To prevent snakes from entering your home, try these methods.

It must be emphasized that no scientific study has yet concluded on a completely effective solution to prevent snakes from entering homes; all methods are based on folk remedies that have been tested and passed down through generations.

Planting trees to repel snakes.

Shallots (or chives) can keep snakes away from your neighborhood. Photo: IT

According to Mr. Nguyen Cuong, a farmer in Da Lat: "There is no scientific evidence that plants can repel snakes. However, farmers, based on experience, have identified some plants that many households use that can successfully repel snakes."

The principle for repelling snakes is based on making the surrounding environment unsuitable for them, so that the snakes will go elsewhere. Mr. Cuong further shared: "It is believed that snakes do not like plants with strong scents, so they will choose to go somewhere else."

Garlic flowers are also one of the plants that repel snakes. Photo: IT

Some examples of plants like mint, lemongrass, and garlic orchids are those that will keep snakes away from your home. In particular, the red-tailed pit viper is extremely sensitive to smells, so planting these plants will be even more effective.

Specifically, shallots, belonging to the onion family, are commonly known as spring onions or white onions. This is a special spice because the essential oils in its bulbs and leaves have a milder and spicier aroma than onions/garlic, so when snakes detect the smell from afar, they will try to avoid it and dare not come near.

The sap from the cassava plant has an unpleasant smell that repels snakes. Photo: IT

Garlic orchid is a climbing plant with purple, sweet-tasting flowers that have cooling properties, help prevent rashes, and are a good sedative. However, because its leaves have a very strong, unpleasant garlic smell—even stronger than garlic itself—snakes avoid areas where it is grown.

The third plant, which is quite familiar to us, is the kudzu plant. Because the sap secreted from the kudzu plant has an unpleasant smell, it scares snakes away.

Use realgar powder

Use realgar powder (commonly sold at traditional Chinese medicine shops), whose chemical name is arsenic sulfide. This is a substance that snakes strongly dislike. When snakes smell realgar, they will leave immediately because it is a very potent poison to them.

Realgar powder is extremely toxic; it can scare snakes away immediately, but it is also very harmful to the environment and humans. Photo: IT

However, extreme caution is required when using it, as it is toxic to humans. Thick rubber gloves and a face mask must be worn when sprinkling realgar, in a calm environment, and hands must be thoroughly washed afterward.

It is especially important not to leave it in the environment for too long and to prevent it from contaminating water or food. Once the purpose of repelling snakes is achieved, it must be cleaned up thoroughly. Besides realgar, incense can also be burned to repel snakes; this is also a scent that snakes strongly dislike.

Snake repellent

Besides using plants, if people want to repel snakes from their living areas or keep them away, they can make their own snake repellent by crushing 10 shallots and mixing them with 5g of realgar, or by crushing one garlic clove, 10 shallots, and a little tobacco, putting them in a cloth bag, and wearing it. The smell of the herbs will keep snakes away.

Cleaning the house

Snakes are extremely fond of darkness and cool places. Therefore, to prevent snakes from suddenly taking up residence in your home, you should clean dark areas such as under beds and cabinets thoroughly. At the same time, you should regularly check areas around water tanks, bathtubs, and washing machines, as these are also cool areas where snakes like to hide.

This will leave the snakes nowhere to hide and also allow you to quickly detect the "illegal" intrusion of this dangerous animal.

What should you do if you find a snake in your house?

If you discover a snake in your house, you can use a broom handle or a long stick to chase it away. (Photo: IT)

- Find a long stick or broom handle and gently shoo it away.

- If you find a snake on the floor, you can use a thick blanket or quilt to cover it. The snake will feel safe in the dark and unable to see anything around it, making it less aggressive. Then, find a heavy object to weigh down the edges of the blanket to prevent the snake from escaping.

- If the snake is in a hidden corner, such as a drawer or cupboard, leave it alone. Get everyone out of the room and seek help from a professional snake catcher or call a wildlife rescue team.

- A very common situation in mountainous areas is encountering a venomous snake in the garden. In this case, do not try to kill it. When feeling threatened, the snake will attack people.