I have found 2 black racer snakes in my bedroom in the last 3 weeks...how are they getting in the house?

Question

Do you think there is a nest in our house? They have appeared after heavy rains and cold tempuratures. Thankfully we have a kitty who makes noises when she sees them. I have been able to capture both snakes unharmed and release then outside.

Please excuse the typo...replace then with them...thank you

Answer 1

The easier (and cheapest way) to find out where they are coming from is next time it gets cold/rainy (when snakes naturally seek out warmer areas), put a 1 inch line of flour around the perimeter of your room, including around the walls. Where you see the flour has been moved by snakes,you know that they have passed that way. They could be coming in from a small crack that you do not know about behind a dresser, etc, they can fit into anything. The flour technique will allow you to find and plug the hole up- preventing them (and even rodents) from coming into the house.

Answer 2

They will naturally move to where it is warmest. You may have to put a snake trap in your room with a warm light in it. There are several kinds you can get, but mostly they are just a box with a one way flap or door that they cannot nose back open and sits along a wall where the snake can crawl in and it has a warming lamp inside the box to draw them inside. They come in to get away from the chill, and you probably have mice there too that they are eating. You may also try going around the outside of your house and seal it up wherever you find holes to slow them down a bit. They can crawl through very small holes and do like to live in walls and anywhere that mice may go. Your cat will also help keep the snakes down too, as most cats will naturally predate on snakes and let you know when one is there. We used to keep one when I lived in snake country for that very reason. He actually would kill the snakes that came into the house. I miss that cat, he stayed with an older neighbor who loved him dearly when we had to move across the country. I am glad you were able to move them safely out too. Hopefully you never get the more venemous kind. Try the box method though, the pattern can be found online or they can be ordered online. Best of blessings,
Maraleh

Answer 3

Actually, black racers do fine high and dry as well, it's just that they're the most common terrestrial snake in Florida. There's some good ideas here, but you answered your own question somewhat. They're coming in after it rains and when it's cold, it's just one of those "the weather's crappy out here, I know where it's warm." type things. If there is a nest, don't look for little black snakes, look for little greyish-blue snakes with reddish blotches, because baby black racers don't look like adults. I doubt you'll see any, though, at least not until later in the spring if at all. Now if your house weren't so comfortable, you wouldn't have this problem! ;)

Answer 4

If they only appear after rains or cold weather, I don't think you have a nest. If you had a nest you'd see lots and lots of babies and probably never the adults. It's more likely that they're using your home as a safe ground when the outside is too dangerous for them.

A professional exterminator or pest control can examine your house and show you possible entry points they could be using.

Answer 5

Does your house have a stone foundation? This is the time of year they make a nest to lay eggs and they like rocky ledges. It doesn't take a very big hole for them to get in but they aren't intending to. It may be the same snake that got in twice. She only wants to make a nest and be warm. Since this spring has been unseasonably cold she ducks in to stay warm when she probably wouldn't another year.

Answer 6

Danielle's idea about the flour was a good one, I do reptile rescue, I think I will give that one a try!!! You don't say where you live, black racers mean you live close to a body of water. Are you in drought conditions??? We see alot of activity with black racers when there has been very little rain. Do you have a TV cable running into your room? That's one of the places we find them getting in thru. If so, get a foam insullation spray, goes on like shaving cream, dries to a solid foam. That should prevent further entry into your room!!!

Answer 7

they could have gotten in through a hole somewhere... maybe a basement, broken window??? they probably took shelter in your home to keep warm for the winter. you should look around to see if you have any holes they could have entered in from, and fix that. hopefully this does the trick and no more snakes will come into your home! also try looking for a nest somewhere to make sure you get all the snakes out.

Answer 8

well there are alot of ways that the snakes can come inside if there are windows or wall crackes with holes or youre door has a open holes that they can slide threw to get into the house. next tme you should put a blanket or pillow cases between the crackes so that the snakes cant get it in .

Answer 9

They more then likely do have a nest in your house somewhere. But also may be coming in through any hole around pipes to keep warm. You may need a professional to locate them and get rid of them. Our teen's high school had a severe infestation of copper heads and black snakes. Luckily they are non-venonous snakes, but they can and will mimic a rattle snake by shaking their tail.

Answer 10

Oh my gosh!!! If I found a snake in my bedroom I think I would move. Good thing for kitty! I don't know how they are getting in (foundation crack maybe?), but good luck in figuring it out. Yuck!