Can lime repel snakes? This guide explains how to use lime for snake control.
The thought of snakes lurking around a home will send a cold chill down the spines of most people. Apart from the fear of being bitten, the sight of a snake is mostly repulsive for a majority of humans.
The “majority” being mentioned here because there are people who actually love snakes, but that isn’t the focus of our discussion.
Instead, we’re discussing the effects of lime on these reptiles.
Simply put, does lime repel snakes? This is an interesting question because people will use just about any means necessary to ensure their surroundings are free of snakes.
Does Lime Repel Snakes?
A little online research will churn out tons of articles affirming the efficacy of lime on snakes. Are such claims true? Sadly they aren’t! Let’s be clear, lime has no negative effects whatsoever on snakes.
In other words, lime does not repel snakes.
This information might be depressing for persons who have long held on to the belief of lime’s “potency” against snakes. So what’s the proof?
Well, according to Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources, no element, inclusive of chemical and mineral compounds has been found to repel snakes.
Sorry for disproving a long-held belief you had about lime, but consider this information timely and a clear path to finding what works. With lime out of the way as a possible snake repellent, what works?
Luckily, there are several implementable steps ways to keep snakes at bay.
What’s Your Particular Snake Problem?
Sounds weird right?
Well, you’ll have to figure out whether your snake problem falls under those which have taken up residence around your property or whether you just want to apply precautionary measures.
Simply put, snake problems can be categorized under existing infestation and potential or possible infestation.
For each of these scenarios, several actions can be applied to deal with the problem.
Treating Active Snake Infestation
This type of action is largely reactive. Here, repelling a snake is only considered after coming across one or more snakes around your property.
Snakes can easily take up residence within and around your property. Although this sounds scary, you’ll need to find ways to tackle the problem head-on.
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Call Wildlife Conservation
One of the safest ways to remove snakes that have taken up residency within or around your home is by calling wildlife conservation.
These are pros skilled in snake handling. Now, snakes are known for their venom although not all are venomous. Whatever the case, you don’t want to get bitten to find out.
Wildlife control safely removes such snakes and returns them to their natural habitat as far off as possible.
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Have Snake Repellent Plants Around your Property
One of several effective snake repellent strategies includes growing snake repellent plants around your home’s perimeter. Certain plants are known to have natural properties that ward off snakes.
Examples include mugwort, marigold, pink agapanthus, and mother-in-law’s tongue.
Others are snakeroot, lemongrass, Andrographis paniculata, and garlic. Snakes are irritated by these plants. This is mostly due to their strong or sensitive sense of smell.
They hate the smell given off by such plants and will keep their distance.
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Apply Essential Oils
Certain natural oils are known to be effective snake repellents.
All-natural oils have been proven to keep snakes at bay. This research was carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) – a subdivision of the U.S Department of Agriculture.
Essential oils found to work include clove and cinnamon oils. You can apply this knowledge to take back control of your home or yard.
Simply apply either in spray form or soak cotton balls in these oils and have them placed at strategic points.
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Deploy Humane Traps
This method isn’t for the faint of heart. Here, humane traps are placed along snake routes or close to their dwellings. This is mostly performed by trained wildlife control technicians.
When trapped, these snakes have to be relocated to a safer habitat.
Preventive Action
Unlike the first method where an active infestation is noticed before treatment, prevention seeks to safeguard your property from snake incursion. This is achieved through several effective measures.
The snake repellent plant option also applies here.
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Treat your Pest Issues
Overlooking common pest problems such as mice and insects around your home won’t only cause them to overrun your property. Asides from damage caused, these are fed on by snakes.
As part of the food chain, rodents, frogs, insects, grubs, and slugs among others are readily preyed on by snakes.
An increase in the population of these pests is likely to serve as an incentive for snakes to stick around your home.
With ample food supply comes a prolonged stay of snakes within your property. You also want to regulate how frequently you water your lawns.
Wet lawns attract insects, grubs, and all sorts of ready prey. It’s no surprise that snakes will love such conditions and stay.
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Never Leave Overgrown Grass Unattended to
Overgrown grass, including lawns, provides ample cover for snakes. An effective way to repel them is by removing such cover. Have your lawn mowed as frequently as necessary. This reduces hiding spots, thus making your surroundings less inviting.
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Have a Fence Installed
Another effective way to keep snakes off your property is by installing a fence around it.
However, not all fence types will work as snakes can climb over. A fence having a rigid mesh is preferable. Such fence should be at least 2 feet tall and should be buried to a depth of two to four inches.
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Have Door and Window Screens Installed
Door and window screens are useful against several pests including snakes.
Not only should these screens be installed, but they must also be tightly fitted to ensure complete closure. Persons with such provisions in place are already safeguarded to some degree.
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Your Drains and Vents Can Serve as Entry Points
Drains and vents can be exploited by snakes to get into your property. You’ll need to prevent such from happening by covering such points with galvanized screening.
Lime has no repellent effect on snakes. In its absence, there are several other ways to keep snakes off your property. These have been provided above.
However, there are other ways to use lime for pest control.