Do Guinea Pigs Attract Snakes?

Not all animals are independent some being around depends on the presence of others. Thinking of keeping guinea pigs and worried about them driving snakes in your home? Started seeing snakes after bringing these pets into your home?

Wondering if guinea pigs really attract snakes? Well, you are at the right place. Have all the answers you need by reading this article.

Do Guinea Pigs Attract Snakes?

Guinea pigs can attract snakes to your home. Although not directly guinea pigs serve as a good food source for these predators. Their hutches and cages may also shelter the snakes into your home.

Snakes and Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are a prey for most snakes and their hutches can serve as good habitats for them. This totally depends on the structure of the cage and how it is maintained.

These pets are reared both outdoors and indoors. Having them indoors secures them more from snakes.

 However, if you have your pet outside what can you do to keep it safe? Good cages are the first of the many steps you require.

Securing Guinea Pig Cages from Snakes

Cavies have minimal protection mechanisms e.g. biting or hiding therefore, they cannot match up to predatory tactics. It is therefore upon you to keep it safe.

Having a secure cage can keep the predators such as snakes away. This is achieved through;

Ensuring that the meshes or netting used on the cages have small spaces. Large spaces between the cages allow the snakes to pass through.

Use strong meshes since some snakes can tear up weak meshes.

Enforce the hutches with metal or wood.

Have the cage’s entry points and roof secured.

Ensure you don’t leave your guinea pig roaming around alone. When alone, make sure it is in a secure inaccessible area free from snakes and other predators.

Other factors to consider are;

Placement of the guinea pig hutch. Leave the hutch in an openly accessible place where snakes are unlikely to access.

This also ensures that you are able to keep a close watch on your pet.

Time of the day. Leaving your guinea pig to roam around in broad daylight is much safer than in the dark.

Regular Routine for Guinea Pig Cages

Good maintenance of your pet’s hutch is a way of keeping snakes away. This involves the following;

• The hutch should be kept dry and have a good lighting. Dump, dark places are good hiding places for snakes.
• Regular cleaning ensures the hutch is not overcrowded with beddings which could be hiding spots for predators.
• Taking out food left overs in the evening which could attract snakes into the cages.

Guinea pig Predators

Cavies are small and cannot escape most predators.  Besides snakes, they also serve as prey for other animals which are stray and domestic cats, dogs, wolves, owls, hawks, and coyotes. Cavies also are hunted down by humans for food and medicine.

 How to Keep Snakes Away From Cavies

Snakes are in all ways harmful to your cavy. From snakes that just bite and inject venom into your pet to those which swallow the whole guinea pig. Keeping them away from your home ensures that they are away from your pet.

• Maintain a clean compound in your homestead. Trim any tall grass or shrubs which could be hideouts for snakes.
• Set up lighting around your guinea pig hutch to keep snakes away.
• Consider rearing cats and pigs. These animals will help keep away some snakes. However, this totally depends on the type of snakes found in your area. They can help keep away the small types of snakes but the larger snakes will end up preying on them instead.
• Good maintenance of your garden. Ensuring that your garden is not shrubby eliminates any possible snake hideout.
• Enclose all cracks or cavities in building structures e.g. walls.
•  Cover any holes around your home. Snakes love crawling into them and they could be good hiding spots.
• Get rid of excess mulch which could host snakes into your home.
• Consider rearing birds for example turkeys. Snakes are afraid of large birds.
• Eliminate any possible food sources that could attract snakes e.g. rodents. Set up baits traps to keep off rats and mice. Moreover, don’t leave food scraps lying around your home
• You can also erect snake proof fences which keep off the snakes.
• Get rid of any trash which could serve as hide outs e.g. old containers around your home.

Snake Repellants for Your Home

Using snake repellants could be a good way to keep them away from you. Consider buying them from stores or making your own. Use deterrents with caution since some are harmful to pets.

White vinegar, onions, garlic and vinegar are useful deterrents their smell keeps the snakes off. Mix any of them with water and spray around your cavy’s cage. A mixture of lime with hot pepper or peppermint makes snakes itchy and their smell too keeps them off.

In addition, regularly light smoking pits. Snakes are sensitive to odors and the smoke will chase them away.

Growing Snake Deterrent Plants

There are a variety of plants which can keep snakes away from your guinea pig which are lemongrass and marigold. Not only will they keep away snakes but also they have health benefits for the cavy.

Your pet can be allowed out of the cage from time to time to feed on these grasses. Lemon grass is a good source of calcium. On the other hand, marigold is rich in fiber, keeps way worms, parasites and also is an injury ointment for the pet.

The Bottom Line

Guinea pigs do not directly lure snakes into your home though having them around gives snakes reasons to be there. Snakes are both harmful to you and your pet therefore it is important to learn how to keep them off. This ensures a safer environment for all of you.

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