Snakes are beneficial for the environment and can be neat to watch at the zoo or another controlled environment, but it’s an entirely different story when the snake gets inside a home. Snakes can and do enter homes, and when they do, it’s important to be cautious and call for professional wildlife removal immediately. Once the snake is removed, it’s a good idea to look into ways to keep them from getting in the home again to keep everyone in the household safe. 

Why Do Snakes Get Inside Homes?

Snakes generally enter homes looking for food or shelter. If there is severe weather, snakes can get disoriented and enter homes to find somewhere dry to stay until the weather clears. Snakes can enter homes through any cracks or crevices, and they can come in through doors or windows that are left open. They can also come in through pet doors or other access points in the home. Once inside, snakes will generally try to stay hidden, but they can be spotted while they’re moving around the house, looking for somewhere warm or something to eat. 

Dangers of Snakes Being Inside

Snakes can be incredibly dangerous. A big concern about snakes getting into the home is whether they’re venomous. If someone is bitten by a venomous snake, immediate medical attention is required. The person will need a dose of antivenom to prevent severe side effects or death. However, venom isn’t the only concern when it comes to snakes. They can carry diseases, too, so even if they aren’t venomous, they can be dangerous to have in the home. 

Reptiles, including snakes, can carry diseases, parasites, and more. Salmonella, botulism, and other diseases have been associated with snakes and can be transferred to humans through contact with the snake. Snake bites can become infected easily, even if the snake isn’t venomous, and may require medical attention to prevent severe and long-term injuries or illnesses as a result. 

The risk of getting a disease from a snake is low, but it is something that is possible, so it’s something to be aware of when dealing with snakes inside the home. To prevent diseases, avoid touching the snake, even if it’s non-venomous, and sanitize the areas the snake has been inside the home. If someone is bit by a snake, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately, even if the snake is non-venomous, to get the proper care. 

What to Do if a Snake Gets Inside

When a snake is discovered indoors, the only thing that should be done is to back away from the snake carefully. It is important to move slowly to avoid agitating the snake. While some may try to hide as soon as they see a person, others may decide to try to look intimidating and strike, even if they’re non-venomous, as a way to scare off anyone that might be close to them. 

Backing away from the snake slowly gives it more space, so it won’t feel threatened. After backing away, if possible, take a photo or video of the snake from a safe distance. If this isn’t possible, make a note of where the snake is located and whether they’re coiled up or moving at the time. Then, leave the house and wait outside. 

After backing away from the snake, call for professional wild animal removal in Rock Hill, SC, to have it removed from the home. A professional has training and experience catching snakes, and they have the right protective gear and equipment to prevent being bitten. If they are bitten, they also have the knowledge of whether the snake is venomous and can provide an accurate identification when seeking medical care. 

In most cases, the wildlife removal professional will arrive quickly. If they can view a photo or video of the snake, they will know what type they’re looking for and will know where to look based on the photos and the snake’s typical habits. Provide information on what the snake was doing and where in the home it was spotted, as this will allow the professional to find it much faster.

Once they have spotted the snake, the professional will remove it from the property. Generally, they use tongs to catch and pick up the snake from a safe distance, then place the snake in a bucket that is covered to keep the snake inside. They can then relocate the snake to a safe location so it can continue to be a beneficial part of the environment without being a risk to humans. 

How to Keep Snakes Out of the House

Spotting a snake inside just once is enough for most people to start looking for ways to keep the snake from getting into the home. If a snake is able to get inside one time, it’s possible for others to get inside later. Taking the right steps can help keep them out of the home and protect everyone in the household.

Seal Any Potential Entrances

It is crucial to seal any potential entrances to the home. Snakes can get through incredibly small spaces, so look at the home carefully to see where they might be able to get in. Vents or drains that lead to the inside of the home can be covered with a screen to allow them to work properly without pests like snakes being able to get through them. Once the home is sealed, most pests will be unable to get inside, not just snakes. 

Eliminate Food Sources

Snakes often try to find a place to live near potential food sources. They’ll eat insects, frogs, birds, mice, and other pests that may be easily found around or inside the home. Eliminating these pests can mean snakes won’t try to get inside, and if they do, they may go back out again in search of food before they’re even noticed.

Get Rid of Hiding Places

Hiding places inside or close to the home should be eliminated to prevent snakes from getting inside. Snakes tend to prefer places that are dark and warm, so any cracks or holes should be repaired to keep them out. If there are wood piles or other stacks of items near the home, remove them to prevent snakes from being able to hide. Any damage to screens on windows or doors should be fixed, and landscaping should be trimmed to make sure snakes can’t hide close to the house. If there is nowhere to hide near the house, snakes will move on and look for a better place to live. 

Though snakes are beneficial for the environment, that doesn’t include when they’re inside the home. A snake inside the home can be dangerous, even if it’s non-venomous, and should be removed as soon as it’s discovered. However, it is not recommended for homeowners to try to remove the snake on their own, as bites can be dangerous even if they don’t include venom. Instead, back away from the snake slowly, take note of its location, and call Catawba Wildlife Removal for fast help. A professional will arrive quickly to remove the snake from the home safely and ensure it is taken somewhere safer for the snake and for you.