Discovering a baby snake inside your home can be an unsettling experience. This article explains common ways snakes enter homes, immediate actions to take, and practical prevention strategies.
Immediate Steps Upon Discovery
Encountering a snake indoors can be alarming, but composure is important. Observe the snake from a safe distance, ideally a few feet away, and avoid sudden movements that might startle it. While accurate identification isn’t necessary for immediate action, always assume a snake could be venomous, even if it is small.
For safe removal, if the snake is clearly non-venomous and easily accessible, you can gently encourage it out. Use a broom or similar long-handled tool to herd it towards an open door. Alternatively, you can place a bucket or trash can over the snake, then slide a piece of cardboard or a firm sheet underneath to trap it, allowing for safe relocation outdoors. If you cannot identify the snake, suspect it is venomous, or it is in a difficult-to-reach location, contact animal control or a professional snake removal service. These professionals have the expertise and equipment to handle the situation safely.
Common Entry Points for Snakes
Snakes, especially smaller ones, exploit structural vulnerabilities to enter a home. Small openings around a building’s foundation, such as cracks in masonry or gaps where pipes and utility lines enter, serve as common entry points. Snakes can flatten their bodies, allowing them to squeeze through surprisingly tiny spaces.
Gaps under exterior doors, even seemingly small ones, and damaged window or door screens also provide easy access. Unscreened vents, like those for dryers or exhaust fans, and uncapped drains can also be pathways into a home. Unsealed access points or vulnerabilities in basements and crawl spaces are frequent entry points. Garages and sheds, often left open or with less secure seals, can also provide straightforward access for snakes seeking shelter.
Why Baby Snakes Are Found Indoors
Baby snakes are often found indoors due to their physical characteristics and behaviors. Their small size allows them to easily navigate and exploit tiny cracks and openings.
Like adult snakes, young snakes seek refuge from extreme weather conditions, and a home offers a stable, regulated environment. They might also enter a house while pursuing prey, such as insects or rodents, or in search of water sources. Young, inexperienced snakes simply wander indoors accidentally while exploring their surroundings. In rare instances, a snake might lay eggs near a structure, leading to multiple hatchlings appearing indoors when they hatch.
Effective Prevention Strategies
To prevent snakes from entering your home, seal potential entry points. Inspect your home’s foundation, walls, and utility line entry points, sealing any cracks or gaps with appropriate sealant. Ensure all windows and doors have intact screens, and install door sweeps and weatherstripping. Cover vents with fine mesh screens.
Maintaining your yard can significantly reduce snake attractants. Keep grass mowed short, trim shrubs away from the house, and remove leaf litter, woodpiles, and other debris. Addressing rodent or insect infestations is important, as these attract snakes. Eliminate standing water sources, such as leaky faucets or stagnant pools. Before bringing in items from outdoors, like firewood or potted plants, inspect them for hidden snakes.