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OT: Snake in the house

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NikkiSixx_rivals269993

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Sep 14, 2013
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ok, so a garter snake somehow wedged itself under my sliding glass door, and got into the house when I opened it. I paused for a moment before quickly grabbing a set of tongs from the kitchen. In my attempt to grab him, he fled, down the AC vent.

I closed all the vents in the house, cranked on the heat, and left only the one vent open and left the sliding glass door open, to encourage him out. This almost worked, but the snake saw me when he peeked his head out of the vent and then he went down and disappeared.

I left the heat running for a good 30 mins.

This home is on a concrete slab, with the vents formed by cardboard tubing laid in place before the slab was poured. I am not certain the snake could find another way out.

I've since had to open all the vents and turn on the air con.

I know it's not poisonous, but I'm kind of freaked out thinking about this thing in the house.

I have not told the wife about it.

Any ideas on what to do next?
 
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dinglefritz

All-American
Jan 14, 2011
47,849
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Se
NikkiSixx said:
ok, so a garter snake somehow wedged itself under my sliding glass door, and got into the house when I opened it. I paused for a moment before quickly grabbing a set of tongs from the kitchen. In my attempt to grab him, he fled, down the AC vent.

I closed all the vents in the house, cranked on the heat, and left only the one vent open and left the sliding glass door open, to encourage him out. This almost worked, but the snake saw me when he peeked his head out of the vent and then he went down and disappeared.

I left the heat running for a good 30 mins.

This home is on a concrete slab, with the vents formed by cardboard tubing laid in place before the slab was poured. I am not certain the snake could find another way out.

I've since had to open all the vents and turn on the air con.

I know it's not poisonous, but I'm kind of freaked out thinking about this thing in the house.

I have not told the wife about it.

Any ideas on what to do next?
Click to expand...
Sell the house.......
 
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otismotis08

otismotis08

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Jan 5, 2012
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There's no telling where he'll find his way out. Last thing you want is to trap him in the vents and cook him. Just relax and keep an eye out for him. Snakes generally seek warm areas, so check around hot water heater, etc.

Garter snakes are generally pretty mobile, as opposed to constrictors who will coil around the warm plumbing pipes and stay in one location.
 
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NikkiSixx_rivals269993

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Sep 14, 2013
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TFrazier said:
Maybe it is time to go on a one week vacation. Winking
Click to expand...
I figured it might be payback for the 2 I ran over with the lawn mower yesterday..

I set the mower height as tall as possible this year, and while it certainly helped the grass, it also attracted an entire eco-system of critters :)
 
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TFrazier_rivals269992

All-Conference
Jun 8, 2001
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NikkiSixx said:
I figured it might be payback for the 2 I ran over with the lawn mower yesterday..

I set the mower height as tall as possible this year, and while it certainly helped the grass, it also attracted an entire eco-system of critters :)
Click to expand...

Oh instead of Snakes on a Plane...it is now...Snakes in Your House.

I would simply get out while you can!! Winking
 
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schuele

All-American
Apr 17, 2005
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Depending on where you live, the local Animal Control might help you out.

If that's not an option, I find that ShopVacs (filter removed) are versatile machines.
 
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Redscarlet

Redscarlet

All-American
Jun 17, 2001
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If it dies in your vents then your going to have another problem on your hands and have to get your vents and ducks cleaned because of the awful smell....

P.S I hate snakes as well and try and kill them if I see them when mowing the yard.
 
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Tarheelhusker

Tarheelhusker

All-Conference
Mar 28, 2003
21,599
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Don't inform your HOA, just do it,
 
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grayhairedfreak

Junior
Aug 21, 2010
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You don't mention how big the snake was. If it's a little one, like a foot or less, patience and glue mouse traps work pretty well. We've had several baby snakes wriggle their way through the tiniest openings into unfinished areas of our basement. Freaks us out too. I've caught probably 5 in glue traps.
 
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scarletneverfades

Redshirt
Jun 15, 2004
1,037
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My mother who was 94 at the time discovered a snake in her basement. She killed it with hair spray. Couldn't breathe. But you still have to get to it.
 
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MITCH492

Junior
Dec 23, 2004
472
210
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Well, since you didn't just grab the snake with your hands.
I suggest dumping gasoline in every crack you can find inside the house. Be sure to shut off the hot water heater first. That should encourage the snake to leave. If you don't see him leave the house, I suggest you smoke him out with a good hard wood such as apple, cherry, hickory or what ever your favorite smoking wood is. Be careful smoking him out since the gas fumes may ignite. One way or another this method is guaranteed to work.
 
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leodisflowers

Senior
Feb 25, 2011
14,801
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Down here in Houston my sister just had a copperhead force it's way in underneath the weather stripping. The cops that got it out said that moth balls and the sulphur snake away will keep them out.
 
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The.Bear.Lib

Freshman
Aug 15, 2016
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Agree about running the AC, not the heat. Snakes are cold-blooded so if you're cooling it, it will want to go and get warm someplace. You could put the warm brick in a box so that if it goes in, you can try to grab up the box quickly.

No need for tongs, bare-hand that little dude. He'll probably piss on you, but he'll probably piss anyhow. Better on your washable arm than on your carpet.
 
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MITCH492

Junior
Dec 23, 2004
472
210
0
One thing about it. The snake might keep the in-laws from visiting. Tell them there's a "dangerous" snake is in the guest bedroom.
 
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