8 Expert Tips for Dealing with a Snake in the House
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Studies have shown that Americans are afraid of all kinds of things. They’re scared of everything from public speaking and clowns to heights and, of course, the dark.
There is one thing that Americans seem to fear more than anything else, though: SNAKES! According to one study, over 50 percent of people say they’re more scared of snakes than any of the other things we just mentioned.
Generally speaking, most of the 130-plus snake species in the U.S. are harmless. But that isn’t going to make you feel any better if you ever find a snake in the house. You’re likely going to scream bloody murder and run for the hills.
Rather than freaking out, there are better ways of dealing with a snake in the house. Here are 8 things you should do after spotting a snake in your home.
1. Take a Deep Breath and Try to Relax
Your first instinct when you see a snake in the house is going to be to lose your mind. Unless you happen to be someone who loves snakes, you’re going to want to crawl out of your skin.
Try not to do this. Instead, take a deep breath and stay as calm as you possibly can. This will prevent you from startling the snake and getting it all worked up.
It’ll also help you keep the snake in whatever area it’s in now. If you start yelling and screaming, although snakes cannot actually hear (they sense vibration & heat), it could dart behind a dresser or underneath another piece of furniture and be difficult to find later.
Emergency Venomous Snake Removal by Perimeter Wildlife Control | Atlanta, GA
2. Observe the Way the Snake Is Moving
Once you’ve spent a few moments calming yourself down, look at the snake in the house and observe the way that it’s moving. Is it:
- Sitting in one spot and not moving? Stretched out?
- Coiled up with its mouth open or sticking out its tongue?
- Looking confused or like it’s lost?
If the snake isn’t making many movements, that likely means it doesn’t see you as a threat. If, however, it’s staring right at you with its mouth open, it could strike at any moment.
Gauge the snake’s body language so that you can anticipate how it may react next.
3. Figure Out If the Snake Is Venomous
Emergency Snake Removal Services in Atlanta, Georgia
There are, as we mentioned earlier, more than 130 snake species in the U.S. Only about 20 are venomous with most venomous snakes being rattlesnakes. In Georgia the 3 most common venomous snakes are Copperheads, Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin), & the Timber Rattlesnake.
If you don’t live in a part of the country where rattlesnakes live, you probably don’t have to worry about a snake in your house being venomous. But you never know, so it’s better for you to be safe than sorry. Also note that most venomous snakes will normally not want to be in your home, & if they are, there is usually a reason (ie: warmth, food source, water source, etc.).
Venomous snakes often have fat or swollen bodies, with an arrow shaped head. They also have small slits for eyes as opposed to a full pupil in 1 color & they also have fangs that expand & retract during a strike. If you notice any of these things when looking at the snake in your home, it could mean it’s venomous. Proceed with extreme caution.
4. Avoid Attacking the Snake
Some homeowners react to seeing a snake in their house by attacking it with a broom, a stick, or another long / sharp object. They often do it instinctually in an effort to protect their homes & families.
If you can avoid it, don’t attack a snake under any circumstances. Outside of the fact that you could put yourself in harm’s way, you’ll also be killing off an important part of the local ecosystem if you kill a snake. Also keep in mind, that IF you miss in your attack attempt, the snake will then feel threatened or scared. At this point it may attack you or slither off to hide, making it more difficult to locate later for the snake’s removal.
Red Rat Snake Removed from underneath a kitchen appliance in Atlanta, GA. | Perimeter Wildlife Control, LLC.
5. Remove Young Children and Pets From The Snake’s Vicinity
Do you have young children or pets living in your house? They should be relocated away from the snake right away if it is in your home.
Kids and pets often struggle to control their movements and could get a snake riled up if they’re around when one is in your house. At the very least, have your kids and pets stay in a different part of your home to avoid them coming into contact with the snake. Any snake in your home, whether venomous or non-venomous can bite, & a pet or child running by it could provoke the snake to strike.
6. Keep Your Distance From the Snake
When you have a snake in the house, keep an eye on it at all times. They are escape artists! You don’t want to lose sight of the snake and allow it to escape to another part of your house where it could be difficult to locate.
At the same time, stay at least a few feet away from the snake. It could strike at a moment’s notice if it feels threatened by you, and snakes move so quickly, that you might not even see it coming. Most snakes move quickly and can attack with very little to no warning.
Even if you strongly suspect that a snake isn’t venomous, there is still no reason for you to get too close to it.
Venomous Snake & Copperhead Removal in Atlanta, Georgia by Perimeter Wildlife Control
7. Contact a Snake Removal Company
The most effective way to deal with a snake in the house is by reaching out to a licensed snake removal company. Find a company that has plenty of experience removing snakes from homes and have them come out right away.
They should provide you with some additional information about how to deal with the snake that has entered your home. They should also be able to send someone out to get rid of the snake sooner than later.
8. Seal Your Home to Prevent Snakes in the Future
How did a snake get into your house in the first place? Find its entry point & any other potential entry areas and seal them up so that other snakes or critters don’t find their way into your home.
You should also have your home inspected by a licensed wildlife control company or pest control company that can look for signs of rodents. Snakes tend to try to get into homes that have mice, rats, and other rodents in them so that they can feed on the rodents. in most cases, if the rodent infestation is controlled, the snake(s) will literally disappear because there is no food readily accessible to them.
A/C & Utility Line Entry Points are extremely common for rodents & snakes.
Remaining Calm When Dealing With a Snake in the House
Seeing a snake slithering across the floor in your home is a terrifying & traumatic experience for most homeowners. It would be hard to blame you for losing your cool.
A snake in the house is more than likely not going to do you any immediate harm. Most snakes won’t attack a human unless they’re provoked to do it. Note that provoked doesn’t necessarily mean intentionally, walking out of a bedroom & nearly stepping on the snake, though very unintentional could provoke it to strike at you.
Keep calm and get in touch with a company that can lend a hand with your snake problem. They’ll be able to get the snake out of your house and reduce your stress levels.
Contact us 24/7, if you see a snake in your house to get immediate assistance.
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