Snake In The House: What To Do In These Situations

You are walking to the kitchen for a midnight snack when something long, scaly, and very much alive slithers across your floor.

Panic sets in; is it venomous? How do I have a snake in the house? And most importantly, how do you get it out without causing harm to you or the snake?

From instant identification to safe removal and permanent prevention, this article is set to help, because when a snake decides your house is its house, every second counts.

 

Step 1: Stay Calm

First, breathe. Most of the time, it has been discovered that these snakes:

• were non-venomous species (garter, rat, king, corn, milk snakes)
• were venomous but relocated without incident
• required medical treatment

Surprisingly, the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor.

 

Read also: Can Snakes Bite Underwater? Your Guide To Aquatic Snake Encounters

 

Step 2: Instant Identification (Venomous or Non-Venomous)?

Feature	Venomous (Watch Out)	Non-Venomous (Usually Safe)
Pupil shape	Vertical slit (cat-eye)	Round
Head shape	Triangular with a distinct “neck”	Spoon-shaped, blends into the body
Pit between the eye and the nostril	Yes (pit vipers)	No
Tail end	Single row of scales after the anus	Double row of scales
Swimming	Body above water	Head above, body below

Regional Red Flags:

• Southeast/Southwest: Possible copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnake, coral snake
• Everywhere else: High chance it is non-venomous

 

Step 3: What You Must Do Immediately

1. Keep everyone and pets in another room and close the door
2. Give the snake space, as it wants to leave more than you want it gone
3. Note its location, and ensure you do not lose sight of it if possible
4. Take a photo (from a safe distance), as this is critical for identification

What You Must Not Do:

• Try to catch it with your hands
• Corner it
• Use a shovel or broom (stressed snakes bite)

 

Step 4: How to Remove Snake in the House

Option A: Professional Wildlife Removal

• Call local animal control, wildlife rehabilitator, or pest control with snake experience
• Average cost: $100 to $300
• They bring snake tongs, tubes, and buckets designed for safe handling
• There is also a 100% identification accuracy

Option B: DIY Safe Removal (Non-Venomous Snakes)

What You Will Need:

• Tall plastic trash can with lid
• Long broom or stick
• Thick gloves and long pants

Technique:

1. Slowly herd the snake toward an open exterior door using a broom.
2. If it will not leave, gently sweep it into the trash can, slap the lid on, carry it outside, and finally release it far from the house.

Option C: DIY Capture (Last Resort)

• Place an upside-down laundry basket over the snake
• Slide a cardboard underneath
• Flip and carry outside

 

Step 5: How Do I Have a Snake in the House?

Common entry points include the following:

1. Garage doors left open at dusk
2. Gaps around plumbing penetrations (basement/laundry)
3. Missing door sweeps
4. Unscreened vents
5. Cracks in the foundation

 

How to Prevent Snakes in the House

• Install door sweeps on all exterior doors
• Seal gaps greater than 0.25 inch with copper mesh and expanding foam
• Screen all vents with 0.125-inch hardware cloth
• Keep garage doors closed at dawn/dusk
• Remove rodent attractants (snakes follow food)

 

Regions Where Indoor Snakes Happen Most

Region	Most Common Indoor Species	Venomous Risk
Florida	Corn snake, black racer, pygmy rattlesnake	Moderate-High
Texas	Rat snake, copperhead	Moderate
Southeast	Black rat snake, eastern kingsnake	Low-Moderate
Midwest/Northeast	Garter snake, milk snake	Very Low
Southwest	Gopher snake, western rattlesnake	High

 

Read also: Are Bugs in Your Makeup? The Hidden Insect Ingredients In Your Beauty Routine

 

What To Do If Bitten by a Snake in the House

1. Stay calm, as most bites are dry or non-venomous
2. Remove rings/watch to reduce swelling
3. Wash with soap and water
4. Immobilize the limb at the heart level
5. Get to the ER immediately, and do NOT drive yourself
6. Bring a photo of the snake if possible

Never apply a tourniquet, ice, or try to suck venom.

 

Conclusion

Rat snakes, king snakes, and corn snakes are rodent-eating machines, as one adult can eliminate dozens of mice per year. Many people choose to relocate rather than kill them.

What would you do in your case? What would you do if you found a snake in the house? Let us know your techniques via the comments section below.

Thank you for reading!

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