Does the chemical lye burn snakes?
Yes, lye is caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide. It burns tissue and causes permanent injury to snakes, humans and pets. If used as a snake repellent, use sparingly. It is better to eliminate things snakes like. They need to eat rodents so control rodents, you will control snakes. The need cool places in hot weather and warm places in cool weather. 50 degrees is the temperature where snakes either go torpid, or seek warmth. Above 50 they have to go out and eat. They seek food with temperature sensing. So the body heat of mammals is also a key temperature. If it is above 95 the snake cannot “see” it’s food as well. So temperature is important to snakes. Eliminating places they can use to control their body weight or seek food is the best snake repellant.
