In order to deter snakes from making their living on our premises, we need to know that they, like most other organisms, require the three basic components we all need namely: Shelter, food & water.
Shelter:
We then need to have a look around first of all for the one thing most of us are guilty of which is the accumulation of material in piles or heaps, like garden rubble, building rubble, building material, steel, wood, machinery etc. Also look at that nice rockery which has not been sealed in properly, paving from which the bedding sand has washed out, the pool pump, inspection covers for the bath drain, Wendy houses suspended on various items, concrete slabs, the prefab fish pond and so forth which all provides good hiding spots through the cavities they provide. Also note that bushy gardens, tall grass, crawlers and so forth also contributes to safe movement areas for snakes. snakes need to feel safe from any threat when moving about and when residing in a suitable cavity.
Water:
Water supply is quite simple:
Any form of stagnating water, fish ponds, leaking pipes or taps are all sources of water in the garden. Look at getting those eliminated as far as possible.
Food & prey that attracts snakes:
In the East Rand, the Rinkhals (Hemachatus haemachatus) and the Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus) are the two species of local snakes which are of medical importance.
They both have a diet preference for frogs/toads.
Providing a perfect frog and/or toad garden environment, will provide for an abundance of frogs and/or toads which in turn will attract snakes prey on them.
Snakes also prey on rodents. Providing food and shelter to rodents knowing and unknowingly also attracts snakes who feed on them.
Keep the bird feeders, dog food and refuse areas clean to prevent rodents from making their home around yours.
Note that snakes do not make tunnels or holes themselves but rather makes use of those provided by moles, rats and mice.
Old cut down tree stumps with the roots eventually rotting away also provides both shelter and ‘tunnels’.
Simple, basic house keeping can contribute a lot toward minimising snake activity on you premises.
Access:
Access to the premises can be minimised through either use of UV protected shade net or fine mesh like the type used for bird cages to block access. This can be done though erecting it with about 30cm dug in and at a height of approximately 1.5 meters where required, i.e. palisade fences and other similar boundary walls. Where drainage openings through latticed prefab walls, masonry and or concrete walls exist, chicken mesh can be used, cut to the relevant size and crumbled up similar to piece of newspaper and pushed into these openings. This allows for water to run through it freely but blocks access to snakes.