Introduction:

South Africa is a country with rich biodiversity, including a diverse range of snake species. As urbanization continues to encroach upon natural habitats, human-snake interactions in urban areas have become increasingly common. This article explores what attracts snakes to homes and potential solutions surrounding these encounters.

What attracts snakes to a property?

There are three main things that attract snakes to homes:

1. Water.
2. Food Source.
3. Places to Hide.

Below we discuss these, and other potential things that attract snakes to homes, fake remedies and real solutions.

1. Outdoor lights on, or near, residences.
   At night, outdoor lights attract insects which are preyed upon by frogs, geckos and other animals. This of course attracts snakes which feed on the geckos and frogs. As outdoor lights are often needed for security then a good measure is to keep doors and windows closed to prevent snakes from entering these buildings.
2. Branches or bushes against occupied buildings.

   Often snakes will gain access to homes through open windows via bushes growing against walls and windows. Tree branches growing close to houses can give snakes access to a roof or windows. In many cases these will be harmless bush snakes but it is possible for venomous snakes like cobras, boomslang and vine snakes to enter homes this way. To prevent snakes entering this way, keep bushes trimmed away from windows, and keep tree branches trimmed away from occupied buildings.

3. Standing water.

   Ponds, dams, swimming pools, buckets of water, pet water bowls will all potentially attract thirsty snakes. Additionally, if f you live near a water source such as a stream, river or lake, there is a good chance there will be snakes around too.

4. Yard rubble, clutter and litter.
   Building material or yard items like shade-cloth, bricks, wooden poles, roof sheeting, boards, etc are perfectly suitable for snakes to hide under, especially if stacked.  Building materials, litter and rubbish will also attract rodents, which in turn attract snakes. Keep your yard clear of rubble, clutter and litter. If this is not possible then try keep such piles of items as far away from any human residences as possible.
   
   

Fake Remedies

1. Anti-snake sprays, fluids and ultrasonic devices.

   Don’t waste your money on ‘Snake Repellent’ sprays and other devices –  these products have been extensively tested and do not work.  Jeyes fluid, petrol or other strong smelling fluids will NOT work either, and they are damaging to the environment.   The only prevention that works is a snake proof fence – as described in the Solutions below.

2. Burning Rubber tyres of toxic materials.

   Burning rubber, plastic or other items won’t help either. Smoke rises away from snakes on the ground and under the ground. Snakes will be able to detect smoke or fire danger and this will cause them to seek shelter away from the fire and avoid being burnt. It may even chase them into your home.
   
   

Solutions

1. Keeping water and food source to a minimum.

   Keeping your garden clear of piled items and rubbish will help reduce snakes coming onto and staying on your property. If you have a well-planted garden with rocks and logs this will also attract snakes so then its best to get to know your local snakes – then you know what to expect.

2. Awareness:
   It is a good idea to get to know the dangerous and harmless snakes in your area, this way you know what you are dealing with. Download any one of the Regional Snake Posters and learn to identify the dangerous snakes that occur in your area.  Also look at the various Snake Profile Kits which we have for both dangerous and harmless snakes.

   Keep the numbers of local snake catchers on hand. If you see a snake try and get a photograph from at least a meter away. This will help the snake catcher identify the snake and decide on a course of action.

3. What snakes can I co-exist with?

   Some harmless snakes, such as brown house snakes, herald snakes and bush or green snakes often live in or near human residences and can be left to be, without causing a problem. In fact you can observe and enjoy them knowing they are harmless.  Bush or green snakes often take up residence in the eaves of roofing, here they feed on geckos and help keep gecko numbers down. Herald snakes will eat frogs and toads and will often be found on properties with ponds, pools or near a river, stream, dam or wetland. Brown house snakes offer good rodent control and are beneficial to have around.  These snakes are easy to identify if you look for the key features.

   Given the right situation and awareness of snake behaviour and habits, it is even possible to co-exist with certain venomous snakes on your property.  A lady in Pretoria had a large vine near her house which housed several boomslang.  She would enjoy watching these snakes while she enjoyed her morning tea.

4. Snake proof fencing.

   If you need to prevent snakes entering your property you can build a perimeter fence with poles and shade-cloth dug at least 50cm into the ground, and at least 1 meter high. This will prevent most snakes and other creatures entering your property. Shade-cloth gaps or overlaps, such as by a gate, can be closed with velcro or a zipper.

Conclusion:

Living safely with snakes in urban areas requires understanding their needs and taking smart preventative measures.  There is no foolproof way of preventing snakes coming onto your property so it is best to understand how to identify your local snakes, and learn what to do should you encounter a snake. You can minimise encounters by being aware of and reducing  standing water, outdoor lights, cluttered yards, and access points via foliage or branches. Learn to identify local harmless snakes like house snakes and heralds, who can be beneficial allies in pest control. If venomous snakes pose a concern, invest in a shade-cloth perimeter fence.