Snake in the house

RobA · Jul 20, 2015

My wife saw a snake in the basement yesterday (she's not too thrilled about it). Pretty sure it is a garter snake, about 2 feet long. I searched for it several times, however, most of the basement is finished and there are a ton of places for it to hide. Any thoughts on how to attract it? I'd rather not call an exterminator if it is a simple thing to catch it.

I saw online where you can catch them with glue traps inside a plastic drainpipe type tube and then spray them with vegetable oil to release them outside. Not sure if I just have to hope it goes through the tube as it travels along a wall or if I can put something in it to attract it.

MH8675309 · Jul 20, 2015

If you turn it loose whats to stop it from getting back in?

RobA · Jul 20, 2015

I am fairly certain I figured that out - the phone company's conduit coming into the house was not sealed.

Fawken · Jul 20, 2015

Back in the 80's when the house was being built, a really big chicken snake somehow crawled through the septic tank and into the toilet. That's when you learn if the wife married you for love- or money.....

KiotiKowboy · Jul 20, 2015

No fun - especially if you don't have a definite ID on the snake. They do make glue traps for snakes but they're just a little pricey.

I caught a copperhead crawling into a small hole in the wall that separated the garage from the living room. Had to get it by the tail to drag it out and adjust its attitude. I am not at ease around venomous snakes so it was a little more exciting than i like

milligjg · Jul 20, 2015

I'd burn the house down! I hate snakes

Parkanzky · Jul 20, 2015

My brother raised a pet snake (A ~15' albino burmese python) when he was in college. He would sometimes let it freely roam his apartment. If he wanted to collect him, he'd just turn a heat lamp on in a corner and it was just a matter of time before he'd end up there "sunning" himself.

So to attract it, just give it a warm spot to relax and I suspect it will find it on its own. Capturing it is another matter entirely...

MarkF48 · Jul 20, 2015

Had a good size garter snake in the cellar years and the wife found it when she went down to do the laundry. I was able to grab it and get it outside and let it loose. Kind of mixed feelings about snakes in the cellar as long as they aren't poisonous. They'll go after mice that get in down there and they generally won't bite unless provoked.

Walt 2002 · Jul 20, 2015

Well my Grandfather kept garter snakes in his flower pots in the house to catch flies, I'm talking 1930s. I do not kill snakes unless it is poisonous which are very rare in our area. Snakes are generally "good critters." A snake has to eat, if you have nothing for it to eat, it will leave.

Walt Conner