Snakes – you either love them or hate them. Some people find them fascinating, while others are absolutely terrified of them. But whether you like them or not, there’s no denying that they can be a nuisance. I
f you’re trying to keep snakes away from your home, one thing you might have heard is that eggshells can help.
Do eggshells keep snakes away? Let’s take a closer look
Eggshells have long been used as a natural way to keep pests away from gardens and homes. Some gardeners swear by using crushed egg shells as a barrier to deter slugs and snails, while others say that the shells help to keep cats out of their flower beds. But can eggshells also keep snakes away?
The simple answer is perhaps. Crushed eggshells are thought to keep snakes at bay since they will want to avoid slithering over sharp pieces.
In reality, however, the effectiveness of eggshells at keeping snakes away is really questionable, not to mention that you’d also need a huge amount of wheels to cover your yard. Besides, you’d have to keep the shells dry at all times so that they can be effective.
Oh, did we also forget to mention that such a huge amount of eggshells spread all over your yard would make it look pretty ridiculous?
When do eggshells attract snakes?
Did you know that egg shells can actually attract snakes? If they still contain egg material, egg shells will easily attract snakes that are looking for an easy meal. What’s more, egg shells can attract rodents which will, in turn, attract snakes.
Basically, if you have chickens, or there are lots of dark, sheltered areas you can expect these slithering visitors quite frequently.
Can eggshells in compost bins attract snakes?
In some cases, leaving eggshells in compost bins can also attract snakes. That’s in consideration that as the organic ingredients of the shells start to break down, they will release heat from microbe action.
As a result, compost bins that are deep enough and have sufficient organic matter will easily attract cold-blooded snakes.
In most cases, snakes will be attracted to compost piles and bins that have food in them, including eggshells, mainly due to the heat as opposed to the food.
Do snakes like eggshells?
Snakes enjoy eating whole eggs, including the shells, of small wild and pet birds such as finches, quails, canaries, and even smaller chicken eggs. In most cases, if you realize that the eggs in your birds’ nests are disappearing without a trace, it’s more than likely that you have a legless visitor doing the dirty work.
Snakes mainly aim to consume the internal content of eggs, but they also reap benefits from the calcium that is contained in the shells. For this reason, they are happy to eat an egg whole whenever they can.
So, how do you control snakes?
If snakes are becoming a nuisance on your property, you can use the following tips to keep them away:
1. Tidy up your lawn
Snakes like to hide in long grass, so mowing your lawn regularly is a good way to keep them at bay. Also, piles of wood, rocks, and leaves are perfect places for snakes to hide, so make sure you tidy these areas up too.
2. Use a non-toxic snake repellent
There are many non-toxic commercial snake repellents available. You can also make your own repellent using garlic skins, stems, and onion skins.
3. Control rodents
As we mentioned before, snakes are attracted to areas where there is a food source. If you have a problem with rodents on your property, it’s likely that snakes will be drawn to the area. Try using traps or poison to control the rodent population.
4. Use rough, jagged materials as mulch
If you’re mulching your garden beds, use materials that are rough and jagged such as crushed pine cones, holly leaves, and sharp rocks. These materials will deter snakes since they don’t like to slither over them.
5. Block off access points
Snakes can enter your home through small gaps and holes. Inspect the exterior of your home and block off any access points that you find.
Do eggshells keep snakes away: Final thoughts
While eggshells may work as a snake repellent to some extent, there are more effective methods that you can use to keep these slithering visitors away from your property.
Related Article: Does Vinegar Keep Snakes Away