Our Review Process
A look at the steps between a new product hitting the market and a review going live on SnakeReport.
1. Category research
We start by mapping the category — every product currently sold to American homeowners that claims to repel, capture, or protect against snakes. We collect manufacturer specs, retailer listings, and verified buyer feedback.
2. Shortlist
From the full list, we shortlist the products most likely to deliver real-world value: those with clearly stated specifications, transparent companies, and a meaningful body of long-term customer feedback.
3. Hands-on testing
Where feasible, we install, run, or wear the product over multi-week field trials on properties with documented snake activity. We observe behavior, document failures, and capture before/after activity.
4. Meta-review
For products we cannot personally test, we conduct a structured meta-review — aggregating verified buyer reviews, external testing, and manufacturer claims into one comparable score. We disclose clearly when a product was meta-reviewed rather than tested in-house.
5. Scoring and ranking
Every product is graded against the rubric for its category (see our Product Testing Methodology). Rankings are not adjusted based on commercial relationships.
6. Publish, monitor, update
Once published, we monitor each review for new buyer feedback, product revisions, and price changes. Reviews are updated whenever a meaningful change occurs.