we do crawl space encapsulation all the time, and I can tell you from experience, when you encapsulate a crawl space properly, you're not just keeping snakes out, you're also controlling moisture, improving your indoor air quality, and making your home more energy efficient. So if you're looking to do this yourself, here's what crawl space encapsulation involves. First, you're going to seal all those foundation vents. A lot of people don't realize this, but those vents are actually doing more harm than good. They let in moisture, they let in pests, and yes, they let in snakes. You can get vent covers specifically designed for this on our DIY store, and I'll put a link to that in the description. Second, I recommend you install a heavy-duty vapor barrier on the floor and up the walls and wrapping the pillars of the crawl space. And I'm talking about a thick, durable liner, not that thin plastic stuff you find at the hardware store. And guess what? You can get that on our DIY store as well. This creates a complete moisture barrier and eliminates the damp environment that attracts insects and rodents. Make sure you overlap the seams by at least 12 inches and tape them with proper vapor barrier seam tape. Third, you need to seal all the gaps and penetrations in the crawl space. Every pipe, every utility line, every crack. You're going to seal it up with the right materials. And I'm not just talking about throwing some spray foam in there and calling it a day. Here's how to do it right take steel wool and stuff it into the gaps first. This prevents the rodents from chewing through. Then seal over the steel wool with expanding foam. That combination is what really works best. And fourth, this is really important. You need to install a good commercial crawl space dehumidifier to control moisture. Even with the vapor barrier, you can still have humidity issues, especially in the summer months. And a good crawl space dehumidifier will keep your humidity levels below 60%, which is what you want. That dry environment is going to make your crawl space a lot less attractive to snakes, insects, and rodents. Now that's for your crawl space, but what about your yard? Here's what you need to do: keep your grass cut short, typically below three inches. Snakes hate short grass because there's no cover. Remove debris like wood piles, old equipment, and stacks of lumber. Get rid of it or move it at least 20 feet away from your house. Seal gaps under your garage door. We use a special garage door seal that creates a tight barrier on the door when it closes. Again, I'll put a link to that in the description. You also want to trim your shrubs up to about 12 inches off the ground. Don't let them touch the ground and don't let them touch your house either. You want to eliminate hiding spots and prevent snakes from using them as a bridge to get to your home. Alright, so that's the exclusion part. But what about repellents? Do any of them actually work? Let's talk about that. Before we dive into the repellents, I want to give a big shout out to Zen Garden Oasis' YouTube channel, especially their video, How to Keep Poisonous Snakes Out of Your Yard, homemade recipes. A lot of these natural recipes come straight from their research and experience. Remember, natural repellents can work, but they're not magic. They're most effective when used alongside exclusion and good yard maintenance. So repellent number one is a sulfur-based powder mix. The sulfur-based snake repellent involves taking equal parts powder sulfur, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder, mixing it together in a bucket. Make sure you wear a mask and gloves. This stuff is pretty potent. Then you want to use a handheld duster to apply a 12 to 18 inch wide band around the area you want to protect, typically your patio, your garden, your play areas, and even that crawl space door. So why does this work? Snakes have a super sensitive sense of smell. Sulfur and garlic overwhelm their senses and drive them and your mother-in-law away. Some limitations are this product is not waterproof, so reapply after heavy rain or every couple of weeks in the summer. The good news is it's cheap and easy to make. Repellant number two is an essential oil spray. Another Zen Garden Oasis favorite is his essential oil spray. It includes one tablespoon of cinnamon oil, one tablespoon of clove oil, one gallon of warm water, two tablespoons of liquid dish soap that helps it to mix and stick. Mix it up in a pump sprayer, and then spray a 12-inch band around the area you want to protect. And by the way, all of these ingredients are listed in the description if you want to find out more. So why does that work? Again, strong scent overwhelms a snake's sensory system. The good news about this product is the smell actually fades for humans over a few hours, but still works for the snakes. It does need to be reapplied after heavy rain. So repellent number three is a garlic oil spray. Zen Garden Oasis also recommends this garlic oil spray to deter snakes. You're going to use a quarter cup of concentrated garlic oil, like the mosquito barrier found in the description of this video, and add one gallon of water. You're going to spray it the same as above. All the other products, you want at least 12 to 18 inches around the area you want to protect. But the cool thing about this product is it also repels mosquitoes and ticks. Now, I know not everyone has the time or the ability to mix up these recipes, or maybe you just want something ready to go. If that's you, I recommend you check out the product Snake Out, and the link is in the description. Snake Out uses a lot of the same ingredients found in these homemade recipes, but it's pre-mixed and super easy to apply. It's a great option if you want the benefits of natural repellents without the hassle of mixing and measuring. Whether you decide to create your own recipe or use the products like Snake Out, remember repellents work best as part of a complete system. Combine them with the exclusion and good yard maintenance and crawl space encapsulation for best results. And oh by the way, don't forget to hit that like and subscribe button. Now before we wrap this up, I need to tell you about some of the products that don't work. And I'm telling you this because I don't want you to waste your time or money. The first thing that doesn't seem to be that effective are mothballs. I cannot tell you how many times I've shown up to a property and seen mothballs just scattered everywhere, under decks and crawl spaces, around foundations, even up in the attic. And here's the problem motballs are not very effective at repelling snakes. The concentration just isn't strong enough. But more importantly, and this is the big one, it's actually illegal to use mothballs outdoors. Did you know that? You see, mothballs are registered as a pesticide, and by federal law, you can only use them as directed on the label. The label says to use them in enclosed containers not scattered around your yard. Plus, they're toxic to your children, your pets, and your local wildlife. The second thing is ultrasonic repellents. You've probably seen these advertised. Little devices that plug in and emit high frequency sounds that are supposed to repel snakes. Here's the truth: there's no scientific evidence that these work on snakes. Snakes don't have external ears. They sense vibrations through their jaw and body, but these ultrasonic frequencies don't affect them, so save your money. The third thing is most commercial snake repellents. Now I'm not saying all of them are bad, but a lot of the products you see at the hardware store are basically just expensive dirt with a little bit of a scent added. If you're going to use a commercial repellent, look for ones that contain either nephtiline or sulfur or cinnamon or clove in high concentrations. And make sure you read the reviews. If it's got a bunch of one-star reviews saying it doesn't work, it probably doesn't. Alright, so that's what doesn't work. So let's recap everything we covered today. Snakes are attracted to your property because you're providing food, water, and shelter. If you've got rodents, insects, moisture, and hiding spots, you're going to have snakes. The most effective way to keep snakes out is through exclusion. That means sealing the foundation vents and the crawl space doors, installing heavy-duty vapor barrier, sealing around all the gaps and penetrations with steel wool and expanding foam, installing a crawl space dehumidifier to control moisture, keeping your grass cut short, removing debris, trimming shrubs properly, sealing gaps, and make sure you seal those gaps under your garage door. Natural repellents can work as an additional layer of protection. The ones that actually have science behind them are sulfur-based mixtures with cayenne and garlic, cinnamon and clove oil sprays, concentrated garlic oil sprays like mosquito barrier, but remember they do need to be reapplied after heavy rains, and they work best when combined with proper exclusion methods. And avoid wasting your money on mothballs, ultrasonic repellents, and cheap commercial products that don't have good reviews. Now I know dealing with snakes can be stressful, especially if you've got kids or pets. But the good news is you can take control of your property, you can make it a place where snakes don't want to be. If you found this video helpful, hit that like button. It really helps us out and lets YouTube know that this content is valuable. Second, drop a comment below and let me know have you ever had a snake problem? What did you do about it? I read all the comments and I try to answer as many as I can. Third, if you want to try any of the products we talked about, make sure you check out the links in the description. We've got everything listed there the repellents, the vent covers, and remember, using those links helps support our channel at no extra cost to you. My name is Michael Church with Crawl Space Ninja. I really appreciate you watching this video and I hope you make it a happy and blessed day, and we'll see you later.