How To Repel Snakes Using The Best Snake Repellent Plants

Snakes are a natural part of our ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean you want to see them on your property. Luckily, there are several plants that will repel not only snakes but also other pests from your yard.

In today’s article, we’re talking all about how to repel snakes using the best snake repellent plants. These tactics are not only effective, but they are also safe for your family, pets, and even the environment.

But before we talk about the best snake repellent plants, let’s first take a moment to talk about the critter that has likely brought you here – snakes.

What You Should Know About Snakes

1 a green snake on a tree
Most snakes are harmless to people and pets.

Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints than their lizard cousins, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads with their highly mobile jaws. To accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes’ paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and most have only one functional lung.

Many species of snakes are oviparous (egg-laying), although viviparity (giving birth to live young) is known among at least 50 genera and some species give birth to live young after carrying the developing embryos inside their bodies for several months or even years before giving birth. Snakes’ secretive nature, muted colors, immobility when in captivity, and varying behavior patterns based on species have made them popular pets throughout history. However, more of then than not people tend to fear snakes.

Snakes are not only a natural part of our ecosystem, as we mentioned above, but they are also an important part of the ecosystem. They help to keep populations of rodents and insects in check, which keeps us safe from the diseases that these types of pests can carry. Snakes also provide other benefits for humans as well.

In fact, snakes are so important that some species have been reintroduced into areas where they had become extinct. For example, after being eradicated from their native habitat by humans, timber rattlesnakes were reintroduced into several eastern states between 1995 and 2005. These snakes help regulate rodent populations by hunting rodents down and eating them whole!

Some snakes eat rats and mice, while others eat small birds or lizards (like kingsnakes). These animals can be very destructive if left unchecked — they can chew through wood and electrical wires and cause fires or blackouts in homes. This can be very dangerous for people who live in rural areas or in homes with wooden siding. But having a snake around could mean there is less chance that you’ll have a problem with some of these pests!

Snakes are a diverse group of reptiles that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In the United States alone, there are about 50 species of snakes.

The majority of snakes in the United States are harmless and pose no threat to humans. However, some snakes can be dangerous if you encounter them in the wild. The venomous snakes found in North America include:

Rattlesnakes – There are several different species of rattlesnake found throughout the country, but only four are considered dangerous: western diamondback, eastern diamondback, western pygmy rattlesnake, and Mojave rattlesnake.

Coral snakes – There are four species of coral snake found in the U.S., but only two are known to cause serious damage: Arizona coral snake and eastern coral snake. Coral snakes have red bodies with black bands separated by yellow or white bands (depending on the species).

Copperheads – Copperheads have distinctive copper-colored heads with hourglass-shaped crossbands down their backs. They’re generally shy creatures that prefer to hide under rocks and logs when they’re not hunting for food.

Cottonmouths / Water Moccasins- Cottonmouths are members of the pit viper family, which means they have heat-sensitive pits on their heads that enable them to track down warm-blooded prey by sensing their body heat. Cottonmouths are also known as water moccasins because they often live near bodies of water and can swim very well.

While the above snakes can be dangerous to people and pets, the truth is that the most common type of snake you come across is going to be a nonvenomous species that eats insects and small mammals. These snakes usually live in trees or holes in the ground.

With that said, it’s important to never attempt to handle a snake unless you know for certain if it is nonvenomous. Furthermore, if you’re aware you live in an area where venomous snakes are common, it’s best to use several methods for snake removal and prevention in conjunction with using the best snake repellent plants to keep snakes at bay.

Let’s learn more.

Why Are Snakes Attracted To Your Yard Or Garden?

2 a brown snake
Snakes are attracted to food, water, and shelter.

If you hate snakes, you’re not alone. Many people throughout the United States and even the world have a serious fear of these slithering reptiles. However, the truth is that snakes are not out to get you. If you have snakes in your yard or garden, chances are they are there looking for food, water, a place to hide, and a place to mate. Snakes do not like to be disturbed and will usually leave you alone as long as you leave them alone.

It’s quite common to run into a snake or two in your yard or garden, especially if the weather is warm. However, if you notice you have an abundance of snakes, your yard could be providing them with something they like that is attracting them there.

Keep in mind that snakes are attracted to yards and gardens because they provide many of the things they need to survive. The following is a list of some of the reasons why snakes may be found in your yard or garden:

Food – Snakes eat birds, rodents, and insects that live close to people’s homes. They also eat other frogs, lizards, and sometimes even other snakes.

Water – Snakes need water to keep their bodies moist as well as help them digest food. They drink from puddles and wet soil during dry weather and hibernate during winter months when there is little rain or snowfall.

Hiding Places – Snakes use the same hiding places year after year. Common hiding places can be in brush, shrubs, old burrows left behind by rodents, in old gardening debris, below decks, and even below potted plants or large boulders.

Hibernating snakes will often emerge from their hiding places when spring arrives, so it’s common to see an uptick in snakes around this time, especially as you break out your gardening gloves and begin poking around areas snakes may have been nesting.

While one or two snakes are common occurrences in your yard or garden, several could be a sign that you have a bigger issue such as other pests like rodents.

There are several steps you can take to repel snakes from your yard and garden, but one of the first is to make sure you’re removing their food source. We will talk about that further down, but for now, let’s talk about how to repel snakes using the best snake repellent plants.

Do Snake Repellent Plants Really Work to Repel Snakes?

3 a garter snake
Plants can help repel snakes, though they won’t work completely on their own.

In many areas, snakes are a natural part of the environment. However, they can be harmful to humans and pets, so it’s important to know how to deal with them. There are many different methods that people use in order to get rid of snakes in their yard, but one of the most popular is using snake repellent plants. These are plants that are known for their ability to repel snakes and keep them away from your property using either texture, scent, or sometimes even both.

Snake repellent plants are a popular way to keep snakes away from your yard. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that these plants really repel snakes.

The idea behind snake repellent plants is that if you plant certain species of plants in your garden or landscape, snakes will avoid them because they do not like the smell or taste of the plant. Snakes use their sense of smell to locate prey and avoid predators. By planting snake repellent plants in your yard, you can trick snakes into thinking there is another predator nearby that should be avoided at all costs.

Some people have claimed success with using snake repellent plants for this purpose by planting them around their homes and gardens. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove this theory works completely on its own to keep snakes at bay.

However, snake repellent plants can have another effect you might find useful when it comes to repelling snakes. Remember, snakes may be attracted to your yard or garden due to other pests that they prey on like rodents, insects, and other reptiles.

Many of the snake repellent plants on our list not only work to repel snakes but also work to repel pests that may be attractive to snakes.

Below is a list of several snake repellent plants shown to work well in conjunction with other methods for keeping snakes at bay.

  • Dracaena Trifaciata
  • Allium Plants
  • Marigolds
  • Mugwort
  • Indian Snakeroot
  • Lily of the Nile
  • Holly
  • Lemongrass
  • Mother-in-Law’s Tongue
  • Pink Agapanthus

Let’s learn more.

Dracaena Trifasciata

4 Dracaena Trifasciata
The Dracaena Trifaciata is ironically sometimes known as the snake plant.

Dracaena Trifaciata is a genus of about 60 species of trees, shrubs, and climbing plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae. It can be found in tropical Africa to Asia and the Pacific Islands. The genus was named after a Greek mythological female dragon, the name resembling the word for serpent in Greek. The leaves are opposite and cylindrical, with entire margins. The flowers are produced in umbels. The fruit is a small berry containing one or two seeds.

Dracaena trifasciata works well as a snake repellent plant because of its strong smell. The smell is offensive to snakes which makes them want to avoid the area around it. It also has sharp spines on its stems which help protect it from being eaten by animals like rabbits and deer.

The leaves of this plant also repel other pests like mosquitoes and flies. You can also use this plant to repel termites in your house or garden shed by placing them near doors or windows where you have noticed potential pest activity.

Allium Plants

5 allium plant
Allium plants are plants like garlic, onions, and chives.

Allium plants are a great way to repel snakes. These flowers are known for their strong scent and have been used for centuries to keep away pests. Allium plants include garlic, chives, and onions. These plants produce a strong odor that snakes find repulsive. Snakes don’t like the smell of garlic, so you can use it to keep them away from your home or garden.

Allium plants come in many different varieties and colors, so they’re a versatile version of snake repellent plants. You can plant some in your garden or around your home to keep snakes away from them. This plant is easy to grow and will make your yard look beautiful as well as help you get rid of unwanted snakes!

Snakes find the scent of these snake repellent plants very unpleasant, which is why they will avoid areas where these flowers are planted. The smell coming from the plant keeps the snake away from the area where it is planted, so you don’t have to worry about having any extra work done on your property just yet!

Not only does this plant keep snakes away from your property, but it also helps repel other pests as well! You can use allium plants around your garden or yard to repel mice, rats, spiders, roaches, and ants.

Marigolds

6 marigolds
Marigolds are a beautiful addition to your garden. They are fragrant, lovely, and also snake repellent plants.

Marigolds are the perfect flower to use as snake repellent plants. They are easy to grow and will do well in most climates.

But what are marigolds?

Marigolds are plants that come from the genus Tagetes and there are about 60 different species of marigolds that can be found around the world. The most common type of marigold is T. minuta which is native to Mexico but has been introduced throughout the world by humans. Marigolds have bright yellow flowers with dark centers and grow in clusters on thick stems. While they may not look like much at first glance, they produce a strong scent when crushed which makes them very effective at repelling garden insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and other pests like snakes.

Snakes have a very sensitive sense of smell and if they are exposed to any kind of irritant like the strong odor of marigolds it can cause them to move away from the area quickly.

Mugwort

7 mugwort
Though the name may sound strange, mugwort is excellent at repelling snakes and many other types of pests.

Mugwort is a perennial plant that repels snakes. It is also known as wild artichoke, and you may have seen it growing in your yard by accident. It is native to North America and has been used for centuries to repel snakes, rodents, and other pests.

The smell of mugwort repels snakes by confusing them so they are unable to hunt effectively. This is why these types of snake repellent plants can allow you a better likelihood of enjoying the outdoors without fear of being startled by a snake in your yard.

Mugwort is also effective against mice, rats, and rabbits because of its strong smell. It has also been used as an insect repellent because it contains thujone which kills insects when they come into contact with it.

If you want to plant mugwort, note that this plant likes full sun and well-drained soil so it can grow quickly in springtime before cooler temperatures set in for the rest of the year.

Indian Snakeroot

8 Indian Snake root
Indian Snakeroot grows bright red berries and has a scent that is repulsive to snakes.

Indian Snakeroot, or Eupatorium rugosum, is a plant native to North America and is one of the most effective snake repellent plants. It can be found growing in the wild in many states and is an important part of the ecosystem. It’s also an important medicinal herb that has been used for hundreds of years by Native Americans and European settlers alike.

Indian Snakeroot has many uses and benefits, including acting as a repellent for snakes. But how does it work?

Indian Snakeroot’s active ingredient is called euparin, which is also found in plants like boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum), and Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum). However, Indian Snakeroot contains more euparin than any of those other plants. That’s why it’s so effective at repelling snakes!

In addition to being a snake repellent, Indian Snakeroot can also keep away other pests like mice, rats, and rabbits from your property.

Lily of the Nile

9 lily of the nile
Lily of the Nile plants are beautiful and wonderful at repelling snakes

Lily of the Nile is a beautiful plant with large flowers and deep green leaves that can grow up to three feet tall. It’s also known as Agapanthus, Blue Lily, or African Lily.

Lily of the Nile is a perennial plant that is another of the best snake repellent plants you can find. It grows from corms or tubers and is easy to grow. The plant can be planted directly in your garden or grown indoors as houseplants.

Lily of the Nile has many uses around your garden, yard, and home. It works as an insect repellent, pest repellent, snake repellent, and rodent deterrent. The plant emits an odor that insects don’t like so it will keep them away from your plants without harmful chemicals or pesticides.

Snakes find this plant offensive because it contains oxalic acid which irritates their skin when touched by it causing them to leave the area quickly. Rodents also dislike this plant because it smells bad and is toxic to them if ingested so they will avoid eating any part of it at all costs!

Holly

10 holly
Holly is a popular holiday plant but it is also great at repelling snakes.

Holly is a popular choice when it comes to snake repellent plants. It is an evergreen shrub with small leaves, and it grows to be about four feet tall. Holly plants have a strong scent that snakes are not fond of, and they tend to avoid areas where holly plants are present.

Holly is a member of the rose family and produces small white flowers in the spring. It has sharp thorns on its branches which can be painful if you brush up against them. Holly is also known as Ilex opaca or American holly.

Holly repels other pests as well. It is said to repel mice and deer, but it does not seem to keep them away permanently. If you want to use holly as a repellent plant for mice or deer, you should plant it in areas that are not frequented by humans.

The best way to plant holly is to find seeds at your local nursery or hardware store, then plant them in the spring after the last frost has passed. Holly can also be propagated by taking cuttings from the mother plant.

Lemongrass

11 lemongrass
Lemongrass is used as a common ingredient in many types of pest control products.

Lemongrass is a perennial plant that grows to around three feet tall and has a lemony scent. It can be grown outdoors, but it can also be grown as an indoor plant. Lemongrass is often used in cooking, but it also works well as a natural pest repellent. For this reason, we have included it on our list of snake repellent plants.

Lemongrass is known by several different names, including citronella grass and Cymbopogon citrates. This member of the Poaceae family is native to India and Africa but has been introduced to many other areas of the world as well.

But how does Lemongrass work as one of our snake repellent plants?

Lemongrass contains a chemical called geraniol that repels insects and snakes. The scent is strong enough that you don’t need to worry about keeping your plants too close to your home for them to be effective as snake repellents.

Along with being one of the best snake repellent plants, lemongrass also works well against ants, spiders, and termites because of its strong scent. In fact, it’s often mixed with salt or soap when making homemade insecticides because of its potency.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue

12 mother in laws tongue
Mother in law’s tongue has a unique name and an even more unique ability to repel pests.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is a succulent that has long, narrow leaves with a sharp point at the end. It gets its name from the fact that it looks similar to a tongue. However, it is also one of the best snake repellent plants.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) is an ornamental plant native to Africa. It was introduced to the United States in 1828 and has since become popular as an indoor plant due to its attractive leaves and hardiness. The plant is also used in traditional medicine throughout Africa as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue contains chemicals called glycosides which make it unpalatable for most insects and reptiles. Snakes are especially sensitive to glycosides so they will avoid coming near Mother-in-Law’s Tongue plants when possible. Other pests such as snails, slugs, and beetles may also not be able to eat these plants either because of their bitter taste or because they cannot digest them properly if they do.

Pink Agapanthus

13 Pink Agapanthus
These beautiful lilies are excellent snake repellents.

Another of the best snake repellent plants is the pink agapanthus. The pink agapanthus is a flowering plant native to South Africa and Madagascar. It is a summer-blooming perennial that grows from three to six feet tall, with large flowers that can be up to 10 inches wide. The blooms are usually white but can be found in shades of pink, blue or purple as well.

Pink agapanthus repels snakes, rodents, and other pests. It also attracts bees and butterflies, so it’s a great addition to your garden if you want to add some color without sacrificing natural forms of pest control by using the best snake repellent plants. The plant also produces fragrant flowers that attract pollinators into the garden, while repelling pests and rodents at the same time!

The Pink Agapanthus plant is known for repelling snakes and rodents due to its strong scent; however, it also repels rabbits, ants, mosquitoes, and flies!

Snake Repellent Plants – What You Should Know Before You Start Planting

14 a rattle snake

While many snake repellent plants can be effective, the most effective method for snake control is to use several products and methods at once.

Snake repellent plants are a great way to help keep snakes away from your yard and garden. They can be used in flower beds, on pathways, and in vegetable gardens.

It’s important to understand however that snake repellent plants will not work on their own. You need to combine this method with other methods of snake control such as fencing, trapping, and removing debris piles.

The best way to get the most out of snake repellent plants is to use them in conjunction with other methods, as we mentioned above. It’s also best to take measures to ensure your yard and garden are not especially attractive to snakes.

The best way to repel snakes is to use a combination of snake repellent plants and other methods like a snake fence or snake trap.

If you’re dealing with snakes, the first thing you need to do is make sure that your yard is enclosed in a snake fence. Snakes can enter your yard from anywhere, so make sure that there are no holes or gaps in the fence.

Once you have an adequate snake fence, you should begin planting snake repellent plants around your lawn, flowerbeds, and gardens.

Along with using snake fences, snake traps, and snake repellent plants, you can also use chemical snake repellents.

Don’t leave pet food outside. Leaving pet food outside is an open invitation for rats and mice, which can in turn attract snakes.

It’s also best to keep your yard clean and free of debris. Snakes like cool, dark places where they can hide from predators and find food easily. Garbage cans, piles of leaves, and other debris are great places for them to congregate. Get rid of these things as often as possible so that there aren’t any hiding spots left behind that could attract a snake looking for somewhere to live or hide away from the sun.

Last, contact an exterminator if your snake problem is serious or if you find you are dealing with venomous snakes that could be dangerous. Remember, while most snakes are harmless and even beneficial, some venomous snakes could be deadly if you’re not careful.

Best of luck and thanks for reading!

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