Creepy Signs You May Have Snakes Secretly Living In Your Home, According To Our Expert
Was it the end of a slithering tail you saw disappear behind the couch, or just some dust pushed by a breeze? Is that white scaly item snakeskin, or perhaps onion skin that fell off during meal prep? If you think your home might have a snake issue, it can be difficult to see anything other than long tails and pointed, flickering tongues everywhere. Even if you're not sure, worrying these creepy crawlers might be living in your walls, pantry, cabinets, or anywhere else within the dwelling is enough to send some people packing. So, how can you tell if snakes might be residing, unwelcome, in your house? Truly Nolen Lexington franchisee Dr. Chris Christensen, who is also the owner of a Critter Control franchise in the same market, explains that tell-tale signs of a snake infestation include skins that have been shed off by the snake, droppings, and even hints of rodents, all of which point to an ophidian problem.
While these creepy indications won't reassure you, they can at least help you determine if pest control to repel snakes is necessary and should be called in immediately. Speaking exclusively to House Digest about snakes hiding out in people's homes, Dr. Christensen explains, "Snakes are usually very reclusive and avoid humans if possible... So, one of the most common signs of snakes in the home is actual sightings." However, since you might not always catch a glimpse of the actual snake, it's useful to know what to look for when you think they might be lurking nearby.
Snake skins and uninvited guests
According to Dr. Christensen, one significant sign you have snakes in your home is finding discarded skins. "More frequently, the homeowner will find snake shed skins when they are retrieving stored items in attics, crawl spaces, or basements," he explained during an exclusive interview with House Digest. He followed up by noting that "The presence of shed skins usually indicates that there is also a rodent infestation in the structure providing a food source for the snakes." While learning that your home might be hosting snakes as well as rodents might not be the news you were hoping for, it can help create a picture as to why the ophidians have chosen your abode: it offers a place to sleep, hide, and hunt.
Snake skins are scary enough, but Dr. Christensen also warns homeowners to keep an eye out for feces. "When you start finding snake droppings, the snake or snakes are often close by," he explains when asked how to be sure serpents are residing in your space. "Look in hidden locations where a snake would feel secure, such as under insulation, in storage materials, or in gaps and voids in walls." While one or two snakes can be bad enough, some people have shared stories of finding hundreds inside their walls — and do they slither into toilets? Dr. Christensen was quick to explain this phenomenon and debunk readers' worries of one day living their own Fear Factory moment.
Don't worry: you're not in the sequel to Snakes on a Plane
"In those instances where extreme numbers are being found, the home may have become an overwintering site for the common garter snakes," he reassures House Digest readers exclusively. Garter snakes are harmless, but no one wants to find large quantities of snakes waiting out winter within their walls. Dr. Christensen suggests several methods to avoid serpent takeovers. "Instances where snakes are found in the bathroom are usually because they have found an entry point around the plumbing entries into that room from the crawlspace or basement. Closing these holes with metal mesh and a good sealant will eliminate these entries," he tells House Digest.
If you find creepy signs of snakes elsewhere in your home, contacting a pest control agency immediately can help you catch and remove the problem(s). "In many instances, exposed snakes can be hand removed if the PCO is able to get on site quickly. In these instances, it is important for the homeowner to keep the snake in sight until the PCO arrives to remove the offending animal [since they]... can be very difficult to find if they are not followed visually." To keep snakes out for good, the foundation, gables, vents, and gaps around your home must be blocked with wire mesh and sealant, and door sweeps can also help. If you have a rodent problem, pest control can assist, making your home look less like an All-You-Can-Eat buffet for snakes.