How Does a Snake Fence Work?

Offering things to eat and places to hide, gardens and grassy lawns are havens for snakes. If you’re looking to exclude snakes from your garden, yard, or any other part of your outdoor space, consider installing a snake fence. 

Welded or galvanized wire mesh can be used to exclude various pests from your outdoor space, including snakes. Read on to learn more about how snake fences work, why they work, and what you'll need to craft a budget-friendly DIY fence.

A snake fence is essentially a barrier that prevents wild snakes from entering a specific area, whether it's your entire property or just your garden. The barrier can be fastened out of metal wire mesh products, which are non-toxic and safe for both animals and the environment.

Some snakes do have the ability to climb. However, this can be mitigated if you use the right mesh material and take care to install it correctly. Here's what to consider.

Aluminum and stainless steel mesh are top choices for snake control. Whether you choose a poly coating or a plain mill finish, these metals are long-lasting, unlikely to rust, corrosion-resistant, and versatile.

As mentioned, galvanized wire mesh or welded stainless steel wire mesh work well for snake fences, as the materials are exceptionally strong and rigid. Aluminum intercrimp is also a top choice for this type of barrier.

When it comes to mesh snake fencing, selecting a small weave opening is crucial. Even if the circumference of the particular species is slightly larger than the opening, contortionist snakes might still find a way to slide through. Ideally, the space between each wire shouldn't be larger than a quarter-inch.

You'll also want to choose wire mesh sheets in the proper height and depth. Your best bet is to install a fence about 3 feet tall—even better if it's taller. The barrier should also go several inches below ground. This will keep it sturdy while preventing snakes from crawling underneath. In total, you're looking at about 4 feet.

To pull out all the stops, some homeowners install their wire mesh at a 30-degree angle to prevent snakes from scaling the fence. Another option is to create an angle just at the top. However, you'd need to attach another piece of mesh, as small-weave welded and galvanized types aren't typically malleable.

Lastly, you're wise to move any nearby shrubs and foliage, as snakes could potentially use them to climb over. If transplanting isn't possible, such as with a tree, trimming it or cutting the lower branches should suffice.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly pest-control solution and have a do-it-yourself spirit, making your own fence out of metal mesh is a great idea. That said, regulations vary by state and region.

Contact your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) representative before implementing any snake-exclusion measures. The Humane Society is also an excellent educational resource for those wondering what to do about snakes.

You can learn more about what the DIY project entails in our blog post, Tips on How to Install a Wire Mesh Snake Fence.

TWP Inc. has been a leading resource for industrial and residential wire mesh products since 1969. Our woman-owned company supplies a wide range of pest-control mesh materials, including galvanized and welded wire with intercrimp weaves with small openings.

With above and below-ground snake-control fencing in mind, our sheets and panels come in 48-inch (4-foot) heights and varying lengths. Shop mesh in stock and order your DIY supplies today.

Want to have your outdoor project featured in TWP Inc.'s online gallery? Upload your photos to Instagram with the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.