Buzz
A snake suddenly appearing in your house can be quite alarming when you first spot it! While snakes can seem frightening, it’s important to remember they don't come inside to harm you. Stay calm as you think of how to handle the situation and avoid provoking the snake. Not all snakes are life-threatening, but it’s always best to stay cautious. Here, we've gathered some common questions and answers to help you handle a snake safely if it enters your home.
Steps to Take
What should you do if you find a snake inside your home?
Remove young children and pets from the area with the snake. Due to their small size, children and pets are more at risk of being bitten than adults. They can also act unpredictably, which could further agitate the snake. Calmly remove people and animals from the dangerous area to free yourself up to deal with the snake safely.
- If a young child is bitten, call emergency services immediately. Even if the snake is non-venomous, it's always better to be cautious.
- If you suspect a pet has been bitten by a snake, take them to a veterinary clinic or contact a poison control center. If the pet has swelling, redness, or bruising, act quickly as these may indicate serious harm or even the risk of death.
How can I get rid of snakes in the house?
Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the snake. Even if the likelihood of the snake being venomous is very low, you should still avoid getting too close. You should not leave the snake alone because it might slither to another part of the house unnoticed, but make sure to keep your distance. However, if the snake starts moving and you are worried that your presence could provoke it, leave the area and contact animal control.
- If the snake coils up and remains still, you can slowly place a bucket or box over it to restrict its movement.
Open the door and gently guide the snake outside with a broom. Only attempt this if you're certain the snake is not venomous. Do not push the snake with the broom. Just open the door and find a way to guide it outside gently. Since the snake's presence in your home is likely accidental, it may also be looking for an escape!
- If the snake is in an area with multiple doors leading outside, such as a garage, try opening all the doors. The snake may find its way out once it sees an exit nearby.
How can I tell if a snake is venomous?
Unfortunately, distinguishing between venomous and non-venomous snakes based on color alone is a myth. However, you can learn the characteristics of common snakes in your area to better identify venomous and non-venomous species. Always be cautious when encountering a snake indoors, as some species can be difficult to definitively identify.
- You can also explore the features of different snake species in your area on environmental or wildlife websites.
Where do snakes typically hide in the house?
Snakes prefer hiding in cool, moist, and dark areas. For example, they might find their way into basements or crawl into low spaces within the house. To prevent snakes from entering your home in search of a comfortable hiding spot, seal off basement entrances and any low gaps larger than 0.6 cm.
- Snakes can also enter through gaps in window frames or door sills, so ensure these areas are securely sealed.
- Cover all ventilation holes or drainage pipes leading into your house with mesh to prevent snakes and other pests from slithering in. Sometimes animals can even squeeze through the vent of a clothes dryer.
What attracts snakes into the house?
Food sources such as rodents and birds make your yard appealing to snakes. If you're dealing with snake problems, the first step is to remove bird feeders to avoid attracting birds and rodents. This will reduce the number of small animals in your yard, which in turn reduces the chances of snakes coming to hunt them.
- If you have rats or mice, you can set traps or hire a pest control service to eliminate the food sources that attract snakes.
- Outdoor pet food can also lure small animals. Always cover your pet's food dish when not in use, or bring it indoors where small critters can't reach it.
- Trash left outside can attract pests. Try to take out the trash just before collection time or secure it in a tightly closed bin.
How can I prevent snakes from entering my yard?
Take steps to eliminate areas where snakes may hide in your yard. Trim the grass and maintain the garden to reduce the attraction for snakes. Build a stone wall using mortared stones instead of stacking loose rocks, as snakes can crawl into the gaps of an unsealed wall. Additionally, avoid stacking large piles of firewood or rubble outside, as they provide a potential hiding spot for snakes.
- You can also prevent snakes from entering your yard by constructing a snake-proof fence. Stretch plastic sheeting or wire mesh between fence posts to create a surface that snakes cannot climb.
- If you have young children or pets, you could build a small play area with a surrounding fence to reduce the chances of snakes posing a threat to them while playing outside.
