If This Snake Enters Your Home, There May Be a Reason Why… Here’s What You Should Know

• Do not attempt to capture or kill it. Period. The majority of venomous snakebites occur when people try to handle or kill the snake.

• Evacuate the room. Close the door, block the gap under the door, and do not re-enter until professional help arrives.

• Keep pets away. Dogs are often curious about snakes. A dog investigating a venomous snake is at high risk of being bitten.

• Do not try to "flush it out." Spraying water, making noise, or poking at hiding spots will only agitate the snake.

The good news: Even venomous snakes are rarely aggressive. Most bites occur when people step on snakes, try to handle them, or surprise them. If you leave it alone, it will likely stay hidden until removed by a professional.

Step 5: After the Snake Is Gone – Prevention

Once the snake is safely removed, it's time to figure out how it got in—and how to keep others out.

Seal entry points (this is the most important step). Snakes can squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter-inch. Walk around your home's foundation and look for:

• Cracks in the foundation

• Gaps around pipes, conduits, or vents

• Spaces under doors (install door sweeps)

• Gaps around windows

• Open crawl space vents (cover with hardware cloth)

Remove food sources. Snakes follow their prey. If you have mice, rats, or large insects, snakes will come. Address pest problems with traps or professional pest control.

Remove hiding places near the house:

• Keep grass mowed short

• Remove wood piles, rock piles, and debris from near the foundation

• Trim shrubs and bushes so they don't touch the house (snakes can climb)

• Store firewood away from the house (mice nest in woodpiles; snakes follow)

Consider snake repellents? Most commercially available snake repellents have not been proven effective. The best repellent is a clean, sealed, pest-free home.

What About the Garage? (Common Snake Entry Point)

Garages are snake magnets. They're often cluttered, dark, and have gaps under the big door. Rodents love garages. Snakes follow.

To snake-proof your garage:

• Install a door sweep on the large garage door (rubber seal along the bottom)

• Seal gaps around side doors and windows

• Keep the garage clutter-free (snakes love hiding under cardboard boxes)

• Store items in plastic bins with tight lids, not cardboard (cardboard also attracts pests)

• Set mouse traps (keep pets away from them)