Which Plants Keep Snakes Away?

There are many plant items out there that can get the job done, but here’s a couple of them – garlic, marigolds, skunk cabbage, lavender, mother-in-law’s tongue, and lemongrass. Others are tobacco, pink agapanthus, wormwood, witch hazel, vinegar, and the burnt leaves of rue, bay, and comfrey. Now, the list will be expounded, and each plant is to be given proper detailing.

1. Garlic

People who had been living in prehistoric times used this plant; it was mentioned by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. In those mentions, it was noted as being used for repelling snakes.

You can use garlic in several distinct ways. You can choose to plant it around the perimeter of your house – the snakes will not like crawling over the leaves. Garlic cloves – mostly crushed garlic – can spread over the edges of pools, patios, and other outdoor areas. Garlic will release oils, which help disorient the snake if the reptile decides to crawl over it. To increase the benefits of this plant, mix it with rock salt.

2. Marigolds

Using this plant to repel snakes will make you swear. It is a pretty plant that has a noxious odor, especially when it gets crushed. This odor is what snakes do not like. Also, the flowers have some astringent qualities that help to keep snakes away. As you choose to plant marigolds, remember that their flowers could slightly sting you. To get better results, intersperse the marigolds with other snake-repelling plants – marigolds do not match garlic’s strength.

3. Skunk Cabbage

To keep any snake away, you can use the skunk cabbage. However, stinky it gets (the skunk in the name), herbalists love it and use it to treat anxiety and insomnia, among other things. Snakes will not only hate the smell, but they will also get harmed. If snakes slither through a region that is full of the skunk cabbage, they will not want to go there again.

If you’re planting the skunk cabbage, do it well away from people or areas that people or pets may occupy. Remember, the stink of this herb is the same as that of a skunk.

4. Lavender

Lavender is an intense aromatic that works logically and repels snakes. Snakes eat mice, and that is one of their main reasons for moving into homes. When you plant sweet-smelling plants such as lavenders, mice and other rodents will stay away from their house since good smells are not their cup of tea.

The good thing about these aromatics is that they can be planted near areas that pets and people will congregate.

5. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue

In any way, would you want to scare the hell out of snakes? If so, look no further – this is the plant. In some places, people know it as ‘Snake Plants.’ Its leaves are incredibly sharp, which explains its name – mothers-in-law (especially women) talk a lot of bull-sugar sometimes, don’t you think?

If a snake spots the leaves of this plant, they will look elsewhere for food. The other reason you should go for this plant is that it is easy to grow, and it looks stunning.

6. Lemongrass

This is another plant that will repel snakes successfully. In many Asian cultures, lemongrass is a favorite ingredient for many cuisines. Do you know citronella, you know, the famous mosquito repellent? If you do, then you should know that lemongrass is the mother of the anti-mosquito item.

When the lemongrass is crushed, it emits a strong citrus smell. Since that is the case, snakes will not want to cross it. Planting lemongrass will also keep ticks and mosquitoes away since both insects do not like it. If you need a more substantial barrier, intersperse lemongrass with other plants that work to repel snakes.

7. Tobacco

Because of the addiction problems it causes, this plant is among the most maligned. However, that does not mean that it doesn’t have useful properties. At first, it was chosen to treat asthma – it was installed in asthma inhalers. The smell of nicotine is what snakes hate, which is why tobacco is a good and excellent ant and snake repellent.

Since tobacco is not the most potent of all the anti-snake items listed, it should be used together with a more potent repellent.

8. Pink Agapanthus

In other words, it is also called sweet garlic – a flowering perennial. Although it is native to Southern Africa, you can plant it elsewhere. Another essential and beneficial detail is the pink agapanthus is that it is drought resistant. The plant is of the bulb type, and snakes do not like the smell of it and many insects.

Usually, the plant grows tall up to two feet, having pink, pretty flowers on them. It is from the onion family. It makes it to this list because it has the same effects on snakes as garlic does.

9. Wormwood

Herbalists use this plant for many reasons: dealing with stomach upsets and getting rid of parasites living in the intestines. Also, it can be used to keep snakes away. Wormwood has a strong muskily odor that irritates snakes. You can plant it outside the areas you want snakes to avoid. To prepare it, make it into a tea and then spray it around the edges. You can also dry the leaves of the plant, pound them in a mortar, and then spread the pounding around the area. To complete the barrier, add rock salt and garlic.

10. Witch Hazel

For many commercial snake repellents that are made, companies use distilled witch hazel as a base. It has astringent features; its odor is distinct. Snakes that slither through witch hazel will get stung and then irritated.

11. Vinegar

The reason why vinegar is an excellent by-product to keep away snakes is that it is repellent. If vinegar is spread around areas such as the pool and concrete (or gravel) areas, the snakes will stay away. The best kind of vinegar is the white kind, such as rice wine vinegar – these do not stain anything.

12. Burnt Leaves Of Rue, Bay, And Comfrey

Most of the plants mentioned in this ‘repellent’ section either have herbal or culinary usage. Well, when you burn them, an entire range of chemicals get created. So, the resultant item should be spread around the areas where snakes are likely to be coiling. The snakes will not crawl over the ashes.

Repelling Snakes, The Natural Way (Ideas)

Since we’ve looked at the plants that can be used to repel snakes, how about we go natural? This section will start the ball rolling and help you repel snakes most naturally. So, go ahead, scratch the surface, and get knowing!

PS: Going the natural way ensures that no snakes are hurt. If you’re environmentally cautious and love wildlife, you should smile at this point.

1. Naphthalene

Products such as ‘Snake-A-Way’ contain naphthalene, which is probably the most common snake repellent. If you can get mothballs, you will have all the naphthalene you need – they are the main component. You can then toss a few of the balls under the porch. This will prevent snakes from hanging out under there.

As you decide to go for naphthalene, remember that its scent is very intense. It may linger around your porch for weeks and months.

2. Keep Chickens Or Pigs

By choosing to go for animal husbandry, you will create enemies for the snakes. Sometimes, snakes will try to get into the coops of chicken for the chicken eggs. The birds and turkey, and guinea pigs will retaliate and kill the snakes that try to get into the cage. Also, pigs will stage a fight with the snakes.

3. Plant Roses

Snakes will not spare birdhouses in their quest to ingest bird eggs. What you need to do is to plant bushes of roses at the bottom of the birdhouse post. Ensure that the stems are wound around the bar. These will act as excellent snake repellents.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils such as cedarwood, clove, and cinnamon will repel snakes effectively. This is how the oils work – the snakes think that the oils will melt and corrode their scales. Thus, the reptiles will stay away from them. The oils will help to keep the snakes at bay.

5. Plug Holes

Holes are pathways that allow snakes to penetrate and make their way into your basement. Since you don’t want snakes to think they’re invited, try using meshed hardware cloth or foaming sealant, or screening. When you plug the holes, the job is as good as using any anti-snake product.

6. Clear Debris

You are likely to find debris near structures, like shrubs, woodpiles, and mulch. These collections may house snakes or their sources of food. Once you ensure that everything is clean, snakes will be prevented from entering your garage or the house.

7. Sulfur

As with essential oils, sulfur offends snakes and discourages them from slithering into tight spaces.  

8. Relocate Snakes

If the snakes in your area are a big problem, you need to get them back to the wild. You can get animal control to deal with that, or you can go rogue and pick them.

People have reported having caught snakes and relocated them across rivers or into the woods.

Here’s a tabulated summary of the snake repellent methods:

Keeping Snakes Away
Using Plants	Going Natural
1. Garlic 2. Marigold 3. Skunk cabbage 4. Lavender 5. Mother-in-law’s tongue 6. Lemongrass 7. Tobacco 8. Pink agapanthus 9. Wormwood 10. Witch hazel 11. Vinegar 12. Burnt leaves of rue, bay, and comfrey.	1. Naphthalene 2. Keeping Chickens or Pigs 3. Planting Roses 4. Using Essential Oils 5. Plugging Holes 6. Clearing Debris 7. Using Sulfur 8. Relocating the Snakes

Snakes 101: Keeping The Slithering Away With 5 Actions

This section will expound on some of the anti-snake details mentioned elsewhere. The methods to be given here have been tried and tested, and the advice is generally accepted since qualified herpetologists give it. These methods are guaranteed to work without harming the snakes – although you dislike them. Bury yourself in and get your fair share of knowledge.

1. Elimination Of Rodents And Other Sources Of Food 

Snakes are predators whose primary duty is to obtain food. If you see snakes showing up in your yard, you probably have something that the snakes can eat – something in the shape of mice.

If your yard is full of rodents, you need to brace yourself for a snake infestation (don’t be scared!). The sooner you take care of the rodent problem, the better. This will help you make an immediate dent in the number of snakes showing up around your house.

Also, the rodents don’t just come to your house to watch TV – they are there to feed on the leftovers and the scented trails. So, ensure that the bins where you throw leftover food are sealed if they need to.

2. Keeping Of Water Sources Unavailable And Dry

Snakes, like all animals, need water. So, they will make a stop where they see a water source. Since many houses have swimming pools, snakes go there to drink the water. Sometimes, they fall into the pool and fail to get an escape way. So, seal all the points of access to the swimming pool.

3. Maximization Of Exposure (Remember, Snakes Also Want To Stay Cool)

Many people believe that snakes thrive in the heat. However, the truth is that snakes spend lots of their time trying to be cool. They engage in a process called active thermoregulation.

So, snakes will reach out and rest on any shaded ground. Since the temperatures get scorching hot, the ground becomes unbearable for the snake, and thus, it searches for shades.

Clear all the bushes that snakes may want to hide. How do you know the right time to cut down a bush? Simple – when you can no longer see the ground.

4. Keeping Clear Of All Walkways

It would be spine-tingling to walk into a snake. So, walkways should always be well lit – especially at night to prevent scary encounters.