Expert: Ronald B Persaud - 10/6/2009

Question
Is there anything I can do, or spray on my lawn, to keep snakes away?  I have six small dogs, and I'm very concerned that in the last couple of months I've seen three different black snakes about a foot to two feet long.  I live with a spring behind my house. Please advice if there's a remedy.
Thank You!

Answer
I do not know that there is a 'remedy' but here are my thoughts.
Wildlife looks for (safe)harborage, food and water. Animals defend their territory but are very 'respectful' of the territory of other animals.
Your yard must provide the essentials; that's why the snakes are there in the first place. Hopefully they have not 'claimed' your yard as their territory. Your dogs must now stake first claim or over-ride any other or previous claim. Dogs mark their territory with urine. I therefore suggest that you walk the animals regularly around the yard and encourage them to urinate often. You can encourage this by placing portable "posts" (portable fire hydrants would be ideal) for them. You might even extend the idea by spraying or pouring dilute ammonia along the boundaries. Stimulate the dogs to bark while romping in the yard. Human presence and activity are a big deterrent to smaller animals (we have them fooled) so you yourself have a part to play in this battle to (re)claim your territory. Yard work, BBQ's are two suggestions.
I do not know that all of this will work but I sincerely believe that if we indiscriminately get rid of "harmless" animals, we unwittingly provide territory for others that might be harmful.