Many people don’t realise how factors like food sources (rodents), overgrown vegetation, piles of materials, open water and gaps in buildings can draw snakes toward human dwellings, as these environments offer shelter and prey for them.
Such conditions increase the risk of dangerous encounters — a reality tragically highlighted by the recent death of Nigerian singer Ifunanya Nwangene, aged 26, who was bitten by a snake inside her Abuja home while asleep and later died despite medical efforts.
Her passing has sparked deep sadness and conversations about snake safety and emergency car.
Here are 10 things that attracts Snakes to ones house:
Snakes are usually attracted to homes because the environment provides food, shelter, water, or warmth. Common factors include:
1. Abundant food sources
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Rats and mice
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Frogs and toads
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Lizards and small birds
If your house has rodents, snakes may follow.
2. Bushes and overgrown vegetation
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Tall grass
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Thick shrubs close to the house
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Untended gardens
These give snakes hiding and hunting spots.
3. Piles of materials
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Firewood stacks
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Blocks, planks, roofing sheets
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Scrap metal or unused items
Such piles create cool, dark shelters.
4. Poor waste management
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Open refuse dumps
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Leftover food around the house
These attract rodents, which in turn attract snakes.
5. Standing water
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Open drains
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Ponds, waterlogged areas
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Leaking pipes
Water attracts prey animals and some snake species.
6. Holes and cracks in buildings
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Gaps in walls or foundations
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Broken doors and windows
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Unsealed drains
Snakes can easily enter through small openings.
7. Poultry or livestock nearby
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Chicken coops
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Bird cages
Eggs and small animals can attract snakes.
8. Cool, quiet hiding places
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Store rooms rarely used
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Under beds or furniture
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Ceilings and crawl spaces
9. Heat sources
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Generator areas
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Warm electrical appliances
Snakes may seek warmth, especially during rainy or cold periods.
10. Location near bush or water bodies
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Houses close to forests, farms, or rivers
These natural habitats increase snake encounters.
Prevention tips: keep surroundings clean, clear bushes, block holes, control rodents, dispose of waste properly, and ensure good lighting around the house.