What Smells Will Keep Snakes Away? (And What Actually Worked for Me)

I didn’t expect to ever Google “what smells keep snakes away,” but here we are. After spotting a skinny brown snake slithering a little too close to my front steps, I went down a rabbit hole of natural repellents, home remedies, and old-school advice. I don’t hate snakes—I just don’t want them hanging out where I live. So here’s what I found, what I tried, and what actually seemed to make a difference.

Clove and Cinnamon Oil (Surprisingly Strong)

Clove and cinnamon oil were recommended on just about every list I found—and after trying them, I understand why. These oils have a strong, spicy scent that’s unpleasant to most reptiles, especially snakes. Apparently, the high concentration of eugenol (in clove) and cinnamaldehyde (in cinnamon) acts like a natural irritant to their tongues and skin. It’s not harmful if used carefully, but it’s enough to make snakes think twice about sticking around.

I mixed about 15 drops of each essential oil into a spray bottle with water and spritzed it along the foundation of the house, corners of the patio, and near the garden bed where I’d seen movement. I repeated it every few days or after heavy rain. The best part? It actually smells kind of amazing—like fall in a bottle. I liked walking outside and catching that warm, spicy scent. The snakes, apparently, did not.

If you try this, avoid saturating plants directly, and always keep oils away from pets—especially cats, who can be sensitive to essential oils. But for keeping snakes out of high-traffic areas? This one was a winner.

Garlic and Onion (Works, But It’s Pungent)

Garlic and onion both contain sulfur compounds that are known to deter many pests—snakes included. The idea is that the smell seeps into the soil and air, making the area feel “toxic” to their sensitive sense of smell (yes, snakes smell through their tongues). I crushed several garlic cloves, mixed them with chopped onions and boiling water, let it cool, and then poured it around the perimeter of my yard.

I won’t lie—it smelled like a stew gone wrong. My neighbors probably thought I was warding off vampires. But for a few days, I noticed fewer critters overall, and that patch of yard felt noticeably quieter. It’s not a long-term fix—you’ll need to refresh the mix every 3–5 days—but if you’re dealing with stubborn visitors and don’t mind the smell, it’s worth a try.

Some people even bury garlic cloves near doorways or fence lines for a longer-lasting effect. I tried that too—no snake sightings since.

Vinegar—Especially for Water Areas

Snakes tend to be drawn to water—ponds, pools, birdbaths, even puddles—because water means prey. I read that pouring vinegar around water sources can create a mild barrier. White vinegar irritates the skin of snakes and also interferes with their ability to “taste” the air (their main method of navigating).

I poured a line of vinegar along the edge of a small garden pond in the back, as well as around the base of the hose spigot where water often collects. The smell was strong at first, but it faded quickly in the heat. Still, I noticed no new tracks or slithers in the damp soil. I now reapply once a week and especially after it rains or I’ve watered the plants heavily.

It’s not a magical snake-proofing solution, but for keeping water-loving snakes at bay, vinegar definitely seemed to make the area less inviting. Just don’t pour too much near delicate plants, and make sure pets don’t have direct contact with it when it’s fresh.

Ammonia—Strong But Not My Favorite

So many forums recommended ammonia that I had to try it. The method I used involved soaking rags in household ammonia, placing them in zip-top bags with small holes, and leaving them near entry points or shady spots where snakes might hide. Ammonia’s smell is so sharp and irritating that it’s said to drive away all sorts of animals, not just snakes.

And it worked—but wow, did it smell awful. Every time I walked past one of those bags, I felt like I was back in a high school chemistry lab. It was almost too effective—unbearably harsh for me, not just the snakes. I kept them out for a few days, but eventually moved them further away from common areas because the odor was overwhelming.

If you have an outdoor shed or crawl space where people rarely go but snakes might hide? Ammonia could be a powerful repellent. Just be careful not to spill it, and don’t use it near animals, kids, or anywhere you plan to spend time. It’s effective—but not exactly friendly.

Lemongrass and Citronella (Bonus: Mosquito Control)

Out of everything I tried, lemongrass was the most pleasant. I planted it along the back fence after learning it has snake-repelling properties—and bonus: it keeps mosquitoes away too. Lemongrass contains citronella, which snakes apparently dislike because it overstimulates their sensory receptors.

I didn’t expect instant results, but over time I noticed the yard just felt… calmer. I wasn’t seeing movement in the mulch, no strange trails in the dirt, and fewer bugs in general. I also started using citronella essential oil in an outdoor diffuser during evenings, just to boost the effect. Whether it’s coincidence or not, I haven’t seen a snake since planting it.

If you like gardening or want something that looks and smells beautiful and serves a purpose, lemongrass might be your new best friend. Just keep in mind—it thrives in sun and needs some space. But it’s a low-maintenance addition that pays off in more ways than one.

Other Smells People Swear By (But I Didn’t Test)

While I stuck to natural options, I came across a few more smells people swear by—like mothballs, sulfur powder, and commercial snake repellents. I didn’t use them for two reasons: most of them are toxic to pets or the environment, and honestly, they just didn’t align with how I wanted my outdoor space to feel.

That said, I know people who’ve used mothballs around garages and sheds and said they worked—though the smell was unbearable. Some repellents claim to mimic predator scents, like fox urine, which supposedly frightens snakes away. I just wasn’t ready to have that smell lingering around my garden. But if you’re really desperate and don’t mind going hardcore, there are definitely more industrial-strength options out there.

Final Thoughts

What I’ve learned is that no single smell guarantees a snake-free yard, but layering a few repellents and creating an environment they don’t like does work. For me, clove and cinnamon oil gave the fastest results, while lemongrass and vinegar helped maintain a “don’t even think about it” perimeter.

I now refresh my oils every week, water the garlic blend into the soil once a month, and keep my outdoor areas tidy—no tall grass, no cozy hiding spots, no standing water. It’s not about being anti-snake—it’s about boundaries. And honestly? The air smells pretty great too.