Got a snake problem? These reptiles can terrify many people, and the poisonous ones are downright dangerous.
Not surprisingly, many people don’t like dealing with snakes as pests and can go through any means to keep them out.
One method that’s often touted as effective in keeping these reptiles away is the use of diesel, but does diesel keep snakes away?
In a nutshell, diesel does not keep snakes away. It is ineffective, and there is no scientific evidence that pouring it on a snake will kill it. It may have an effect if the snake ingests the diesel or gets drowned in it, but generally, diesel is not encouraged because it is toxic to people.
Let’s look closely at why diesel isn’t a good choice for repelling snakes. We’ll also consider better alternatives that rank as the best snake repellants.
Does Diesel Keep Snakes Away?
Contrary to what you might have learned from somewhere, diesel is a poor snake repellent. Inhaling it doesn’t kill the snake, nor would it affect its reptilian skin.
Snakes also wouldn’t drink diesel, as they smell enough to know it won’t be a good meal. Only excessive ingestion can work, but that’s an exception to the main rule.
The dangers of sprinkling or pouring diesel around your property far outweighs the benefits.
Diesel has both short and long-term risks to the human body. The short-term hazards include irritation of the eyes, nose, lungs, and throat.
Headaches and lightheadedness are some other short-term effects. The biggest long-term effect is cancer.
Besides health problems, diesel can be a problem to the environment and global climate as a whole.
Diesel damages crops and trees and is also a cause of acid rain. The ecosystem, weather, sea level, and agriculture are some aspects of nature that feel the brunt of diesel.
Diesel is also inflammable. While this doesn’t always happen, it is still possible. You wouldn’t want to burn your house down because you’re getting rid of a snake.
But if diesel is ineffective and dangerous, why do people think it can repel snakes?
The answer lies in its nature. Diesel is a petroleum product that is toxic if swallowed by any animal. It contains hydrocarbons like benzene, xylene, and toluene, all of which can harm the brain.
Pets like cats and dogs do not like the smell of diesel too, and the burning sensation on the skin is undesirable.
Due to these many reasons, people assume that diesel works on snakes. However, there are better options.
In the following sections, we’ll look into whether or not you need a snake repellent and some of the best ones you can find in the market.
Do You Need a Snake Repellent?
There are many commercial snake repellents out there that you can use instead of diesel, but understand that no snake repellent is a 100% guarantee.
The best way to keep snakes out of your property is to remove what attracts them there in the first place.
The availability of prey draws snakes, and the more rodents you have in your environment, the more snakes there can be.
Snakes also enjoy being in gardens with dense vegetation, so another effective way to eliminate these reptiles is to trim grasses and remove holes where snakes nest.
Also, cover any cracks that could be an opening for a snake to move into your yard.
Many snakes are harmless, though, and are more scared of humans than we are of them. You can coexist with them and not have any incidents.
Moving forward, if you’re dealing with poisonous snakes or have kids and pets, you may still want faster ways to keep your environment snake-free.
Here are some of the most effective snake repellents out there.
Top 5 Best Snake Repellents we Recommend
1. Safer Brand Snake Shield
Safer Brand Snake Shield proves its name by being an all-natural snake repellent. It is ideal for a home environment and can be dropped in a garden without it affecting the crops.
Even better, this snake repellent doesn’t harm animals but keeps them off for about 90 days.
It is effective for both venomous and non-venomous snakes.
A bag of this snake repellent can cover about 3,000 feet, and it is recommended for yards and anywhere with vegetation.
Pros
- All-natural product
- Safe for gardens
- Repels both venomous and non-venomous snakes
- Can last up to 90 days
- Not harmful to animals
Cons
- It may not be effective during hotter periods
- It shouldn’t be used in a wet environment
2. Victor Snake-A-Way
The Victor Snake-A-Way Repellent Granules has been tested and thus proven to work on many snake species.
It does a good job of keeping the snake away, and it is environmentally friendly. You also don’t need to worry about it harming your kids and pets because it is safe for them.
Similar to the above brand, Victor Snake-A-Way can last up to 90 days. It also doesn’t harm snakes; it just keeps them away.
This brand can cover up to an acre of land, and you can apply them to houses, cabins, sheds, trailers, and garages.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Use almost anywhere
- Resealable bag
- Only repels snakes without killing them
- Can last for 90 days
Cons
- It isn’t very effective when it gets wet.
3. Nature’s Mace Snake Repellent
Nature’s Mace Snake Repellent works regardless of the season and is made with only natural ingredients, keeping it environmentally friendly.
It is also biodegradable and won’t affect any other animal around.
The smell of Nature’s Mace is strong enough to keep any snakes off your property, covering over 1,500 feet.
Pros
- Uses natural ingredients
- Poses no harm to the environment
- Works during any weather
- Long-lasting
Cons
- One bag alone can’t cover a large area
4. Ortho Snake B Gon Granules
The Ortho Snake B Gon Granules has the significant advantage of a low cost, and those who wouldn’t want to spend too much on a snake repellent should consider this product.
Another advantage of this repellent is that humans don’t smell the granules; only snakes do.
Ortho Snake B Gon Granules is also friendly to the environment as the essential oils used are not toxic to plants. The oils only serve to repel the snakes.
Pros
- Odorless to humans
- Safe for the environment
- Cheaper than other options
- Uses essential oils
Cons
- Not long-lasting and has to be reapplied.
- Not effective in rainy weather
- Not effective against all snake species
5. Exterminator’s Choice Natural Snake Repellent
The Exterminator’s Choice Natural Snake Repellent comes last on our recommendation, but it is just as effective as others we’ve mentioned.
It puts a barrier of 3 feet that snakes can’t go through, and it works for both venomous and non-venomous snakes.
The Exterminator’s Choice combines essential oils and a strong odor to fight against snakes.
Like others, this snake repellent is environment friendly, even more than granules that contain some poison.
It can also be spread without you having to touch the product.
Pros
- Works on both venomous and non-venomous snakes
- Easier to apply than granules
- Uses an essential oil mixture
- Environmentally friendly
Cons
- Some users don’t like the smell
- Not long-lasting and needs to be reapplied.
Related Questions
Can fuel kill a snake?
Fuel can only be effective in killing a snake if you light a snake on fire, but it isn’t a good tool for getting rid of snakes. The fuel properties are toxic, and there are better ways to get a snake off your property than burning it.
Gasoline is not effective on snakes, same as diesel and fuel. All of these shouldn’t be considered when looking for a good option for getting rid of snakes.
Are all snake repellents harmful?
Many snake repellents are considered safe, so claiming they can all be harmful is wrong. However, you must be sure which repellent you want to use to avoid getting any unsafe ones.
Also See:
What Does A Snake Nest Look Like? (All You Should Know)
Final Thoughts
There are better ways you can get rid of snakes rather than resort to unsafe diesel.
The snake repellents mentioned above are all environmentally friendly, and you don’t need to put your health at risk too.
You can also opt for other methods we have suggested in this above to keep snakes off your yard.
Featured Image Credit: Jennifer Thornhill / Getty Images
