Snakes are unwelcomed in my house because they pose a threat to my bunnies and kittens. That’s why I have tried almost everything to intimidate and frighten them away, from salt to cedar to ammonia to commercial repellents and bleach. Speaking of which, this led me to wonder what will Clorox do to a snake. I am sure many of you must be wondering the same.
Clorox is a disinfectant, a very famous one at that. Those of you who have tested bleaching agents, acidic insecticides and other such chemical substances would know how harsh they can be for snakes. As for the rest, you can learn the implications of using Clorox on snakes in the article below. A warning for the faint-hearted: the practice might leave you to deal with dead snakes. If you’re willing to face the consequences, be my guest. Else, there are more humane methods available to get rid of snakes.
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What is Clorox?
Clorox is an American company that manufactures and markets both consumer- and -professional-grade products. What we’re interested in here is their Clorox Disinfecting Bleach. As you know that regular household bleach contains sodium hypochlorite as an active ingredient. But, Clorox also includes a concentrated formula known as Cloromax Technology to enhance its strength and effectiveness.
The disinfectant promises to wipe out 99.9% of germs and bacteria, including the troubling Covid-19 virus. Oh yeah, that’s how strong it is. Even the most stubborn stains and germs stand no chance against it. As a result, you get a cleaned, sanitized and whitened surface.
What Will Clorox Do To a Snake?
Since Clorox basically is a bleach with extra potency and power, it might kill a snake if dropped directly on it. That’s why experts advise you not to clean snake tanks and cages with Clorox or other bleaching agents. The left-behind bleach could be deadly for the serpents.
You can wash the tank or cage with it, but make sure you rinse it properly and leave it to air dry before putting the creature back in it. You see, the proper ratio of bleach in water isn’t harmful at all; it is used as a purifying agent in drinking water.
I use Clorox bleach for wiping surfaces, animal cages and household items. Luckily, there hasn’t been any snake casualty so far. However, the ratio I use is 1:10, one part of bleach in ten parts of water.
Does Bleaching Powder Repel Snakes?
Since our main concern is a snake-free home, I want to tell you how snakes might react to bleaching powder or such chemical agents. Snakes find the smell of bleaching powder and carbolic acid intolerable. You must have heard the word “phenol”. That’s carbolic acid. It’s a highly poisonous substance, poisonous enough to kill germs. You might also find it in essential oils and certain plants.
Long story short, snakes stay away from places where bleaching powder or phenol is poured because the strong aroma gets on their nerves. So, sprinkle them around your building to bar snakes from trespassing. However, we wouldn’t ask you to pour it straight on a snake to murder it because it’s inhumane. Killing snakes will do you no good as they help control the rodent population.
You should keep in mind that phenol is mildly acidic and is capable of causing chemical burns. Therefore, you need to handle it carefully. Always wear protective gloves to avoid such painful experiences.
Note: People often use calcium cyanide for murdering serpents. Furthermore, toxicants like an aqueous solution of nicotine sulfate and many insecticides are also used to kill snakes. Not that I encourage such harsh practices for keeping snakes away, but you should make the chemicals inaccessible to children and pets because they’re toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact.
All things aside, the safest and most humane way of getting rid of snakes is by adhering to practices that can make your house and yard uninhabitable for them. You can also use scents of essential oils or grow plants featuring snake-repulsive fragrances to keep them away.
Conclusion
Snakes might die if you pour a powerful disinfectant like Clorox on them. However, there will be no deaths with the diluted solution. The right ratio of this bleach in water will give you a germ- and stain-free, sanitized surface. Sprinkling bleaching agents or powder around your territory might keep snakes away as their pungent aromas frighten them. But, we aren’t fond of these because of their harmful implications. Instead, I would suggest you work on making your abode unattractive to snakes through renovations and environment-friendly snake-repellent scents.
