Gardens and grassy lawns often provide snakes with both food and shelter, making them a natural haven for these critters. If you’re looking to keep snakes out of your garden, yard, or any outdoor space, installing a galvanized wire mesh fence is an effective solution. Not only does it help protect your plants and outdoor living areas, it also acts as a barrier that prevents snakes from entering your property.
Both welded and galvanized wire mesh can be used to exclude a variety of pests from your outdoor space, including snakes. Read on to learn more about how snake fences work, why they are effective, and what you’ll need to craft a budget-friendly DIY welded wire mesh fence.
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What Is a Snake 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 constructed using metal wire mesh materials, which are non-toxic and safe for both animals and the environment.
What a Snake Fence Can & Can’t Do
Snake fences are effective exclusion tools for homeowners. It’s important to understand their limitations so you can plan for the best results.
When properly installed, a snake fence:
Prevents most ground-dwelling snakes from entering a defined area
Creates a physical barrier that doesn’t rely on chemicals, repellents, or traps
Works continuously with no reapplication or maintenance beyond periodic inspection
Protects a specific area, such as a garden, play area, shed, or pet area
Even when properly installed, a snake fence does not:
Eliminate snakes from your entire property
Stop all species if gaps, large openings, or climbable plants or structures are nearby
Replace habitat management, such as removing debris, rodent attractants, or dense ground cover
A wire mesh fence should be combined with regular lawn maintenance, removal of wood piles, rock piles, and excess mulch, and rodent control for the best results.
Can Snakes Climb Wire Mesh?
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.
The Best Wire Mesh for Snake Fencing
There are a few different options to choose from when creating a snake fence. The top choices for snake control include:
Aluminum wire mesh is one of the most popular options for snake fencing due to its price, quality, and versatility. It is flexible, making it easy to shape, mold, and cut to your exact dimensions.
Intercrimp aluminum mesh: Intercrimp mesh is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. It is pre-crimped with extra bends between the intersections to enhance stability.
Welded stainless steel wire mesh fences
Welded stainless steel wire mesh fences can be made from Type 304 or Type 316 stainless steel, both of which offer strong corrosion resistance. Type 304 is the most common choice and works well for typical outdoor environments like yards and gardens. Type 316 contains added molybdenum, giving it superior resistance to rust and corrosion in harsh conditions such as coastal areas, high humidity, or salt exposure.
In short, 304 is great for general use, while 316 is best for extreme or corrosive environments.
Galvanized wire mesh fences
Galvanized wire mesh fences are made from steel coated with a layer of zinc to protect against rust and corrosion. This makes them more durable and longer lasting than non-galvanized options.
Galvanized mesh is available in several forms, including galvanized welded mesh, galvanized black polycoated mesh, and galvanized woven mesh. Welded mesh is rigid and strong because the wires are welded at each intersection, while woven mesh offers more flexibility and ease of handling. The black finish is popular for outdoor spaces because it blends seamlessly with landscaping and décor.
Should You DIY a Snake Fence?
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.
