how can i stop snakes coming into my garden

I can understand your fears but they are probably more wary of you. If you make a noise as you come out they usually slither away. Out of curiosity what species is it? It might even be a legless lizard or slow-worm.

I can't think of any way you can stop snakes coming into your garden - actually it is an indication that you have a good balance of life if you are seeing snakes. I'd be more than happy to have them in our space. Only the adder has venomous fangs and it is far and away more likely to disappear if it hears, or smells you, than to attack.
Nini I used to be really scared of snakes when I was in my teens and early 20's - then I visited a house where the resident python spent his time wrapped round the bowl of the loo to keep himself cool. Having had a total hissy fit I calmed down got to know him and since then have not been afraid of snakes, in spite of meeting a fair few which were venomous when mountaineering.

I sympathise with you in your fear of snakes as I grew up mainly outside of the UK and remember getting a huge fright when coming across a large one at the top of a staircase. The fact that it was equally frightened of me and moved away very fast didn't really help me feel reassured. I was lucky in that it didn't develop into a phobia, and I have even had one as a pet in the past since then.

Some ideas:

1) There is a gadget on the market that advertises as being specifically to deter snakes, but it is quite expensive at 100 euros, which converts currently to about £89. It is called the Sentinel Electronic Snake Repeller.They supply to Europe so I assume they cover the UK as well It is humane for snakes and also safe for other animals and children. Each unit is supposed to cover 15 metres radius, but they recommend using more than one as the snakes find it more confusing as to where the annoyance is coming from. I don't know how effective it is and also how much extra the postage is on top. If you are interested in following up the link please be aware that they have put lots of pictures of snakes on the website - I know some people with this phobia get a fright if they even see a photo, so just preparing you in case!

You will need to copy and paste this link into your browser to see it:

http://users.tpg.com.au/ribert/Europe%20Page.htm

2) Apparently lime sprinkled around the perimeter of your property is supposed to help deter them from coming in. I have also heard sulphur is good for this as well. I don't know where you would buy it these chemicals from though. It might mean clearing a small area of ground just beside your perimeter and putting them down there.

I have heard of mothballs being used, but with mixed results.

3) If this is practical for you, you can fence round your property to prevent them coming in. They can't climb up very slippery surfaces like rigid perspex, so if you create a slippery boundary tall enough with an overhang ( on their side of the fence), they won't be able to get over it. They can only raise themselves a certain distance off the ground. Whether this is feasible or not depends on your property boundaries, and how much effort and resources you are able or wish to devote to it. If this might be an option I would contact the snake experts at your nearest zoo who should have a good idea of the snakes' reach in order to calculate the correct overhang etc. You might need to check with neighbours that they are ok with this if the overhang protrudes near their garden boundaries with you.

I just found some info and immediatly had to find you, Yellow loosestrife:
The smoke created by burning the plant can be used as an insect repellent. In other parts of the world, its smoke is also used to keep snakes away.

just had to tell you

hope it helps

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