Snakes – the scaly, legless creatures. Not many find the sight of these creatures appealing. In fact, many people are downright afraid of them. And unfortunately, snakes seem not to be very discriminate about where they decide to show up.
And so, let’s assume you were doing your daily routine around the home when suddenly, you see a snake slithering across your path. Unfortunately, you’re strapped for options. The only thing you have within reach is a bottle of bleach.
Well, you’ve used it to deter and kill other pesky pets like spiders around your home. But how about when it comes to these slender, dangerous creatures? Will bleach kill or repel a snake? Well, read on to find out.
Does Bleach Kill Snakes?
Yes, bleach can kill snakes. Bleach gives off the smell of carbolic acids; something snakes try as much as possible to avoid. And when ingested or inhaled, the chemicals in bleach can kill snakes through poisoning. But before you use this cleaner for the job, know that you may land yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Bleach remains one of the most versatile household cleaners. Whether you want to get whiter laundry, disinfect surfaces or get rid of mold and mildew, this product can do the job. But have you ever known that you can use it to kill snakes?
Well, bleach does kill snakes, theoretically! The ubiquitous household cleaner contains chemicals that can poison snakes when ingested. So, as long as it’s possible to get the snake to ingest or inhale the bleach fumes in considerate amounts, you can be sure that the snake will die.
But before you stretch your hand to that bottle of bleach in storage, know that killing snakes with bleach is illegal in some states. Yes, as much as most people back off at the mere sight of these scary creatures, some wild snakes have legal protection.
Unfortunately, you just can’t tell the difference between a snake that’s protected by law and one that isn’t. So, to play it safe, you’d rather find a way to get rid of the snake from your premises without killing it.
Does Bleach Keep Snakes Away?
Yes, bleach can keep snakes away, but only for a while. You see, bleach gives off fumes that snakes hate. So, if you spray or pour bleach at the notorious snake entry points, it would do the magic of keeping your home snake-free. Even so, this household cleaner will only act as a repellent to snakes for as long as the fumes last.
Before I proceed, it’s worth mentioning that snakes don’t have a sense of smell, per se. Instead, these feared critters use their forked tongues to sweep through the air, collecting particles that give off certain scents. When the tongue brings these particles back into the mouth, they stimulate special receptors in the Jacobson’s organ.
Now, different particles will stimulate different receptors in Jacobson’s organ. And depending on the type of stimulation, the snake will either be enticed or repelled. So, in the case of bleach, the fumes stimulate receptors that send signals to the brain telling the snake to stay away.
So, as long as they don’t have a sense of smell, you can rest assured that the strong scent of bleach won’t go unnoticed by these slithering creatures. So yes, you can use bleach to deter snakes from entering your home.
Will Bleach Kill a Baby Snake?
Of course, yes! Bleach will kill baby snakes when they inhale or ingest it in high enough amounts. But as we’ve already said, be careful when killing snakes as you could violate the law and end up paying a huge fine.
Every living creature starts their lives as babies. And as they grow, they get stronger and less vulnerable to their environment. So, it’s no surprise that baby snakes are way more delicate than their adult counterparts.
For one, they don’t have fully developed immune systems like their adult counterparts. So, any exposure to toxins such as bleach can be fatal to them. Also, their organs are not yet fully developed, making it easy for them to succumb to poisoning.
All these factors make baby snakes more susceptible to chemicals than adults. So, if you’re wondering whether bleach can kill a baby snake, the answer is a resounding yes!
Even so, we discourage you from using this method. After all, baby snakes also deserve to live, and you could even attract trouble with the law by killing them, especially if you’re in states that have laws protecting certain snake species.
Does Vinegar Keep Snakes Away?
Yes, vinegar is an effective snake deterrent and will keep snakes away from your home. Snakes hate the smell of vinegar, so expect this household cleaner to repel these slithering creatures. But don’t settle for just any type of vinegar. Only white vinegar is effective at keeping snakes at bay.
Vinegar is another multifunctional household cleaner that serves a variety of purposes. From cleaning your kitchen countertop to unclogging your drains, this acidic liquid seems to have a solution for everything.
And yes, if you’re considering using it for snake control, you’re on the right track. You see, vinegar is not just an effective snake deterrent but also a natural and eco-friendly solution. So, for a safe and humane way to keep snakes off your home, this is it.
But before you start spraying vinegar all over your home, there’s something you need to know. Only white vinegar is effective at keeping snakes away. Other types of vinegar, such as apple cider and balsamic vinegar, won’t work.
That’s because there seems to be something in white vinegar that doesn’t do well with snakes. As far as we know, it’s the high acidity level that does the trick. So, if you’re looking for an effective snake repellent, make sure to use white vinegar.
But again, that doesn’t mean vinegar will kill a snake. No, not at all! As much as it has everything to keep the scaly scary creatures away, vinegar doesn’t possess the properties that can kill snakes. So, only expect white vinegar to help drive snakes away but not kill them.
Will Clorox Bleach Kill a Snake?
Clorox bleach is a powerful disinfectant and will kill a snake if ingested in high enough concentrations. But while it can be fatal to snakes, we don’t recommend using bleach to kill them. That’s because there are more humane and effective ways to get rid of these pests.
Besides, killing snakes is illegal in some places. So, before you start dousing these creatures with Clorox, make sure to check your local laws first. And even if there are no laws against it in your state, we still urge you to find a more humane way to eliminate snakes.
Actually, if you can find a method to drive them away, that would be best. That way, you won’t have to kill them and risk getting into trouble with the law.
And speaking of driving snakes away, there are plenty of snake repellents you can use. We’ll be looking at that in a moment. But first, let’s examine the potency of bleach to kill snakes as well as some of the clever ways to prevent snakes from coming into your home in the first place.
How Long Does It Take Bleach To Kill a Snake?
How long it can take bleach to kill a snake will depend on how strong the bleach is and how much was ingested. But in most cases, it won’t take more than an hour or two before the snake is dead.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should leave the snake to suffer for hours while waiting for the bleach to take effect. No, that would be inhumane. In fact, that’s why we don’t recommend using bleach to kill snakes. This household cleaner will make snakes die a slow, painful death.
How To Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard?
You can keep snakes out of your yard by making your home less attractive to them. Remove any accessible food sources, trim bushes and trees, and, if possible, replace grass with gravel if you live in areas with a high snake population. As long as you make your home less inviting for snakes, they won’t have any business slithering into your home.
Snakes are attracted to places that provide them with food and shelter. So, if you can make your yard less inviting to these creatures, they’ll stay away. And yes, below are some measures to keep snakes out of your property.
- Remove any accessible food sources: Keep all pet food inside, remove bird feeders from your yard, and seal any garbage cans.
- Trim bushes and trees: Snakes love hiding in these places. So, if you can trim them down, you’ll make your yard less attractive to these pests.
- Replace grass with gravel: If you live in an area with a high snake population, you might want to consider replacing your grassy lawn with gravel.
- Declutter your yard: Clutter provides snakes with a perfect hiding spot. So, remove any piles of wood, debris, or rocks in your yard.
- Use snake-proof fencing: This is probably one of the most effective ways to keep snakes out of your yard. But of course, it’s also one of the most expensive.
- Use natural repellents: If you don’t want to use chemicals, you can always go for natural repellents. Cinnamon and cayenne pepper have been known to work well in keeping snakes away.
Natural Repellents To Get Rid of Snakes at Home
We have several natural repellents that you can use to get rid of snakes. You can use odorous, audio, or even physical snake repellents. As long as you deploy them properly, they should be able to keep snakes away from your home.
Odorous Snake Repellents
These repellents work by releasing a pronounced smell that snakes hate. It’s this smell that will drive them away from your home. Below are some of the most common odorous snake repellents:
- Mothballs: Mothballs contain naphthalene, a chemical that emits a pungent smell. This smell will irritate snakes and make them want to stay away from your home. To apply, scatter mothballs around your yard or in the areas where you think snakes might be hiding. One thing, though, is to be careful when using mothballs, as they can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
- White Vinegar: Spraying white vinegar around your home will also help keep snakes away. Just sprinkle white vinegar around the perimeter of your home. You can even water it down if that’s what you think works best for you. The smell of vinegar will deter snakes and keep them off your home.
- Smoke: There’s something about the smoke that snakes just can’t stand. Snakes will stay away from your property if you have a fire going. You can also use a smoker to drive snakes away.
- Onion and Garlic: They have sulfonic acid, the same component that leaves us with teary eyes after cutting them. Sulfonic acid is a strong irritant to snakes and will make them want to stay away. Just mix them with rock salt and sprinkle them around your home.
- Clove & Cinnamon Oil: Combining these elements in a spray bottle and spraying directly on snakes can effectively drive them away.
- Ammonia: The pungent smell of ammonia is also very effective in keeping snakes away. Place a bowl of ammonia around the areas where you think snakes might be hiding. Alternatively, you can spray ammonia solution in the affected area or even dip a rug in it and leave it in a place snakes are likely to slither over.
Audio Snake Repellents
These repellents work by emitting a high-frequency sound that irritates snakes and drives them away. You can use ultrasonic devices or sonic pulses to keep snakes away from your home.
- Ultrasonic Devices: These devices work by emitting a high-frequency sound that’s inaudible to humans but very irritating to snakes. These devices effectively prevent snakes, but you must use them properly. Place them where snakes are most likely to be found, such as near cracks, holes, or openings.
- Sonic Pulses: These devices work in a similar way to ultrasonic devices. But instead of emitting a continuous sound, they emit a series of pulses that irritate snakes. These devices are also effective in keeping snakes away from your home.
Physical Snake Repellents
These repellents work by creating a physical barrier that snakes can’t cross. For instance, you can use a snake-proof fence or pour powdered sulfur at your home’s common snake entry points. The former is more effective but also more expensive.
Final Verdict
Snakes and humans have been great enemies from time immemorial. That’s why these creatures are unwelcome in most homes. And while bleach can kill and even drive them away, that’s not the only way to deter snakes. And as usual, you can always call animal control to help eliminate the snake.
But again, it’s much better to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. If you can follow the provided tips, chances are you won’t ever have to deal with snakes in your home.