Snakes are listed as one of the dangerous animals to humans. Surely, none of us would want to encounter this animal in our home. Our ancestors have learned from their experience that to prevent snakes from coming to the house, we should not plant these 5 types of plants because they are the “ideal haven” for snakes.
1. Night-blooming jasmine, white frangipani, gardenia, sweet flag
Many people think that the fragrance from the flowers of these plants attracts snakes, but that is not true. Snakes are not attracted to these fragrant plants but are attracted to small prey such as insects, mice, frogs… which are lured by the scent. These prey are delicious meals for snakes, so they often hide in these plants to wait for their prey.
If you want to plant night-blooming jasmine or white frangipani, you should prune them so that the branches and leaves do not cover the ground. This way, snakes will not have a place to hide.
2. Asian pigeonwings
Asian pigeonwings are valuable herbs that can help treat stomachaches, indigestion, diarrhea, toothaches… Therefore, many families like to plant this plant for future use. However, few people know that Asian pigeonwings have a sweet taste and are food for mice and other small animals. Meanwhile, snakes love to eat these little animals and will find places with Asian pigeonwings to hunt for prey.
3. White hoya
White hoya is a type of flower with a pure white color, small and beautiful, which is often planted in front of houses. This flower has a fragrance that snakes love. It blooms all year round, with the most abundant blooming in May and June. The fragrance of the flower spreads far, so snakes will come when they smell it. If you are currently planting white hoya, you should remove it immediately to avoid regrets.
4. Hoya compacta
Hoya compacta is completely different from white hoya. Hoya compacta, also known as the snake tongue plant, grows well in wet places. When it blooms, it is completely white and very beautiful, but people should not plant it because it is believed that wherever this flower is, snakes are also present.
5. Pineapple (fragrant variety)
Pineapple plants bear sweet and fragrant fruits, which is a plant that snakes love. Therefore, to ensure safety for yourself and your family, people often plant pineapples outside the garden, far away from the house.
In addition, plants that can grow into large arbors, creating a cool space such as paper flowers, tiger lilies also attract green pit vipers, so women should not plant them around the house.
How to drive away and prevent snakes from entering the house
+ Plant ornamental plants that can repel snakes
For plants with distinctive smells (strong, pungent) such as garlic orchids, Chinese yam, snakes are very sensitive to these smells. If snakes do not smell them, it can cause discomfort and they will “run away” from the house. In particular, the snake tongue plant is particularly effective in repelling snakes.
In addition to their effective snake-repelling properties, these plants also add a touch of color to your living space, making it fresher and cooler. Therefore, buy them for your home and plant them in front of the gate or around the house.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is also one of the “forbidden” ingredients for snakes. To use this method, you can plant some lemongrass bushes around the house or take some crushed lemongrass and place it in window sills, doors, entryways, and house corners to block their entry. If the smell is too strong, you can replace it with lemongrass essential oil.
You just need to take some lemongrass oil and put it on a cotton ball or piece of fabric, then place it in necessary locations or use an essential oil diffuser, a water spray bottle with diluted essential oil, spray it throughout the house. This is a cheap and environmentally friendly method that is effective and makes the living space more comfortable and fragrant.
+ Spices with strong smells
You don’t need to go far, right in your own small kitchen, there are things that are the “bane” of snakes. Garlic, onions, shallots,… these are the ingredients on this list. With their spicy, strong, stimulating nature, these unexpected guests will be terrified.
Instead of using them directly, to make the most of their benefits, you can crush 10 sprigs of chives, 10 cloves of shallots, 1 clove of garlic, and a little bit of tobacco leaves, then crush them. After that, put them in a bag and hang them around the house, especially in places where snakes are easy to enter or carry them around. And the one who fears this method the most is the green pit viper with a red tail.
+ Raise dogs, cats
Although dogs and cats are not known as the “bane” of snakes, they can make snakes cautious. Just the smell or sound of barking or meowing from dogs and cats will make snakes scared and stay away. Furthermore, dogs and cats help “eliminate” the food sources of snakes (mice, insects, reptiles,…) so that they will lose interest in your home. Therefore, raise these loyal friends to have companionship and keep snakes away from your home.
+ Keep the house clean and tidy
Not only for snake prevention, but also cleaning the house, tidying up the space should always be done on a daily and weekly basis. The behavior of most animals (not just snakes) is to choose dark corners, dens, burrows, under beds,… as places to live. For this reason, cleaning the living space, arranging objects neatly, and providing good ventilation will remove their hiding places.
+ When you discover cracks, openings,… in the house, quickly cover them up because snakes and insects often choose these places as nests and breeding grounds.
+ If snakes are found in the house, you can use sulfur powder or sulfur to scatter on them. However, this method is not encouraged to be used frequently as it can affect the environment and human health. Only use it in urgent cases when there are no other necessary objects at hand.
3 Plant Varieties Snakes Love – For a Peaceful Home
There are 3 types of plants that attract and lure snakes into your home. Homeowners need to be especially careful and take note.
