Snakes don’t just “show up” in your yard. They’re invited. By your clutter, your bird feeders, your water features, even your compost. One overlooked habit could be turning your garden into a reptile magnet. Another could be silently protecting you without you realizing it. And the plant that drives snakes crazy?
Snakes follow food, cover, and water. If your yard offers all three, you’ve basically rolled out a welcome mat. Start by removing what attracts their prey: secure trash, seal compost bins, and keep birdseed and fallen fruit off the ground. Move bird feeders to the far edges of your property so spilled seed doesn’t lure rodents – and then snakes – right up to your home.
Next, make your yard feel exposed and uncomfortable for them. Mow regularly, trim shrubs, and clear woodpiles, scrap lumber, and thick groundcover where snakes can hide. Maintain or remove standing water so it doesn’t turn into a hunting zone. Then add natural deterrents: lemongrass is especially powerful, as its strong citrus scent repels both snakes and mosquitoes. Combined, these simple, consistent steps quietly shift your yard from perfect snake habitat to a place they’d rather slide past than settle in.