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IF you are trying to keep snakes out of your garden, we certainly don’t blame you.
Unfortunately, snakes love to hang out in areas that are covered in a dense array of plants. They are drawn to spots where there is plenty of foliage which can serve as camouflage while they sneak up close enough to their prey to strike.
They also prefer densely canopied areas because the coverage provides shade to cool their skins while the weather is warm.
Snakes love a location that is an abundant source of food.
Unfortunately, these preferences mean that your garden is most likely a paradise to the eye of both venomous and non-venomous snakes alike.
Gardens are usually packed full of plants that cover the ground and provide both shade and plenty of hiding places.
Most gardens also have, at least, one or two beds that are devoted to food production, whether that means fruits or vegetables, and some also have an herb garden.
Even gardens that are completely devoted to blossoms and blooms still most likely contain plenty of plants that would make a great meal for a snake.
In addition, gardens are usually a hotspot for rodents and other small prey that a snake can add to their feast if they are not in the mood for simply a light salad.
Luckily, there are steps that gardeners can take to make their yards less attractive to serpents.
There are even plants you can grow that will make snakes think twice about making your garden their home — or even just a comfortable place to spend an afternoon.
Read on to learn all about how to keep snakes out of your garden, and you’ll also pick up a few steps you can take to deter these pests before they become an issue.
◆ Mow and tidy up the lawn
Snakes love nothing more than to slither through tall grass undetected.
Piles of rocks, wood, and other debris have lots of crevices and crannies that make a perfect place for snakes to hide between or underneath.
Eliminate this allure by cleaning up the ground in your yard, removing any and all unneeded debris, and mowing the grass regularly.
Snakes are not likely to stick around your yard when every spot they can find exposes them to the elements.
If they were safe and sound under a blanket of grass and debris, and find one day it’s all of a sudden clean and tidy, snakes will pack up and leave in a hurry.
◆ Keep hedges and bushes clean, too
Small prey, such as mice and frogs, tend to seek out the shelter of hedges, shrubs, or bushes to hide from predators and relax in the shaded areas that these small, ornamental garden fixtures provide. If the small prey has no place to hide, they will move on.
Once your garden area is lacking small prey for snakes to devour, they will search out places that are more accommodating to their appetites.
◆ Check structures for gaps or holes
Check the foundation around your home for small openings and gaps where snakes and other tiny reptiles can slide in and start setting up homes for their families.
Also check for cracks underneath the doors of your garage, tool shed, storm shelter, or other structures on your property.
When cleaning up the lawn, pay special attention to clearing debris away from structures as well.
Inspect the outside of your home for small holes and cracks, then seal them up for protection against any unwanted houseguests – especially the snakes that are so attracted to these nooks and crannies.
◆ Use a non-toxic snake repellent
Repellents are often packed full of potentially harmful chemicals that you don’t want anywhere near the garden where you grow your food.
◆ Cultivate plants that deter snakes naturally
Luckily, gardeners have access to some of the best weapons out there when it comes to fighting unwanted garden visitors.
We’re talking about the plants that have evolved to repel pests on their own in various ways, such as with strong odours or sharp thorns and leaves.
The four plants we’ve listed below are great choices to keep snakes moving along past your garden.
Choosing one or two of these may do the trick to prevent a snake infestation from occurring, but growing all four of these plants should do the trick to keep snakes away and send any current reptilian garden occupants slithering away. – gardeningchannel.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter