Why Garter Snakes Enter Homes
While encountering a snake inside your home can be startling, it is uncommon for garter snakes to intentionally seek out human dwellings. These reptiles, widely distributed across North America, are generally harmless and non-venomous. Their presence indoors is typically an accidental occurrence, as they are not aggressive and prefer to avoid human interaction.
Garter snakes may enter a home for several environmental reasons. They often seek shelter to escape harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain, extreme heat, or cold temperatures. Basements, crawl spaces, or areas beneath foundations can offer a stable environment for thermoregulation, providing warmth in cooler periods or a cooler refuge during hot days.
The pursuit of food sources also draws garter snakes near structures. They prey on small animals like slugs, earthworms, insects, and small amphibians, which are often found in gardens and around home foundations. Following these prey items can inadvertently lead a snake indoors. Additionally, simple exploration or disorientation can result in an accidental entry into a home.
Common Entry Points
Garter snakes can gain access through various vulnerabilities in a home’s structure. Small openings, such as cracks in foundations or walls, and gaps around pipes or utility lines, can provide entry points. They are capable of squeezing through surprisingly small spaces, sometimes as narrow as 1/4 inch.
Other common entry points include:
- Unsealed openings around doors, especially garage doors
- Damaged window screens
- Open ground-level doors or windows
- Uncovered or inadequately screened vents, such as those for dryers or foundations
- Floor drains
What to Do if You Find a Garter Snake Indoors
If you find a garter snake inside your home, remaining calm is important, as these snakes are not dangerous. Gently guide the snake into a container using a broom or long stick, avoiding direct contact. A shoebox, bucket, or wastebasket can work effectively for this purpose.
Once the snake is safely contained, carry it outdoors and release it in a suitable natural environment, such as a garden or wooded area, a safe distance from the house. If you are uncomfortable with removal, or if the snake is in an inaccessible location, contact local animal control or a wildlife professional for assistance. Do not harm the snake, as they are a beneficial part of the ecosystem.
Preventing Future Entry
Preventing future snake entry involves addressing potential access points and reducing attractants around your property. Thoroughly seal any cracks in the foundation, walls, or around pipes and utility lines using caulk or mortar. Installing weatherstripping around doors and windows can also eliminate gaps.
Maintaining your yard can deter snakes by reducing hiding spots and prey. Keep grass mowed short, and clear away debris like rock piles, woodpiles, and dense ground cover near the house. Controlling insect and rodent populations around the home reduces a primary food source for garter snakes. Ensure all vents, drains, and chimney openings are properly screened with fine mesh, and keep ground-level doors and windows closed or securely screened.