15 Plants That Accidentally Attract Snakes and Ticks

Unknowingly growing plants that may attract snakes and ticks to your yard.

Certain plants can inadvertently create environments that attract snakes and ticks, not because the plants are “calling” them in, but because they create shade, moisture, cover, food sources for rodents or birds, or thick places to hide. Here are 15 plants to be cautious of, especially if they are allowed to grow dense, messy, or close to the house.

1. Tall Grasses: Varieties like miscanthus, switchgrass, or fescue provide excellent cover for snakes and ticks. If you like ornamental grasses, plant them in contained clumps rather than long, unmowed borders. Cut them back hard once a year, keep the base clear of leaf litter, and avoid planting them right next to walkways, patios, or children’s play areas.

2. Wildflowers: While beautiful, flowers like goldenrod, aster, and black-eyed Susan can harbor ticks when planted in thick, meadow-like areas. The biggest issue is usually the unmowed edge, not the flowers themselves. Keep a mowed strip between wildflower beds and lawn areas, and avoid letting weeds and grasses fill in underneath.

3. Mulberry Trees: These attract birds and wildlife, which can help spread ticks around the yard. Fallen fruit can also attract rodents, and rodents may attract snakes. If you have a mulberry tree, rake up dropped fruit regularly and keep the lower branches trimmed so the area underneath stays open and dry.

4. Bamboo: Dense bamboo growth offers shelter for snakes and small animals. It also drops leaves that can build up into a thick, damp mat. Use a root barrier or large container if growing bamboo, thin the canes every year, and remove fallen leaves from the base. A common beginner mistake is planting running bamboo without a barrier, then losing control of the patch.

5. Kudzu: This invasive vine creates a perfect habitat for snakes by covering the ground, fences, shrubs, and debris piles. It also makes it difficult to see where you are stepping. If kudzu appears, remove it early by cutting vines close to the ground and digging out crowns where possible. Repeated cutting is usually needed.

6. Lemongrass: While lemongrass is often used to repel some insects, its dense, grassy growth can still hide ticks or small animals if neglected. Keep clumps trimmed and spaced apart. For a small patio planting, use a 12- to 14-inch pot and cut away dead blades often so the base does not become a damp hiding place.

7. Lavender: Lavender attracts many beneficial insects, but thick, woody, unpruned plants can create sheltered areas underneath. Lavender actually prefers dry, airy conditions, so prune lightly after flowering, avoid overwatering, and keep mulch away from the crown. If the plant is wet at the base most days, it is more inviting to pests.

8. Clover: Often used as ground cover, clover can be a tick host when it stays lush, low, and damp. This is especially true near woods, stone walls, or unmowed edges. If you grow clover in a lawn, keep it trimmed short and create a clear border between clover areas and brushy zones.

9. Honeysuckle: This vine attracts pollinators and birds, but it can also harbor ticks when it forms tangled thickets. Prune it regularly, remove dead stems, and keep it off the ground where possible. If it is growing over a fence, thin it so you can see through the plant rather than creating a solid wall of foliage.

10. Thyme: Ground-cover varieties can provide hiding spots for ticks if planted in thick mats, especially in damp or shaded beds. Thyme does best in sun and well-drained soil, so avoid planting it in wet, shady corners. Keep paths clear and trim back edges that creep into walking areas.

11. Pine Trees: Pine trees can provide cover for snakes and ticks underneath, especially when needles, cones, and branches are left to pile up. Keep the lower limbs pruned several feet off the ground if safe to do so, and rake heavy needle layers away from the house.

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