Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

This is a guide about getting rid of garter snakes. Although these innocuous snakes are not poisonous, they can still be undesirable in a yard or garden.

Solutions: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

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Use Rope To Deter Snakes

To get rid of any snake, use sisal rope. Put it where you don't want the snake. Because of the soft underbelly of the snake, it will not cross over the rope. This is an old cowboy trick handed down by my family.

My husband had been plagued by snakes in his shop for about a year now. I finally remembered this and since he has put the rope around doors and places where they come in, he has not had any snakes in his shop. He did average about three a week.

By Lynn from Dallas, TX

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Questions

Here are questions related to Getting Rid of Garter Snakes.

Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

I have a family of garter snakes living in my concrete patio off my family room. It has cracks in it and that's how they go in and out. They really wouldn't bother me at all if my little dog didn't think of them as toys. If I don't watch him every minute he's outside (which I can't because I need to use a doggy door when I'm out of the house for work), the next thing I know there's a dead (or mostly dead) garter snake or two in my family room.

I called someone who deals with things like this and all he said was I should pour bleach into the cracks. That this would either kill them or make them leave the area. So I did what he told me to do. I didn't see any snakes for 2 days, but now they're back! There has to be a better way. Please help.

By Susan S.

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Most Recent Answer

By sweezykay03/28/2012

Be very careful with moth balls. If the little dog can get to them in the cracks and eat one, he will die from it. I know from experience!

Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

Do moth balls or Clorox help keep garter snakes away from the house and yard?

By Cindy from Omaha, NE

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By belladef9708/06/2010

I found 5 garter snakes in my bathroom yesterday. I'm not sure where they came in or how long they have been there, but how do I get rid of them and could you tell me why they are in my home and how they got into my house. Please and thanks, because me and my 2 sisters are terrified of snakes and bugs and my brother has to like kill everything for us but we didn't kill the snakes he thinks there cute. Anyways my sister got out of the shower and almost died cause there was a snakes on the floor. Then we found four more later that night, please, please help.

Controling Garter Snakes In Doorway

I have a problem with garter snakes between my storm door and the door to my house on the lower level. They like to lie there to sun themselves. Also, they have been known to have their young in the crack between the concrete pavement and the cement slab of the basement for the house. It is very annoying. I'd appreciate any input anyone might have as this problem is recurring yearly. Thanks in advance.

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Carol from Wyoming, PA

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By SweetCali4009/05/2007

When I lived in Arkansas, we used Sevin Dust. It's a powder you sprinkle around your yard or house to keep the bugs and crawly critters away. You can buy it at Wal-Mart, any home improvement store, Ace Hardware ect...

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Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

How do I get rid of gardener snakes in my basement?

Christina M. from Sioux Falls, SD

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

God Bless you, my friend. I know how you feel. I've had garter snakes nesting between the sidewalk and foundation of my house for several years. They come inside the house too on the lower level. There is nothing quite like watching tv and noticing a snake on the floor beside you. I am deathly afraid of snakes of all types. Anyway, I learned through the internet (actually a fellow from Australia) that snakes don't like anything with a pungent odor. I bought some spray that smelled of the liniment made with Capzasin (hot peppers). Now I put anything I can find that has a really strong smell in that crack to discourage snakes from nesting there. My cousin's wife pours cold water on the ones that nest under her porch. I think even that helps. You have to make it so they don't like it there. lol BTW, I heard that garter snakes have live births not the eggs that I envisioned. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but I believe it. My heart goes out to you. Good luck. (05/16/2008)

By Carol in PA

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

I also have a huge phobia of snakes. We have many gardens around our house and a pond in the back. The garden snakes just love it here. I found a product at Lowes called "snake away" last spring. I bought five cans of it and put it around my gardens and the pond. I am a big fan of this product. It cut down the snake sightings here by more than half. I would see about 10 snakes in my yard on any given day in the summer, now with this product, I may see one. It smells very strong, but it is worth it if you have a snake problem. (05/26/2008)

By Mark

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

Garter snakes don't harm anyone. Why would you want to kill them? You may be scared of them but they're more scared of you. Just leave them alone and if you see one in your house get a net and move it down the street (don't kill). (05/26/2008)

By matt

Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

We have removed 9 gardener snakes and drove them about 5 miles away and dropped them in a swampy area. One snake had his tail missing, and 2 weeks later, we just caught another gardener snake with his tail missing. Same sized snake as the previous snake removed. With this distance in play, can they find their way back home to our garden area and yard? Thank you for the help.

Brett and Stacy

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

Hubby said, yes, they will come back to their home ground. He said he only knows of 2 ways to get rid of them: kill them or buy some Flowers of Sulfur (powder that comes in a plastic bottle that you can get at a drugstore or pharmacy) and sprinkle it around. He said the snakes don't like sulfur and will leave, but that they are good about killing any bugs you have around. Your choice. Good luck! (05/30/2008)

By gonecrazyhunting

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

The gardener snake is a harmless reptile small, but when grown large these animals have a nasty bite. Though they are not poisonous, do not touch these creatures because they tend to slither around in poison oak and sumac. If you wish to get rid of them, please do it humanely. I suggest putting rotten peppers where you have these snake problems or using the product "snake-a-away". (07/03/2008)

By Matt Finzel

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

(submitted via email)

Hi, I have family in your town, and Aneta, and snakes! Okay I am trying moth balls today, and going to try snake away from Lowe's, so hope that helps. I am not afraid of them. I am just tired of being spooked!

Jackie (09/05/2008)

By jess

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

I just found a baby garden snake in the wall of my basement. I used duct tape to tape the area it was trying to escape and the next day it was stuck to the duct tape still alive. Duct tape - Ace True Value, but if there is one is there more, and a Mom?

I am beyond phobia and trying not to have a heart attack since finding. Help. Any suggestions? Don't want to kill, just remove permanently. (09/06/2008)

By Annie

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

(Submitted via email)

Every summer the same problem with snakes in my backyard. Have a solution for me?
Thank you, Guy (04/05/2009)

By Sally_Admin

Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

We have garden snakes. I am so scared of them and have seen so many of them that by now I don't want to be nice anymore and want them killed. We already built a porch in front of the house to avoid them, but this is a sunny area and they like to be around. I got used to them in the garden, but yesterday I found one inside the porch and I am ready to move. Help anyone? I am scared to death.

Hardiness Zone: 7b

By Ravine House from Toronto, ON

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

Go to your local garden center and ask for some sulfur. Then, spread it by hand (cannot use spreader as it is too sticky) around your porch, and around the perimeter of your yard if it's not too big. At any rate, spread it in a line around anywhere you will be. For some reason, snakes won't cross sulfur. Tried and true! Good luck and God bless you. (06/25/2009)

By tedsmom

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

Rat Terriers love snakes. Get a cat. Move to Ireland (just kidding). Work on getting over your phobia. Garter snakes are "good" snakes. Good luck!

MykalA (06/25/2009)

By MykalA

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

I live in FL., and we have lots of snakes here. I have a fear of them also so I understand where you're coming from. It doesn't help when people tell you to get over your phobia. Snakes, spiders, fear of the dark, and thunder and lightning are the 4 biggest fears. My Dr. told me so.

Anyway, you can buy a product called Snake-a-Way. You sprinkle it around the area where you've seen them. For whatever reason they don't like the stuff and will leave. It smells just like mothballs, but it must have something more in it. I tried the mothball thing and walked outside only to find this huge black snake slithering right over the mothballs!

Once again, don't let anybody tell you to "get over it". I myself can't wait until I can move from FL. Wherever I go, it's going to be a condo with no yards to take care of. (06/25/2009)

By lovethosehounds

RE: Getting Rid of Garter Snakes

I understand your fear because snakes can be startling with their fast movements, and unexpected presence. After your initial fright it is important to think rationally though. Your property will be in worse shape without the snakes than with them. They are there for a reason. They destroy pests that are more harmful such as rats and other rodents. They help in the balance of nature. By all means use deterrents such as Snake Away, but please don't kill them, they mean you no harm and are actually beneficial. (06/25/2009)

By merlene