Author: Alpha Wildlife
Credentials: NWCOA Certified Wildlife Control Operators
Description: Veteran-owned wildlife removal specialists serving Tennessee, South Carolina, & Kentucky since 2018
Last Updated: June 9, 2026
Quick Answer
Garlic might work, but it’s not proven to be effective.
Even though garlic is commonly recommended as a natural way to keep snakes away from your home, there is little evidence to support it. According to Mississippi State University Extension, many commonly recommended snake repellents have shown inconsistent results, which is why experts typically recommend habitat modification and exclusion as more reliable long-term solutions.
The truth is that snakes aren’t attracted to your home because of the smell. They are attracted due to things like rodents, bird feeders, tall grass, wood piles, crawlspaces (shelter), and water.
If you truly want to keep snakes away from your home, you should remove all potential snake hiding places, seal all entry points to keep out rodents like rats and mice, and move bird feeders far away from your home. The idea is to make your property as unattractive to snakes as possible.
If all else fails, you can always call Alpha Wildlife for a free snake inspection of your home.
Does Garlic Repel Snakes?
All you have to do is search for natural snake repellents or plants that repel snakes, and you’re bound to see an article on garlic.
We’ve read several blogs where homeowners swear by the stuff.
However, there’s not much evidence to support this claim and we can’t say this will 100% work for you.
The idea is that garlic contains sulfur compounds that create strong odors and chemical cues that snakes supposedly dislike.
This sounds like it would work, but…
Snakes smell things differently than humans do.
Not only do they get scents from their nostrils, but they also use their tongues to “smell.”
That’s right, when you see a snake flick its tongue in the air, it’s actually collecting chemical particles from its surroundings.
So, while garlic is usually recommended on gardening websites and social media, it is not generally considered a proven snake-control method.
Trust me, if garlic really solved snake problems, we wouldn’t be responding to snake calls almost every day.
Let’s leave the garlic for spaghetti sauce and vampire movies. Don’t count on it to keep rat snakes out of your home or cottonmouths out of your yard. That’s what we’re here for.
If you need snake removal in Memphis, our team is ready for your call!
Why Smells Don’t Keep Snakes Away
As mentioned earlier, snakes smell things differently than humans. With their tongue flicking tricks, they use chemical cues to help locate food, navigate their environment, and identify potential threats.
These creatures are also highly motivated by their survival instincts.
If a snake comes across a home that offers shelter, protection, and food (rodents), a strong scent won’t keep them away long.
Think of it like this: you’re on your way to a fancy restaurant and you’re ready for a big, juicy steak. However, before you walk in, you catch a whiff of an overfilled dumpster nearby.
Do you hop in the car and grab a burger on your way home?
Nope, you go in there and chow down on some premium beef.
The same thing goes for snakes. If your home checks all of the boxes, they couldn’t care less what smells are in the air.
Repulsive smells might not keep snakes away, but we can. If you need snake control services in Nashville, Alpha Wildlife is here to help!
What Smells Do Snakes Actually Hate and Which Ones Do People Really Use?
This will be a fun one.
We are always asked what smells or natural remedies will permanently keep snakes away.
Let’s dive into this.
Garlic
According to the internet, this stuff is the end all be all for keeping snakes away. We’ve heard of customers planting garlic and onions in their flowerbeds, using garlic spray around their homes, and even sprinkling garlic powder in their yards.
Sounds good, but there is limited evidence to support it. Many people use it, but we’re not convinced snakes actually hate it.
Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon is a great scent for fall, but will it drive snakes away? Research shows that some snakes will leave an area if they are directly exposed to it.
However, for long-term snake prevention, cinnamon is not considered a solid solution.
Sulfur
If you’ve ever been in a gym locker room, you’ve probably been hit with the classic “rotten egg” smell.
Protein farts are brutal, but do snakes hate the sulfuric (rotten egg) smell just as much as us?
Honestly, the results are inconsistent and usually temporary. Probably not the best idea to have your flower bed reek of this. Unless you want to keep your neighbors away too.
Vinegar
We’ve all used vinegar in some capacity and I’m sure we’ve all had the same thought once we open the bottle.
“Gahh, that stinks!” Do snakes feel the same way?
We’ve read that vinegar can help keep snakes away from ponds and gardens, but there is little evidence to prove it is a reliable snake control solution.
My opinion: don’t be that person who stinks up the community by spraying vinegar all around your home. It might work, but if it doesn’t, you’re going to have snake problems and angry neighbors.
Mothballs
We’ve heard this one quite a bit. Mothballs repel snakes and other pests.
Well, mothballs are pretty ineffective outdoors and are not a reliable way to keep pests out.
I can assure you that our team does not reek of sulfur and we won’t drop mothballs around your yard. If you need same-day snake removal in Knoxville or snake trapping in Chattanooga, give us a call today!
What Plants Repel Snakes?
So, you’re looking for some natural ways to keep snakes out of your yard.
Not a bad idea!
However, please keep in mind, that no plant is guaranteed to keep snakes off your property.
While there isn’t a ton of research on this, I can share what many homeowners swear by to keep snakes from slithering in their flowerbeds.
Below are plants that are commonly believed to help keep snakes away.
- Marigolds
- Garlic
- Lemongrass
- Lavender
- Rosemary
We wish you success in your landscaping snake prevention project. Just remember, these plants might work, but it’s not guaranteed.
If you have a flowerbed full of lemongrass and rosemary and you still have snake problems in Columbia, our team has proven solutions for you.
What Actually Attracts Snakes?
You remember the scene in Home Alone when Harry points to the McCallister house and says “that’s it, Marv, that’s the silver tuna?”
Think of that like a snake looking at your home.
The question is: what actually attracts snakes to your yard, crawlspace, or home?
I hate to break it to you, but snakes don’t simply follow smells. They are attracted to homes by food, shelter, water, and environmental conditions rather than attractive smells.
Rodents
One of the most common reasons snakes are found around homes is the presence of rodents. Rats and mice are one of their primary food sources, so snakes will follow them onto your property and into your home.
If you have rats in your in your attic or mice in your crawlspace, snakes won’t be far behind.
Bird Feeders
Snakes don’t have a hankering for bird seed, but they do for the rodents that bird feeders attract.
If you have a bird feeder in your yard, we recommend you move it as far from your home as possible to keep pests (and snakes) away.
Tall Grass & Wood Piles
Tall grass, firewood stacks, leaf piles, etc. are perfect hiding spots for snakes. We’ve heard numerous stories of homeowners spotting a snake hiding out under a wood pile in their backyard.
If you want to keep snakes away, keep your grass cut short and all wood (and leaf) piles away from your home.
Water Sources
Like all creatures, snakes need water to survive. In especially hot areas like Tennessee and South Carolina, snakes are constantly looking for water sources. Leaking spigots, standing water, ponds, and other wet areas are open invitations for snakes.
Crawlspaces
If you have foundational gaps or damaged crawlspace vents, it’s easy for rodents to invade and make themselves at home. The problem is snakes will follow them into your crawlspace in search of food.
Our team can easily seal foundational gaps, repair damaged crawlspace vents, and make your home less desirable for snakes and other critters.
Just like Kevin McCallister, we can easily trap the bad guys. If you need snake trapping services in Charleston or snake removal in Louisville, we’re always available for your call.
Final Verdict: Does Garlic Repel Snakes?
Garlic might discourage some snake activity in certain situations, but it is not a proven solution to keep snakes away.
The most effective way to keep snakes away is to make your home less desirable for them. You need to remove food sources like rodents & bird feeders, seal up crawlspaces, keep your lawn cut short, eliminate wood and leaf piles, and reduce standing water on your property.
It might not be as exciting as planting a ton of garlic bulbs or a wall of marigolds in your flower bed, but it has a better chance of actually working.
Need Professional Snake Removal?
Alpha Wildlife provides humane snake removal and control in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Columbia, Charleston, & Louisville.
Whether you’re dealing with a snake in your crawlspace or a snake in your backyard, our team is here to help.
Contact Alpha Wildlife today for a free snake inspection!
Does Garlic Repel Snakes? – FAQs
What smell do snakes hate the most?
There is no universally proven smell that all snakes hate. Garlic, cinnamon oil, clove oil, sulfur, and vinegar are among the most commonly recommended options, but scientific support varies.
Do marigolds repel snakes?
Marigolds are often promoted as snake-repellent plants, but there is little evidence proving they reliably prevent snake activity.
Does garlic powder keep snakes away?
Garlic powder may temporarily discourage some snake activity, but it should not be relied upon as a primary snake-control method.
Do mothballs repel snakes?
Generally, no. Mothballs are one of the most common wildlife-control myths and are often ineffective outdoors.
What attracts snakes to a yard?
Rodents, bird feeders, tall grass, wood piles, crawlspaces, and water sources are among the most common attractants.
Do bird feeders attract snakes?
Not directly, but they do attract mice, rats, and other pests. Since rodents are a major food source for snakes, they’ll follow them to bird feeders. So, bird feeders can indirectly attract snakes.