Snake in the Attic?
Snakes in attics are more common than most homeowners realize — and they rarely come alone. We locate, remove, and seal every entry point so they can't return. Licensed, insured, and available 24/7 across the Nashville area.
(615) 613-5992How snakes end up in your attic.
Attic snakes are almost always rat snakes — large, agile climbers that follow rodent activity straight up the exterior of your home and through gaps in the roofline, soffits, fascia boards, or where utility lines enter the structure. If you have a snake in your attic, there's a very good chance you also have a rodent problem that drew it there in the first place.
The good news: attic snakes are virtually always non-venomous. The concern is what they signal — active entry points, a potential rodent infestation, and the possibility of more snakes following the same path. A single removal without sealing the entry points will result in the same problem again. We handle the full picture: removal, inspection, and exclusion.
Signs you have a snake in your attic.
Attic snakes are often heard before they're seen. Watch for these indicators:
Scratching or sliding sounds
Movement sounds in the ceiling or attic space — especially at night — are a common first sign. Snake movement sounds different from rodents: slower, smoother, with occasional rustling of insulation.
Shed skins
Finding a shed snakeskin in the attic, near the roofline, or along the exterior of the home is a definitive sign of snake activity. Rat snakes shed several times per year.
Snake sightings near the roofline
Seeing a snake climbing your exterior wall, on the roof, or near soffits and gutters indicates it has found or is searching for an entry point.
Droppings or odor
Snake droppings in the attic or a musky odor can indicate an established presence — particularly if a snake has been in the space for an extended period.
Rodent activity
Active rodent signs in the attic — droppings, gnawed insulation, nesting material — often precede or accompany snake activity. Snakes follow food sources.
Our attic snake removal process.
We don't just remove the snake and leave. Every attic call follows a complete inspection and exclusion protocol.
Inspection
We conduct a thorough inspection of the attic space and the full exterior of the home — roofline, soffits, fascia, foundation, and all utility penetrations — to locate the snake and identify every potential entry point.
Removal
We safely locate and remove the snake from the attic. Depending on the situation, this may involve trapping or direct capture. All snakes are handled humanely.
Entry point sealing
Every gap, crack, and opening we identify is sealed with professional-grade materials. We pay particular attention to roofline gaps, soffit vents, fascia board separations, and utility line entry points — the most common access routes for climbing snakes.
Written report
We provide a written report of all findings and work completed, including photos of entry points and sealed areas. If we find evidence of rodent activity, we'll advise on next steps.
Common questions about attic snakes.
Is the snake in my attic venomous?
Almost certainly not. Venomous snakes in Tennessee — copperheads, cottonmouths, and timber rattlesnakes — are ground-dwelling and very rarely climb into attics. Attic snakes are almost always black rat snakes, which are large, non-venomous, and excellent climbers. That said, never handle an unknown snake yourself — call us for a safe, professional identification and removal.
How did a snake get into my attic?
Rat snakes are exceptional climbers and can scale brick, wood siding, and rough exterior surfaces with ease. They enter through gaps in soffits, fascia boards, roof vents, ridge caps, and anywhere utility lines or pipes enter the structure. A gap as small as a half-inch is enough.
Will the snake come back after removal?
If the entry points aren't sealed, yes — either the same snake or another will find the same path. That's why we include a full exterior inspection and entry point sealing with every attic removal. Removal alone is a temporary fix.
Could there be more than one snake?
Possibly. Rat snakes are solitary, but multiple snakes can use the same entry point independently over time. If there's an active rodent population in the attic, it's a reliable food source that will continue attracting snakes until the entry points are sealed and the rodent issue is addressed.
Snake in your attic? Call us now.
We serve Nashville and the surrounding area. Same-day service available.