Snakes in the basement

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Sometimes snakes enter basements. You can do four things:

1 - If the snake is not venomous, you can pick it up with a glove and bring it outside.
2 - You can call a professional to come remove it for you (use this directory for a local pro!)
3 - You can set a snake trap to catch and remove it (the yellow trap is the best!)
4 - If the snake is venomous and you want to do it yourself, use extreme care, and use snake removal tools such as snake tongs and a sack.

AFTER THE SNAKE IS OUT: Find out how it got inside your house! You must have an opening leading from outside into your cellar. Find any open cracks, gaps, pipes, etc and seal them shut so that this doesn't happen again.



How To Get Snakes Out Of Your Basement
There are many different places that pest animals can appear, and it is quite common for snakes to be found in the basement of properties where they are native species. Basements will often be home to other pests such as mice and rats, which will attract snakes because they hunt these rodents. Having snakes in the basement may solve a rat or mouse problem, but they can also become a problem in their own right, especially if they are venomous snakes. Snakes can be dangerous for domestic pets and children who are naturally inquisitive and will not be cautious in approaching these animals.

Identifying The Snake
One of the first priorities for people who have found snakes in their basement is to try and identify the species, and to do this without coming into direct contact with the snakes themselves. They will normally be nesting in a dark and secluded part of the basement, so it will often be easier to identify them if they do go outside to hunt. If there is no way for you to identify the snake itself, then the right course of action will be to call a snake removal specialist who will be able to find the nest and to remove the snake or snakes without there being any danger to yourself, your family or your pets.

When snakes do move into your basement they will normally clear any rodent population quite quickly, so in that way they can be an useful pest to have, but afterward they are likely to have to go further afield to catch their prey. It is also possible that they may make their way up into the main part of the house.

Catching And Removing The Snakes
Once you have identified the snake and you are confident that the snakes are not venomous, then there are a number of things you can do to catch and remove the snakes. If it is in the winter then the snakes are likely to be quite sluggish if not completely in hibernation, and if they are in an accessible part of your basement you may be able to place a bucket or box over the snake. During other times of the year it will be difficult to catch a snake so simply, so setting some traps in the basement to catch the snakes will be necessary.

The most effective snake traps are those which have an adhesive floor in a small box which will entice the snake in and will then hold the snake fast until you return to the trap. The yellow trap sold online is the best. You will need to check the traps regularly, and once the snake is caught it is best to take it at least five miles from home before releasing it. Once there are no more snakes being caught in the trap, it will be necessary to scour the basement to find the nest, and to make sure there are no more snakes or eggs there.

Sealing The Basement To Prevent Snakes From Getting In
Once all the snakes have been removed from your cellar, you will need to seal the basement to make sure that no further snakes can find their way in. Even small holes or spaces under doors can be an easy way for the snakes to get in, and they can also get in through damaged vents or a drainage pipe.

Any damaged vents will need to be sealed, and if there are any drainage pipes from the basement, they will need to be fitted with a mesh grille to stop animals from getting in through that pipe. If the basement does have any doors and windows, it is also best to ensure that these are tight fitting and that there are no holes in the walls that could allow more snakes in the cellar of your house.

Here are some other snake links:
How To Trap Snakes
What Animals Kill Snakes
Color Rhyme for Coral Snakes
How Can You Tell if a Snake is Poisonous
How to Kill Snakes
Snakebite Aftercare
Snake Safety Tips
How to Catch Snakes
How Do You Keep Snakes Away
Do Mothballs Keep Away Snakes
Eastern Coral Snake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Photographs of Snake Poop

Best Ways To Keep Snakes Out Of The Basement

There are many areas of the home that are prone to being explored and made into a nest by snakes, and as it is often a dark area of the home, then the basement is often one area where snakes can be a problem. Snakes can cause a number of concerns, with the venomous varieties being a particular concern, as they will sometime bite if they are surprised by anyone who uses the basement. There are positive points to having a snake in the basement too, as they will often hunt other pest animals, but usually it is best to remove the snake to somewhere else.



Why Do Snakes Find Their Way Into The Basement?

Because they are carnivores that hunt smaller animals, one of the main reasons that snakes will be found within a property, including a basement, is that they are there because there is a rodent population there too. Another reason why they will sometimes find their way into a basement is related to their semi-hibernation in the winter, when they will look to burrow down into a warm, dark area to resist the cold, and the basement can often be an attractive prospect because of this reason too. The same features can also make it appear to be an attractive place to create a safe nest to lay eggs too.

Removing The Snake In The Basement

The type of snake that is in the basement is one of the most important things to consider, and if you can identify it using the color markings, then knowing if it is venomous or non-venomous can help you decide whether you need a professional. If it is a non-venomous snake, then you can use a stick or snake pole to move the animal into a bag or container, which can then be used to transport the snake to a new habitat. However, if you do think that it is a venomous snake, or is large enough to deliver a nasty bite, it is worth bringing in a professional who will have the experience to remove the snake safely.

Sealing Any Entry Points To The Basement

Once you have ensured that the snake has been removed, it is important to try and identify how it got into the basement, to prevent the same thing from happening again. Look for any holes or gaps in the wall that the snake could have exploited, and seal any spaces that are evident to stop snakes from getting in to the basement in the future.

Go back to the Snake Removal page.