We’ve all heard these claims – that human urine can act as a repellent to some animals but an attractant to others. Well, that’s true. Some animals can’t stand the smell of our urine, while others seem drawn to it.
Perhaps you’re interested in finding out what side of the spectrum snakes fall on. Does human urine attract or repel snakes? Well, that’s a question I used to ask a while ago. So, I took it upon myself to dig deep and find whether snakes find human urine offensive or attractive.
And in this article, I have so much to share about how human urine affects snakes! So, whether you’re looking to keep snakes away from your property, or you’re just curious about how your urine affects these reptiles, this article is for you.
Does Human Urine Repel Snakes Away?
Well, human urine doesn’t seem to have any effect on snakes. It doesn’t repel them away, nor does it attract them. So, I don’t recommend using it to keep snakes off your home. If you want to deter these scary scaly creatures from your home, try methods already proven to work (and don’t smell as bad).
To begin with, the idea of using urine to deter snakes isn’t an odd one. The smell of human urine puts off many animals. For instance, deer and rodents are known to fear the smell of human urine. So, if you’re battling with either, you’ve just found your newest weapon. These creatures will do everything they can to stay away from the smell of human urine.
But the same can’t be said of snakes. Of course, snakes dislike the smell of ammonia, so saying that you can’t deter them with urine may sound a bit misleading. Urine does contain ammonia, so in theory, it should work to keep snakes away.
But here’s the thing – snakes don’t have the keenest sense of smell. In fact, they don’t even have noses! They smell with their tongues, which pick up particles in the air and send them to a special organ in the snake’s mouth. But the ammonia in human urine may not be potent enough for snakes to pick up on.
Do Snakes Hate Human Urine?
There’s no scientific proof on whether snakes hate human urine. Even so, ammonia isn’t the nicest of smells for snakes, and they’ll do all they can to avoid it. So, as long as human urine provides adequate ammonia, snakes will try to stay away from it.
And as already said, ammonia content in human urine is low. And of course, you don’t want to apply full-strength human urine to your yard as it can damage plants. Now, diluting it even further would make it even less effective. So, if you’re looking for a way to deter snakes with urine, I’m sorry to say that human urine isn’t really your best bet. Try something else.
What Smell Keeps Snakes Away?
Snakes dislike the smell of onions, garlic, cinnamon, cedar wood essential oils, naphthalene (moth balls), and sulfur. So, if you have any of these things around your home, they might do the trick in keeping snakes away.
Of course, you could also go the chemical route and use a commercial snake repellent. But I don’t recommend that as they often contain harmful compounds that can harm humans, pets, and the environment.
Also, when using repellents like naphthalene, remember that you could also endanger other wildlife. That’s why most states have laws prohibiting the use of mothballs outside. So, if you have to use them, only do so inside your home.
What Will Naturally Keep Snakes Away?
You can keep snakes away naturally by using fox urine, vinegar, cedar oil, Mother in laws tongue, and other natural repellents. Preventing intrusion is way better and will rid you of the stress of having to eliminate them once they’re already in your home.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you can use to keep snakes off your home;
1. Fox Urine
While human urine may not do the trick, fox urine will. Snakes know that foxes are predators and will do everything they can to avoid them. So, using white or red fox urine around your home will effectively keep snakes away. The product is available for purchase online. One thing, though; if you live in areas with a high fox population, using fox urine may attract them to your home.
2. Vinegar
Another great thing you can use to keep snakes away is white vinegar. Chances are you already have a bottle of this household cleaner in your kitchen cabinets, and so, you may actually not need to buy it.
Vinegar’s high acidic content will repel snakes and keep them from coming into your yard. And to use, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it around the perimeter of your home.
3. Cedar Oil
Cedar oil will not only keep snakes away but also make your yard smell great. Add a few drops of cedar oil to a spray bottle filled with water and apply it around the perimeter of your home.
4. Mother in laws tongue
It’s a great plant around your home if you’re trying to keep snakes away. The mother in laws tongue is highly aromatic and will effectively repel snakes. All you need to do is place a few potted plants around your yard, and you’ll be good to go.
5. Garlic Sprays
There’s something about garlic that snakes can’t stand. So, by using a garlic spray around your home, you’ll effectively keep them away. Mix equal parts of water and garlic in a spray bottle and apply it around the perimeter of your home.
6. Lemongrass
Last but not least on our list is lemongrass. This herb does well at repelling snakes and other unwelcome guests, including mosquitoes and ticks. All you need to do is plant the herb around the perimeter of your house or even position several potted plants in your homestead. They’ll do a great job in diverting vipers away from your home.
Does Human Urine Works as a Natural Animal Repellant?
Yes, human urine can sometimes work as a natural animal repellent. It is commonly used in gardens to deter pests like deer and rabbits. It also works for some rodents and some cats. Diluted, the human urine will still feel more pronounced to the animal, which is why it can be an effective repellent.
However, it only deters some animals. Plenty of animals could care less about human urine, so it’s not a foolproof method by any means. And for some, it even acts as an attractant, and bears are a case in point.
So, if you’re trying to keep bears away from your campsite, don’t pee around them. And in case you think your pee might go unnoticed, keep in mind that bears have the keenest sense of smell of all terrestrial animals. In fact, bears’ sense of smell is estimated to be seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s.
What Smell Do Snakes Hate?
Some of the smells that snakes hate are those you probably have in your home. Cinnamon, garlic, cloves, smoke, and ammonia are just a few. If you have oils and sprays containing any of these, you already have all it takes to keep the legless critters away.
Using products containing any of the smells listed above is a great way to avoid snakes. You could also try using a commercial snake repellent. However, I don’t recommend that as they often contain harmful chemicals that can harm humans and the environment.
What Chemical Kills Snakes Instantly?
Calcium cyanide, bleach, and strychnine in eggs are some of the chemicals that can kill snakes instantly. However, remember that some of these chemicals can also have fatalistic consequences for humans. So, if you have to use them, be very careful lest you harm yourself.
Also, before you poison snakes, remember that some species are protected by law. So, as much as you want to eliminate them from your home, killing some snakes can land you on the wrong side of the law.
That’s why I highly recommend that you avoid killing snakes. Just find a way to deter them from your home. And as usual, you can always seek the help of professional snake removers if you’re having a hard time getting rid of them on your own.
But better yet, put in place measures that will prevent snakes from getting into your home in the first place.
How To Keep Snakes Away From Your Home?
You can keep snakes away from your home by making your space less inviting to them. That means minimizing food sources, keeping the grass short, domesticating snake predators, and the list goes on and on.
Let’s take a closer look at these measures;
1. Minimize Food Sources
Snakes find their way into homes in search of food. So, if you want to keep them away, you need to reduce the number of potential food sources around your home. That means removing rodents, lizards, and other small animals that snakes may see as prey.
2. Clear Hideouts
Snakes may also come to your home because it has everything they need for a good shelter. So, clear out any potential hideouts. Get rid of clutter, remove piles of leaves and debris, and fill in any cracks or holes in your foundation.
3. Keep Snake Predators Around
Another clever way to avoid snakes around your home is to keep their predators nearby. If possible, domesticate animals like chickens, guinea fowls, turkeys, pigs, and cats. These animals will help keep the snake population under control.
4. Don’t Chase Away Raccoons
You might think that getting rid of raccoons will make your home less inviting to snakes. But the opposite is true. Raccoons often eat snakes, so getting rid of them will only make your home more attractive to snakes.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should start attracting raccoons to your property. But if you have them around, don’t go out of your way to get rid of them.
5. Maintain Grass Short
Long grass is the perfect hiding place for snakes. So, if you want to keep them away, you must keep your grass short. Short grass will make it harder for snakes to hide and easier for you to spot them if they’re around.
6. Make Use of Snake-Proof Fence
You can also keep snakes away by making use of a snake-proof fence. This is a physical barrier that snakes won’t cross. So, if you’re serious about keeping them away, this is a great option.
There are many different types of snake-proof fences on the market. So, research and find one that will work for your home.
Final Verdict
While human urine won’t repel snakes, we have several proven ways of keeping them away from your home. So, take action and put these measures in place to deter them. And as always, if you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.