Snakes and Rats in yard

Question
QUESTION: Can I use sulfur or Lime to keep snakes and rats out of my yard. I live by a canal and a abandant house, my dog has been bitten by a snake and is under vet. care. What can I use to keep them away. I have used snake repellant, it DO NOT work. HELP

ANSWER: OK, there's nothing we can do about the canal.  You didn't mention what kind of snake bit your dog that info would help some.  As to the rats, there's some things we can do there.  First keep your grass mowed, rats love tall grass.  And if the abandoned house isn't mowing theirs you might want to mow it too.  If the house is truly abandoned and infested w/ rodents I would contact the local code enforcement agency and get it condemned and razed.  You could also put rat poison out, BUT!!!!! that probably has a better chance of killing pets including your dog than any snake.  Please let me know what type of snake bit your dog, the type of dog might help as well.

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QUESTION: I believe the snake was a water mock, and my dog is a rottweider. The vet. gave him a shot and Medication for home use, antibio. and steriods. He's recovered. My yard is mowed very low and I have killed all the grass between my house and the abandoned one. The code enforcement has been notified on several occasions,and cut the grass only once in the last six months. I've lived by the canal for over 40yrs. and have never had this problem before. This house is on a long list of other abandant homes, due to Hurrican Katrina. I just was looking for something to help my situation, until the house is destroyed. As for me cutting the grass, the yard is too big and you can not see your way through the weed and the spread of poison ivy vines. My question is still the same. Can I use sulfur or lime around my frence to keep them out?????????? Oh! I forgot to mention the opossums. Everyday I have to clean up a dead rodent my dog has attack.

Answer
I do not believe those chemicals will help.  Further, I would be worried about the effects of the chemicals on the dog.  There is another option though - Guineas.  They are a chicken-like bird that have a reputation for killing snakes and cleaning up yards.  Since it's obvious your code enforcement agency is less than efficient, I'd get 3-6 guineas and small coop.  Give them a week or so in coop so that they imprint on it and then turn them out during the day.  They will return to roost at night.

Out of curiosity where do you live?