Nothing feels creepier and frightening than having a snake slither into your home. Not only are they difficult to control, but some of them can also be very dangerous. Many devices claim to deter snakes, and one of them is a solar powered snake repeller. So do solar powered snake repellers work?
Solar powered snake repellers don’t work as well as they claim to be—as recorded by most users and snake experts. Since they depend on solar energy, winter or cloudy days can reduce their efficacy. Also, they may not cover large distances, and snakes may get used to the strobing patterns.
In this article, you’ll learn more about how solar powered snake repellers work and why they may not be effective in keeping snakes away. We also teach you about other ways to keep snakes out of your home.
How Does a Solar Powered Snake Repeller Work?
According to research, snakes possess an inner ear that allows them to detect prey’s presence and location through vibrations. Snakes can detect even the smallest of vibrations and may also be able to hear low-frequency airborne sounds.
A combination of these two abilities allows them to discern between prey and threat. Most snakes will choose to run away from a very loud vibration as they will perceive it as danger. If the vibration is low, their brain computes the size of the animal and identifies its location. This idea is what solar powered snake repellers are based on.
Solar powered snake repellers work by emitting loud vibrations that are reminiscent of a large animal into the ground. Any snake that detects these vibrations will perceive it as danger and immediately back out of the area.
Some snake repellers emit alternating pulse patterns depending on the brand, while others use a single pulse pattern to deter snakes. Some devices may also emit ultrasonic sounds into the ground along with loud vibrations. However, these sounds may be a nuisance to your pets, especially those with a nervous disposition.
While the premise on which these devices are based is true, many snake repellers don’t deliver as promised. Many users claim that solar powered snake repellers don’t deter the snakes in their homes. Also, snake experts are skeptical about the effectiveness of these devices.
Why Solar Powered Snake Repellers May Not Work
Some solar powered snake repellers work better than others, but generally, there is some doubt about their effectiveness against snakes. Here are some reasons why there are question marks over solar powered snake repellers:
They Depend On The Sun
The design of solar powered snake repellers is primarily based on solar energy. Without enough energy from the sun, these devices won’t work. This design becomes a problem during the winter or when it’s cloudy and there isn’t enough power to charge the battery. The efficacy of the device further drops if you live in an area with low annual sunlight.
Also, solar power cannot be harnessed at night, so your snake repeller won’t work during this time if its battery is not charged. As a result, these devices can’t be relied on as an effective way to deter snakes.
They Won’t Work In Shady Areas
The snake repeller must be installed where it can get as much direct sunlight as possible. If your house is in a shadowy area or covered by trees, the snake repeller won’t charge properly, and as a result, it won’t keep out snakes through the night.
They May Not Cover Large Areas
Solar powered snake repellers may not cover large distances or radiate in all directions. As a result, you may need to install two or more devices in your yard if they are to be effective. This adds to its drawbacks as you would have to spend on more devices if you truly want to keep snakes out of your house.
They May Not Last Long
Although solar panels are built tough to withstand the elements, they will eventually deteriorate due to constant exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Other elements, such as snow, wind, hail, and dirt, can also reduce the efficacy of these devices.
Perks of Solar Powered Snake Repellers
Though there are concerns with solar powered snake repellers, they have some advantages that make them a solid snake deterring solution.
- A safe way of controlling snakes: These snake repellers use solar energy, a renewable energy source that never runs out as long as the sun exists. It is also safe to use around children and pets as it involves no chemicals, poison, traps, or heat emissions.
- Requires little maintenance: Solar powered snake repellers only require minimal cleaning to keep them in good working condition.
- Easy to install: The installation of solar powered snake repellers only requires digging a hole in the ground and inserting the device a few inches into it. No special wired connections are required.
Other Ways to Keep Snakes Out of Your Home
If you live in a snake-infested area and you’re unsure whether your solar powered snake repeller is working, there are other things you can do to keep them away from your home.
Keep Your Yard Clean
This one seems quite obvious. Keeping a clean yard will make it less attractive to snakes and other pests. Here are some things you can do to keep your garden clean:
- Trim grasses and keep them short always.
- Gather fallen leaves, branches, straw mulch, and dispose of them properly.
- Clear out snake attractants like piles of rubble, debris, rocks, stones, and building materials.
- Fill up holes in the ground and around your yard.
Eliminate Food Sources
Rodents, frogs, mice, moles, and other small animals are major food sources for snakes. It can help to eliminate these pests first if you have a snake problem in your house.
Keeping your house clean can help to eliminate these small animals. Remove their food sources and try other rodent control options. Once you eliminate these pests, snakes will move on to other areas in search of food.
Seal Up Cracks And Entry Points
Snakes enter through holes, cracks, and crevices in your house. They have flexible bodies, and even the smallest crack can be an entry point for them. Sealing up these spots can help to deter snakes from your home.
Inspect every part of your house and fix damaged windows and doors. Call a professional to repair damaged piping, ventilation ducts, and gutters.
Try Snake Traps
Snake traps are one of the common ways of eliminating snakes. However, most of them are designed to capture small to medium snakes. If you’re trying to capture a large or venomous snake, you may need to call a professional.
The key to using snake traps is to strategically place them where you suspect snakes might be. Place the traps around the garden bed, tree, or bushy areas.
Employ Natural Predators
One of the ways to keep snakes out of your home is to employ natural predators. Pets like cats can help to scare snakes away. Animals like foxes, raccoons, guinea hens, pigs, and turkeys are known predators of snakes. They can help keep snakes away or even kill them.
Install Fences Around Your House
If you live in areas close to the forest, consider fencing up your home. A fence may not be the most effective snake prevention option, but it serves as a defense line. You can also install snake-proof fencing designed specifically to keep out snakes. Some of them are made of steel mesh, catch net, or plastic sheeting.
If you’re installing a fence, ensure that it flushes with the ground to prevent snakes any space to squeeze through.
Conclusion
Some solar powered repellers work better than others, but the consensus is that most of them are less effective and not the best way to deter snakes. Because they depend on solar energy to work, it can be a problem on cloudy days or if your house is in a shadowy area.
Also, they may not cover large enough distances to keep out snakes. To avoid battling snakes, the best thing is to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. Keep your yard clean, eliminate their food sources, and seal up holes, cracks, and crevices.
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