hissss. Uh Oh. “Is that a snake—in my HOUSE?” You’re not one for exotic pets,

which means you’ve got a slithery uninvited visitor. Your first thoughts? “Hmm. Let’s

see. Why’s it here, and how do I get rid of it?!” Yeah, I’ll bet you’re that

calm! Here we go, a two-parter!

- Snakes will try to come indoors in extreme weather.

Remember that snakes are cold-blooded reptiles, which means their environment is what controls

their body temperature. Versus mammals like you and me — we have warm blood that keeps

us mostly cozy no matter what the weather is. If it’s scorching or raining buckets

out there, they’ll seek refuge in an unsuspecting house. They may be looking for a cool damp

spot to chill down—like a basement—or shelter from the rain so that it won’t destroy

their nest. On that note…

- Where will snakes try to hide? Along with the basement, snakes may try to

hide in your walls, attic, and crawl spaces. These areas are dark, mostly cold, and sheltered,

so they’re perfect real estate for a snake to make itself at home. Places like these

are also common hidey-holes for mice and creepy crawlies that make for some tasty meals in

a snake’s eyes! If there’s access to some Snake Cuisine, it just may move in permanently!

Lucky you! And once they settle down for good…

- Snakes WILL nest in your house if they can. If you’ve got those perfect conditions,

a snake will build its nest in your home, and then you’ll have a big problem on your

hands! Building a nest means potential egg-laying. Depending on the size of the species, they

can lay between 6 and 100 eggs at a time!

- How did it get in my house, anyway??? You shouldn’t find any boas in your humble

abode – snakes found in houses are usually on the smaller side because they can wiggle

their way in through small cracks, openings, and any “weak spots” in your home. If

they get in through the basement or attic, they likely found a crack or gap you didn’t

even know was there! Ok, understood, but…

- How common is it to find a snake in the house?

It’s more common than you’d think! In some places, snakes are part of daily life

and are as common a pest as mice or mosquitoes. For example, it’s normal to beat the bed

with a stick before climbing in so that you won’t find yourself lying next to a snake!

Ohh sweet dreams! Where you live and what preventative measures you take (more on that

later) will determine how often you’ll have to deal with snakes indoors.

Sorry, friend! You and that snake have been waiting there so patiently! Ok, so, now for

the most important question: how do you get rid of the dang thing?

Step 1: (Any guesses?) Stay calm! I know it sounds like cliché advice when

dealing with a potentially dangerous situation. But remember the golden rule when it comes

to wild animals: it’s more scared of you than you are of it. If you’re waving your

arms around, screaming at the top of your lungs, and reaching for a shovel, then you’re

gonna scare that thing into making the first move. (A.k.a., some razor-sharp fangs coming

straight for whatever part of you they can get to first!) That, or the snake’s “flight”

mode will kick in before the “fight,” and it’ll dart to an unreachable place.

Then you’ll really be out of luck!

Step 2. Get any kids or pets out of the area. Before you do anything, clear the room. Sparky’s

gotta go somewhere safe, and Mr. Whiskers too. Oh yeah, and besides the kids, don’t

forget your pets either! Heh-heh! All jokes aside, pets and children are smaller than

you are, and they move more unpredictably. This may agitate the legless home invader.

When dealing with snakes, you should always make your movements quiet and slow. If you

think a pet or child has been bitten, take them straight to the vet or hospital.

Step 3: Determine if the snake is venomous. When all else fails, ask the snake.

A bite will not only be painful but possibly dangerous too! Try to get a good look at it

without disturbing it, and read about poisonous snakes that can be found in your area. (You

should ideally do that research before your first rendezvous – time is of the essence

here!) It’s usually small snakes of the “garden variety” that hang out in backyards.

These types may not be venomous, but a snake bite can also make you sick! If the species

is poisonous, though, then skip to Step 7. (Not right now! I’ve got some useful tips

here!)

Step 4. (You still with me right? Okay.) Guide the snake outside with a broom.

Only do this if you’re sure the snake isn’t venomous. Set up “barriers” as best as

you can to keep it in that one room, and open the door to the outside. Gently guide the

snake through a path to the exit. Don’t use a poking motion – nobody likes being

poked, snakes included! Just pushing the broom behind it should do the trick.

Step 5. If the “broom method” didn’t work, restrict its ability to move.

Cover the snake with a big blanket or put a laundry hamper on top of it with the open

side down. This will give it just a small space to move in. If the snake is surrounded

by darkness and can’t see, it’ll calm down and give you time to think. This also

keeps the snake in one place, so you know right where it’s at.

Step 6. Get the snake outside. Again, only attempt this if you know the snake

isn’t venomous!! The safest way to hold one is under its belly near the tail. Don’t

squeeze too hard—you’ll hurt the poor guy! (And, well, he probably won’t react

in a courteous way.) Hold the snake as securely as you can while keeping it away from your

body. Get it outside and release it far from your property. If you covered the snake with

a blanket, you can scoop the blanket up and gently wiggle it outside to let the little

guy go.

Step 7. Call Animal Control Preferably the first step no matter what kind

of snake you’re dealing with. But, again, time is of the essence, and you don’t want

that thing getting away before the pros get there. (This is undoubtedly your first move

if you know the snake is venomous!) Anyway, Animal control will have special equipment

to remove the snake safely. And give them a call if the snake is hiding, but you know

it’s there. When in doubt, leave it to the professionals!

8. Try a DIY snake trap! All you need is a plastic water bottle, scissors,

and snake food. If you use a soda bottle, wash it thoroughly until no more smells come

from it, and screw the cap on tight. Cut a hole at the opposite end of the bottle that’s

just big enough for the snake to fit through. You can find snake food at your local pet

store—that just makes me laugh. Slide some into the bottle so that it’s close to the

cap end. Set your trap where you’ve seen the snake, and check it every day. Once you’ve

caught it, call your local Pest Control to come get it.

9. Prevent any future visits. Make sure any cracks, gaps, or holes around

your home are sealed. Check your attic, basement, and crawl spaces thoroughly because they might

be easy to miss in these areas. You can also prevent snakes from showing up in the first

place by getting rid of other pests they see as food, like mice, squirrels, and other small

animals. If you’re having a consistent snake problem, first get rid of any nesting birds

around your yard since the eggs make for a tasty treat! (For the snakes…just to clarify.)

And it’s time for me to make like a snake and slither out of here…

Hey, if you learned something new today, then give the video a like and share it with a

friend! Here are a couple cool videos I know you’ll enjoy. Just click to the left or

right, and stay on the Bright Side of life!