Surefire Signs You Have A Snake Problem On Your Hands

Not many unwelcome guests strike as much terror as the slithering kind, whether venomous or an innocuous garden variety. Given their highly-elusive nature, snakes are pros at hide-and-seek, often venturing unnoticed when seeking refuge and sustenance on our properties. So, what are the telltale signs that you have a snake problem? Besides the signs that ring alarm bells, ranging from molted snakeskin to slither tracks and spine-chilling hissing sounds, there are also lesser-known hints like a failed flour test.

But what attracts snakes to your house or yard? Well, if your backyard holds snake magnets like dense vegetation, unchecked woodpiles, birdbaths, tire swings, or busy bird feeders, then there's an increased chance of these legless guests infiltrating your territory. Moreover, during the hotter months, snakes prefer cooler and murkier spots, while during the colder months, they love warmer areas. When detecting and dealing with snakes in your yard, there's hardly room for second-guessing. The keywords here should always be safety and swiftness, as there's no charm in courting danger. While we love to play detective, a snake infestation is not a battle you should wage alone. The value of a professional's assessment is, quite literally, the barrier between you and a probable venomous adversary.

Your next clue could be lurking in unassuming bodily waste. Snake droppings echo their unique digestive process, leaving behind long, cylindrical evidence often cloaked in hues of black or brown, albeit with color deviations that are caused by their recent diet. So, don't be startled if you stumble across fecal matter in tones of gray, green, white, yellow, red, or even orange. Larger droppings translate into larger snakes, thereby arming you with a gauge of your slithery adversary's size. And did we mention that snake droppings might bear the prey's remnants? Yes, and they could range from bone fragments to hair.

Don't hastily dismiss a dusty path or soft soil marred by irregular lines and furrows as a kid's doodling — it could be another indicator of a snake's presence in your home. The track's appearance largely depends on the snake's style of locomotion. You might see sideways tracks, indicative of sidewinding movement, or perhaps you spot accordion-like patterns, giveaways of the concertina motion where the snake extends and compresses its body segments like a spring or accordion. There are also the distinctive S-shaped patterns left behind by lateral undulation (the most common slither style) or the straight trails that scream rectilinear progression (a snake's version of a crawl).

A pungent and bewildering smell could reveal a concealed snake in your home's darkest or most confined spaces. By masking themselves in an unappetizing scent courtesy of the cloacal glands, the slithering guests can often escape danger unharmed. However, don't pin down one odor for all species, as different snakes have distinct smells. For example, a non-venomous water snake could emit a pungent, musky scent, while the notoriously-venomous copperhead snake could grace your olfactory senses with the essence of cucumber — though not everyone experiences this. Many have said that, no matter what type of snake you're dealing with, the odor is typically unpleasant. 

Snake eggs are typically oblong, white or translucent, and somewhat leathery — not hard-shelled as bird eggs are. You'll likely find these in summer or fall stashed in sneaky hideouts where a mother snake would find it safe to lay her brood (think beneath leaves, within rocky niches, or in unassuming holes). But remember, some (though not all) mother snakes are protective of their offspring and may be close by, ready to fiercely defend their clutch. Further, even seemingly-harmless newly-hatched snakelets can pack quite a venomous punch. Rather than risk your safety, it's best to enlist the help of local snake experts or animal protection services.

The most blatant sign, of course, is visually spotting a snake on your property. They might show up in the oddest places: in the attic, in the basement, under the deck, or simply lazing on your backyard lawn. However, don't just leap to the conclusion that you're facing a full-scale snake invasion. After all, these solitary slithering creatures rarely fancy company, except when mating or hibernating. Their elusive and cold-blooded nature makes detection difficult, but frequent sightings should ring alarm bells for you to take the necessary precautions. And while a snake sighting might crank your excitement, always maintain a safe distance and call a professional.