What Attracts Snakes to Homes and Gardens and Where They Hide

What Attracts Snakes to Homes and Gardens and Where They Hide

Snakes do not visit randomly.

They come for food, water, and shelter.

If your environment provides these, you increase your risk.

Here is what draws them in and where they hide.

What Attracts Snakes

1. Rodents

Rats and mice are a major food source for snakes.

If rodents live around your home, snakes will follow.

Common rodent attractors: • Open food storage

• Garbage left uncovered

• Poultry feed scattered on the ground

• Cluttered storage rooms

Control rodents and you reduce snake visits.

2. Bushy and Overgrown Vegetation

Thick grass and untrimmed shrubs create cover.

Snakes prefer hidden paths where predators and humans cannot see them.

High risk areas: • Tall grass around fences

• Untrimmed hedges

• Abandoned plots near your home

Keep your compound clean and trimmed.

3. Piles of Debris

Snakes love dark, cool, undisturbed spaces.

Examples: • Wood piles

• Bricks stacked on bare ground

• Scrap metal

• Old tires

• Firewood stored directly on soil

These places provide both shelter and warmth.

4. Standing Water

Water attracts frogs and insects.

Frogs attract snakes.

Sources include: • Leaking outdoor taps

• Poor drainage

• Open water containers

• Ponds without maintenance

Fix leaks and remove stagnant water.

5. Chicken Coops and Bird Cages

Eggs and chicks attract snakes.

If you keep poultry, secure the coop properly.

Seal small holes.

Use strong mesh.

Elevate cages from ground level.

6. Cool, Dark Shelter During Heat

In hot climates, snakes search for cool hiding spots.

Common entry points: • Gaps under doors

• Cracks in walls

• Open vents

• Broken drainage pipes

Seal all openings.

Where Snakes Hide Around Homes

Snakes prefer quiet areas with little disturbance.

Typical hiding spots: • Under piles of leaves

• Inside abandoned containers

• Under rocks and slabs

• In ceiling spaces

• Inside unused shoes left outside

• Under furniture in poorly lit storage rooms

• Inside drainage systems

In gardens: • Compost heaps

• Mulch beds

• Thick flower beds

• Under garden sheds

How to Reduce Risk

• Cut grass regularly

• Clear clutter

• Store firewood off the ground

• Seal wall cracks

• Install door sweeps

• Control rodents

• Keep surroundings clean

Snakes do not seek humans.

They seek survival.

If your home provides food and shelter, you invite them.

Remove what attracts them and you reduce your risk.