Do Certain Plants Keep Away Snakes?
Dealing with a slithery surprise in your garden? If you're not a fan of snakes, knowing one's slithering around can be a real jolt. You might find yourself screaming like a scaredy-cat, asking, "Snake, friend or foe? Will you chomp on me, or keep the rodents at bay?"
If your goal is to shoo snakes off your property, you'll encounter an endless stream of listicles about "plants that keep snakes away." To take things a step further, we chatted with an authentic herpetology expert, Sean Foley, the Curator of Herpetology at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina. He's cool with most snakes in his yard but shared some tips on how to make your garden less enticing for them.
So, Do Plants Really Repel Snakes?
"There aren't many plants I'd call snake repellers," Foley tells us. "Anecdotal stories about herbs and marigolds are common, but there's no science to prove it." He also gave us an interesting fact about snakes' dislike for oily or sticky substances like tree sap. Some birds have even used this to their advantage to protect their babies from snakes, but that probably won't be much help in your yard-keepin' efforts.
Snake-Deterring Plants
Lemongrass, basil, rosemary, sage, mint, thyme, ginger, indian snakeroot, and even garlic and onion are often suggested for their strong scents—but remember, there's no hard proof showing their effectiveness. If you're looking for plants that could deter snakes, you might want to consider spiky ones like holly, cacti, agaves, yuccas, aloes, and pyracanthas. However, a motivated snake might still be tempted to hang around.
Dealing with Snakes in Your Yard
If you're not going all-in with a desert-inspired landscape adorned with rocks, sharp substances, and cacti, here are some additional strategies to keep snakes at bay.
Keep Your Yard Tidy
Mow your lawn regularly, trim your shrubs, and cut down low-hanging branches to minimize attractive hiding spots for snakes. Aim for a 24-to-36-inch space under trees and shrubs to discourage snakes from staying in exposed areas.
Eliminate Water Sources
Water is vital for all creatures, including snakes. If you can't part with those serene ponds, pools, or water features, consider adding a pump to keep the water moving and maintain well-trimmed foliage around the edges.
Remove or Reduce Food Sources
Snakes might be lured to birdseed, squirrel corn, or pet food. These attract critters that snakes enjoy as a tasty treat. Limit outdoor feeders and feed pets indoors.
Eliminate Hiding or Nesting Spots
Stacks of firewood, piles of stones, and thick layers of mulch make perfect burrowing spots for snakes, especially in shady, damp areas. These areas often attract rodents, another favorite snack. Keep your yard clutter-free, and don't forget to clean out trash piles.
Consider Lava Rock Mulch
Lava rocks are sharp and unwelcoming to snakes. They can be a great alternative to traditional mulch in landscaping beds.
Install a Fence
If all else fails, consider a fence. Use 1/4-inch mesh or wire hardware cloth that's 4 feet high and buried 6 inches into the ground, staked every six feet. Overlap the cloth several inches at each seam, and angle it 30 degrees outwards to make it harder for snakes to climb over.
- According to Sean Foley, the Curator of Herpetology at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, there are no scientifically proven plants that repel snakes, despite popular belief in herbs and marigolds.
- Some plants suggested to deter snakes include lemongrass, basil, rosemary, sage, mint, thyme, ginger, indian snakeroot, garlic, onion, holly, cacti, agaves, yuccas, aloes, and pyracanthas, but their effectiveness is not conclusively established.
- To keep snakes away from your property, maintaining a tidy yard by mowing the lawn regularly, trimming shrubs, and cutting down low-hanging branches can discourage them from hiding.
- Eliminating water sources, reducing or eliminating food sources, and eliminating hiding or nesting spots can also help deter snakes from your property.
- Using lava rock mulch in landscaping beds and installing a fence using 1/4-inch mesh or wire hardware cloth that's 4 feet high and buried 6 inches into the ground can be additional strategies to keep snakes at bay.
- Southern Living magazine, a popular home-and-garden publication, has welcomed Sean Foley to share his expert insights on dealing with snakes in the garden, as part of their lifestyle and gardening focus.
