Do Snakes Really Hate Garlic?

Lots of people think garlic keeps snakes away. They plant it around their houses, hoping snakes won’t come near. But does it actually work?

No, snakes do not hate garlic. This is just a myth. Garlic will not keep snakes away from your yard or house. If you’re hoping to use garlic as snake repellent, you’re going to be disappointed.

Whether you’re worried about your kids playing in the yard or you just don’t want any surprise snake encounter, finding ways to keep snakes away is totally understandable.

And garlic seems like such an easy solution. It’s cheap, you probably already have some in your kitchen, and it’s natural.

How Snakes “Smell” the World

To find out if garlic works, we need to learn about how snakes sense what is near them.

Snakes do not smell like humans or dogs. They don’t use their noses the same way. Instead, they use their tongues.

Snakes flick their tongues in the air. They collect small particles from the air or ground. Then they pull the tongue back into their mouth.

Inside their mouth is a special organ called the Jacobson’s organ. This organ reads the smells and helps the snake understand what’s around.

This is how snakes “smell” and “taste” the world.

Because of this, snakes are very good at detecting smells. But that doesn’t mean they hate strong smells.

Why Some People Think Snakes Hate Garlic

People have used garlic for a very long time. They used it to cook and as medicine. They also used it to keep bugs away. Some people even thought garlic could scare away vampires!

Garlic has a strong smell. So, some people believe it can keep snakes away too. Their idea is simple: if garlic smells bad to people, maybe snakes don’t like the smell either.

They say if you put garlic near doors or in the garden, snakes will stay away.

That sounds like it could work. But it doesn’t.

Do Snakes Really Hate Garlic?

Scientists haven’t really studied garlic and snakes much at all. Most of what we “know” about this comes from people sharing stories – what we call anecdotal evidence.

You’ll hear someone say, “I put garlic around my garden and haven’t seen a snake since!” But then another person will try the same thing and still find snakes in their yard.

There is no science that shows garlic works every time. In fact, some snake experts say garlic has little effect at all.

In one experiment, scientists crushed garlic and placed it in a glass aquarium with plains garter snakes (Thamnophis radix). They found the snakes were not affected by the garlic at all.

Snakes do have a good sense of smell. They may notice garlic. But that doesn’t mean they will run away from it.

Many people mix garlic with oil and spray it around their homes. They hope this keeps snakes out. But again, this does not really work.

Why People Keep Believing This Myth

Even though science shows garlic doesn’t work, people still believe it does and there are many reasons why.

First, it’s been passed down through families. Your mom tells you garlic works. Your grandma told her the same thing. When someone you trust tells you something, you believe it. It’s only natural.

Also, many people do not like dealing with snakes. So when someone says “Just put some garlic around your house,” it sounds great. It’s cheap. It’s easy. You already have garlic in your kitchen. Of course, you want to believe it works.

When you put garlic around your house and don’t see any snakes. You think, “The garlic worked!” But there are lots of other reasons you might not see snakes.

Maybe it’s too hot or too cold outside. Maybe there aren’t many snakes in your area anyway. Maybe the snakes are busy somewhere else hunting for food. You just happened to not see snakes.

In short, the fact that you used garlic, and did not see any snakes was just a coincidence.

Are There Any Smells That Snakes Avoid?

Some people think other strong smells work too. Things like:

• Clove oil
• Cinnamon oil
• Vinegar
• Lime juice
• Ammonia

You can buy snake sprays made with these. But the results are all over the place.

Sometimes a snake will avoid these smells for a little while. Other times they just don’t care. And here’s the thing – even if it works today, it might not work tomorrow.

Also, if a snake is really hungry or looking for a good hiding spot, a bad smell won’t stop them. They’ll push right through it.

Better Ways to Keep Snakes Away

Instead of worrying about what repels snakes, it’s better to understand what attracts them. Snakes come to your yard for three main reasons: food, water, and shelter.

Here are several things you can do to keep snakes away from you.

1. Keep Mice and Other Small Animals Away From Your House

One of the easiest ways of keeping snakes away is to get rid of the “snake food” (prey animals) you have in or around your house.

You can do this by getting rid of trash piles, or anything that may attract rodents or insects.

Ensure that food scraps are disposed of properly, as rats and mice are attracted to places where they can find food.

Also, avoid leaving uneaten pet food outdoors, and consider storing any bird seed in rodent-proof containers.

In essence, make sure there is nothing in or around your house that can attract mice or other animals that snakes prey on.

2. Remove Water Sources

Like us, snakes need water to drink. They also like to cool off in water when it’s hot. If you have a pond, birdbath, or even just a leaky hose, snakes might be attracted to it.

It’s important to fix leaky pipes and hoses. Don’t let water collect in containers. If you have a pond, consider fencing it.

3. Seal All Entryways

Block off as many possible entryways to your house as possible, to reduce the chance of a snake slithering inside.

Screen all outside vents, seal cracks and holes around the foundation, and make sure doors and windows fit tightly.

In addition, seal off access to basements and crawlspaces.

Many adult snakes can squeeze through spaces only a few inches wide, so even tiny holes should be blocked off.

4. Keep Your Grass Short

Tall grass provides the perfect cover for snakes to hide in. It also attracts mice and other small animals that snakes prey on.

Keep your grass, and other vegetation around the house short. This will discourage snakes from coming into your yard, and into your home.

It will also make it easy to spot the snakes that do end up in your yard so you can get rid of them.

5. Clear Dead Leaves and Other Dead Vegetation

Snakes love to hide under dead logs and leaf litter on the ground around your house.

Getting rid of these will keep snakes away because they will have fewer places to hide.

6. Keep Firewood, Compost Piles, and Other Types of Debris Away From Your Home

Snakes love to hide in well-covered areas outside. Compost piles or stacks of firewood and lumber are the perfect places for snakes to hide.

If these are kept close to the house, snakes can easily make their way inside.

Store firewood, lumber, and other piles of debris away from your home.

6. Be Vigilant During the Warm Seasons of the Year

Snakes and other reptiles are most active when the temperatures are warm.

Be alert during this time of the year and watch for any snakes that may end up in your yard, so they do not get inside your house.

Conclusion

No, snakes don’t really hate garlic. There’s just no solid proof that it works. Sure, some people swear by but the science doesn’t back them up.

Snakes might smell the garlic. But that doesn’t mean they’ll turn around and slither away. If a snake wants food or a good hiding spot, it won’t care much about some smelly garlic.

Want to actually keep snakes away? Clean up your yard. Seal up your house. Get rid of the mice and rats they’re hunting.

Feel free to try garlic if you want. Just don’t count on it.