[mrfixit]

..... 50 years ago my then 70 year old neighbor and friend showed me how to get rid of snakes etc.
without harming them.....

Simply pour or spray some household liquid ammonia around in the areas
where you want to work TOMORROW.
YES I do shake the bushes with a rake before I start trimming.

The critters will return in a few days...unless you do this weekly.

I do this and sometimes see the snakes and critters leave immediately.

.. if I need to leave the garage door or exterior pass doors open ....
....I pour a line of ammonia just outside the openings.