(UPDATE: for more tips on ways you can use clove oil, check out the comments below!)
I’m cleaning out my email box from waaaay back in the spring and found the following note from a reader, Brenda, who saw my post about our snake issues.
Why am I sharing this with you, on a health and nutrition blog?
Because it is my duty to other snake freaks, that’s why. You just have to know about this tip for a natural snake repellent. (By the way, Kent, when you read this, go ahead and plan on me bugging you about getting some of this stuff next spring…)
First let me clarify:
I know that I am super blessed that we are only dealing with garter snakes here, and my aversion to snakes isn’t because I’m afraid they’re going to hurt me. It’s because I just don’t like to see them.
(By the way, you may have noticed that there are no snake pictures in this post. I don’t do snake pictures.)
Brenda’s email:
(Warning: this is not an easy story to read. It is shocking and disgusting and terrifying.)
“Kelly,
We live in Austin and are surrounded by wooded areas and wildlife. The first spring after moving into our house, these 6-8 inch, worm-like snakes appeared (found one in the bedroom, one in the hall and one in my bathroom!) and completely freaked me out. I called the organic pest service I used and described them as looking like a worm but moving like a snake, and was told, “Yep, those are snakes. Don’t worry, they have a very short two week season and they aren’t poisonous. Just be happy you only have a couple. We have a customer that had dozens!”
This was no consolation to me! The real problem was that I kept telling my husband about them and he just chuckled, thinking it was silly, and possibly it was not really a snake. He hadn’t seen them yet. Then the following spring they appeared again. This time my husband got to look at one very closely. I was taking a shower and started screaming because something was moving on the floor (I didn’t have my contact lenses on). He ran in, picked it up and looked at it closely and said, “You are right, it is a snake”!
I spoke with a friend in California who informed me that a product with clove oil is used there as a snake deterrent. I found one at Lowe’s, Green Light brand “Organic Home Pest Control. The main ingredient is clove oil. We have since stopped using the organic service and my husband sprays regularly (a considerable savings, too). I have also noticed that spraying keeps mosquitoes at bay, as well, if used often.
Hope this helps you, too.
Regards, Brenda”
My reply to clarify:
“Brenda, your email made my HYPERVENTILATE!!! Spring is when we have the most sightings, too. So this clove oil stuff worked for you????????? Where do you spray it? You’re so sweet to help me! Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kelly”
More answers:
“Hi Kelly, We spray inside our house once a month around all of the baseboards, in the laundry room, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc., to keep the spiders and other nasty bugs down. My husband sprays all around the outside base of the brick/flower beds, around doors, etc.
Another important thing that I have done to my flower beds is to trim all shrubs/plants back so that nothing is touching the house, and I also trim limbs away from the ground. The open space allows me to walk between the shrubs and the house, and it keeps mosquitoes (and hopefully snakes!) from hanging out under all of the cover.
Right before spring we start spraying at least once per week outside in anticipation of the snakes, and we haven’t had them inside since. I think we paid about $12-15.00 for a one gallon container that we have used for over one year. Our organic service charged $175.00 per visit, and we would have then out once, and occasionally twice, per year. Yikes! what a savings.
Good luck to you.”
Isn’t she a doll for sharing that scoop with us? Thanks, Brenda! So I’m wonderin’…is it true that there are no snakes in Ireland?
Part of Works for me Wednesday!
Check out the new KITCHEN KOP REAL FOOD INGREDIENT GUIDE: only $5!DON'T MISS NEW POSTS:
Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe via e-mail for free blog updates.
Learn more from the COMMENTS BELOW - join the conversation!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Betsy 09.25.09 at 5:57 am
OMG! I am so getting that stuff and spraying myself. We’ve had someone come in every quarter for forever, and they’re not organic. My husband used to schedule the visits when he was home (semi-retired) so I never even thought much about it. But he’s working now, so they had to come on Saturday, and I’m thinking “what are we doing to ourselves???”. We also live in south Texas, home to lots of bugs (although thankfully we don’t have a snake problem).
I am going to Lowe’s first thing tomorrow morning!
[Reply]
Liz F. 09.25.09 at 7:56 am
Oh my…. I would have to move! I almost couldn’t read the post, but then not knowing what it said was bugging me too, so I forged ahead and read it.
[Reply]
Julie 09.25.09 at 8:20 am
I don’t like snakes at all. We lived in an area that had “harmless” snakes–even had one show up in the downstairs bedroom. I would have welcomed this natural repellent had I known about it.
Clove oil — I didn’t know it was a snake repellent, but did you know that it works wonders on zits?
I’m glad to know about the name of the repellent and where to find it!
[Reply]
Taylor Wingo 09.25.09 at 10:43 am
I also live in Austin and was greeted early one spring morning by a snake in my living room. Very scary. I’m going to have to get this product!
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.25.09 at 12:09 pm
You guys are freaking me out! I had no idea this was a common problem!!!
[Reply]
Soli 09.25.09 at 12:10 pm
I actually like snakes, but I am of the firm belief that they are outdoor creatures. Never had an issue of any coming into any house where I lived… er, except when one of the cats of my youth got to hunting. But I shall leave it at that. I am glad you found a solution.
[Reply]
jon 09.25.09 at 1:01 pm
no snakes in Hawaii! more than beaches or climate, that’s the biggest reason my wife loves it here!
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.25.09 at 2:53 pm
Jon,
For real? No snakes there? Or you just haven’t seen any?
If so, then what a PERFECT place to vacation! All that tropical-ness, but no worry of seeing a snake?!!
[Reply]
Lilia 09.25.09 at 8:31 pm
I don’t mind the snakes but I wouldn’t want them in my house. It’s the spiders I can’t handle, had a tarantula jump out at me as a youngester and haven’t been able to handle spiders since. Hey anyone have any natural way to get rid of mice. Moved to a new (old) house and our cat has been bringing them up from the basement. Not a lot but from time to time. Mostly around this time of year when they’re looking for a warm home for the winter. Can’t find where they’re getting in and the traps don’t work. Wouldn’t mind it so much if the cat would kill them but she doesn’t then we all run around upstairs trying to catch them. Not fun and gives me the need to disinfect everything. Have a wonderful weekend!
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.26.09 at 8:09 am
Ahhhh, rodents….why in the heck can’t they all just keep OUT of our homes??????
Thankfully spiders don’t bother me and I think they’re kind of cool, but I certainly wouldn’t want a big furry one jumping out at me either…
[Reply]
Naomi 09.26.09 at 12:45 pm
I don’t like spiders in my home either, but I don’t know if it’s because of the spider itself or if it’s running my hand into a web. Sounds like clove oil is a pretty wonderful product. It’s also the best for tooth ache pain.
[Reply]
Robyn 09.26.09 at 2:26 pm
Don’t move to Florida. We have lived in our current house a year and have seen garter snakes, black racers, water moccasins, pine snakes, and pygmy rattlers. I personally killed a 3 foot long garter snake in my backyard with a shovel! I was totally freaked out with my kids playing in the backyard, so we hired critter control (yes, not pests, “critters” – big things that creep and crawl!). He sprinkles a repellant around our perimeter, but he says it only keeps away the venomous snakes; non-venomous still get in. So we have these “snake traps” that are basically boxes with glue pads in them. Snakes get scared and run for the dark hole, and get their head stuck on the glue. Then you can get them and kill them, or be nice and release them.
[Reply]
Jen 09.27.09 at 3:09 am
Robyn: Awww… I’m a science nerd, and I love snakes (sorry Kelly). I had a sweet garter snake as a child one winter named Fred. He gave me kisses on my cheek.
I released him in the garden the next spring. Please be nice and release any snakes you catch in your trap. 
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.27.09 at 7:46 pm
I think I’m gonna throw up. Jen, seriously, you let Fred KISS YOU on the CHEEK???????????????
[Reply]
Jen 09.27.09 at 8:52 pm
LOL!!!!! I sure did; little snake kisses on the cheek, with that tongue darting in and out.
They really are awesome creatures, and despite what people think, they’re NOT slimy at all!
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.27.09 at 9:22 pm
My mouth and nose are all wrinkled up and I can’t get my face to go back to normal.
Somehow I don’t want my feet on the floor right now, either…
[Reply]
Kira 09.30.09 at 12:40 am
Would it work for keeping snakes out of the yard? My parents’ neighbors’ dog was just bit by a rattlesnake in the back yard, and I’m a wee bit freaked out by it. My kids play in my parents’ yard! I don’t mind snakes, but I draw the line at ones that can KILL MY CHILDREN.
[Reply]
KitchenKop 09.30.09 at 1:36 am
Yaw! I’d be a *wee bit* freaked out myself…like, “OK, kids, say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa FOREVER!”
Please tell me they live far from Michigan.
[Reply]