Found a Snake in Your House? Do These 6 Things Right Now

You walk into the kitchen, the garage, or the basement — and there it is. A snake. Inside your home.

Your heart rate spikes. Your first instinct might be to grab something and deal with it yourself. Stop. Take a breath. The next few minutes matter, and the wrong move can turn a manageable situation into a dangerous one.

Here is exactly what to do — step by step.

The single most important thing you can do right now is stay calm and keep your distance. The vast majority of snakes found inside Tennessee homes are non-venomous — gray rat snakes, black racers, and garter snakes are the most common. But you don't know that yet, and you shouldn't assume.

Do not:

• Try to pick it up
• Try to hit or kill it
• Corner it or block its escape route
• Get within striking distance (typically one-third to one-half the snake's body length)

A snake that feels cornered will defend itself. Most bites happen during exactly this kind of encounter.

If you can safely do so, keep the snake in your line of sight without approaching it. Snakes move quickly and can disappear into walls, under appliances, or into closets in seconds. Knowing where it is when help arrives makes removal much faster and more reliable.

If you have to leave the room, note exactly where you last saw it and close the door if possible.

If the snake is in a room with a door, close the door and place a towel along the bottom gap to prevent it from slipping out. This keeps the snake contained and makes the removal job much simpler.

If it's in an open area like a hallway or living room, don't try to herd it — just maintain visual contact from a safe distance.

Move children and pets away from the area immediately. Dogs and cats are naturally curious and will investigate a snake, which dramatically increases the risk of a bite. Keep them in a separate part of the house until the snake has been removed.

While you wait for help, try to note the snake's appearance without getting close:

• Color and pattern: Solid color? Banded? Blotchy?
• Head shape: Triangular and wide (possible venomous) or narrow and rounded (likely non-venomous)?
• Size: Approximate length and thickness
• Behavior: Is it coiled and still, or moving actively?

Take a photo with your phone's zoom if you can do so safely. This helps the removal specialist identify the species before they arrive and prepare accordingly.

Tennessee's venomous species to be aware of:

• Copperhead — hourglass pattern, copper-colored head, stocky build
• Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) — dark, heavy-bodied, white mouth interior
• Timber Rattlesnake — banded pattern, rattle at tail, triangular head
• Pygmy Rattlesnake — small, gray with reddish-brown blotches, tiny rattle

If you see any of these features, treat the snake as venomous and do not approach under any circumstances.

This is not a DIY situation. Even experienced homeowners who have handled snakes before can misjudge a species or get bitten during removal. A licensed wildlife removal specialist has the tools, training, and protective equipment to remove the snake safely — and can identify the species with certainty.

Nashville Snake Removal is available 24/7. Call (615) 613-5992 and we'll dispatch a technician to your location.

Once the immediate situation is handled, it's worth understanding how the snake got in. Common entry points include:

• Foundation gaps and cracks — even a quarter-inch gap is enough for a small snake
• Gaps around pipes and conduit where they enter the house
• Damaged door sweeps or weatherstripping
• Crawlspace vents with missing or damaged screens
• Gaps around utility penetrations in the basement or crawlspace

Snakes typically enter homes following prey — mice, rats, and other small rodents. If you have a rodent problem, snakes will follow. Addressing the rodent issue is often the most effective long-term snake prevention strategy.

Once the snake is gone, ask your removal specialist to do a quick walk-around to identify likely entry points. Sealing these gaps is the most reliable way to prevent future intrusions.

If you found a shed skin rather than a live snake, that's still a sign that a snake has been living in or around your home. Read our guide on what to do when you find a snake skin in your home for next steps.

Questions? Call (615) 613-5992 — we're here 24/7.