The Common Ground Cover That Could Be Hiding Snakes In Your Garden

Some plants are perfect for attracting butterflies and native bees to your garden. Others just lure snakes to your yard. And while snakes are beneficial for controlling mice and rats in the garden, that doesn't mean you want serpents hiding amidst your ground cover. English ivy (Hedera helix) is especially prone to attracting snakes, just in case you need one more reason to avoid planting this invasive species in your yard — or want extra motivation for removing ivy you already have.

English ivy's lush green leaves and ability to grow in everything from full sun to deep shade likely made it seem like a perfect plant for decorating the sides of buildings or providing a low-growing ground cover in spots where little else thrives, but it comes with major downsides. In addition to attracting snakes, who enjoy hiding and hunting under its cover, English ivy also attracts mice and rats, which make great snake snacks. It can also damage or kill trees and is even a hangout for mosquitoes and ticks.

If you've ended up with a yard covered in English ivy, there's still hope for removing this snake magnet. If venomous snakes are common in your area, be very careful when removing this plant, though. Work on cold days when snakes are less likely to be active, and wear protective clothing. Don't forget that ticks are also a potential issue around ivy. Some people can also develop rashes from touching the ivy. You can try mowing it down or using a weed wacker. You may need to repeat this process multiple times to fully eliminate your English ivy. Cut any vines that have started to climb up trees or houses to stop their growth.

It can be tricky to find a good ground cover that doesn't also make a great snake habitat. Clumps of native grasses could work well for providing ground covering without attracting snakes. You can also try using natural repellents to deter snakes. Avoiding plants entirely and instead using granite and gravel chips as a ground cover could also be a good option if you live in an area with a lot of venomous snakes.