What to do if you find a snake in your home.
No one wants to hear that dreaded scream or experience the fear when you discover a snake in your home. These cold-blooded reptiles have no business there. Unless, of course, they need to warm up.
During the colder months, you may feel like airing out the house and opening a few doors. That is a great idea. We all need fresh air and a cool breeze. However, when you leave the doors open, you could, by chance, receive a visitor needing to get in from the cold.
Have you ever found a snake behind the refrigerator? It is warm back there.
How about a snake behind the dryer? Again, the warmth is just what the snake needed.
Perhaps you have awakened in the morning to find a snake coiled up on your warm laptop keyboard. (personal experience)
Well, thank goodness for the expertise and speedy action of the folks at Covenant Wildlife Removal.
First Things First
Okay, stop screaming and get off the chair. It’s not safe, and you don’t want to scare the snake. Why? Well, we haven’t identified the kind of snake and whether or not it is venomous.
So, after you have stopped the panic, be sure to keep an eye on the snake. You don’t want to lose it in the house.
Now, call wildlife removal to get on their way. Take a picture and send it to them if you can do so. If not, we all have smartphones nowadays, get on the internet and find a snake identification chart for your state. Then you will be able to identify if the snake is dangerous.
If you think the snake might be venomous, take the children and pets and get out. The wildlife removal company will track it down in the home and remove it.
Six Venomous Snakes in Alabama
Yes, there are venomous snakes in Alabama. Here is a guide to identifying them.
- Copperhead– Commonly seen in North America, there are the most likely to bite. However, the venom is not usually fatal to humans. Copperheads are medium-sized and grow to between 2 and 3 feet. Their pattern is a series of brownish crossbands shaped like an hourglass with a background appearing light brown or almost pinkish.
- Cottonmouth– With its distinctive triangular head and a thick body, this snake is often referred to as a water moccasin. They get their name from their white mouths and chin. Cottonmouths grow to two to four feet and have large jowls, dark stripes by each nostril, and pale snouts. As North America’s only venomous water snake, they rarely bite humans.
3. Coral Snake– The Coral snake’s neurotoxic venom can produce extreme pain and even death. They are small, vibrantly colored, and highly venomous snakes. In fact, it is the second-strongest venom of any snake. They range 18 and 20 inches long with almost-neckless heads, rounded noses, and similar-looking tails. This means it can be hard to tell a coral snake’s head from its tail. Just remember…
Red and yellow can kill a fellow; Red and black, a friend of Jack.
4. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake– Measuring a whopping 5.5 feet long weighing in at 5 pounds, it is the largest venomous snake in North America. The light black diamond pattern with yellowish borders are easily identifiable. A diamondback’s venom is a hemotoxin that kills red blood cells and causes extreme pain, tissue damage, and even death. 
5. Pigmy Rattlesnake– The smaller of these pit vipers is only 1-1.5 feet in length. The pigmy has a thick body grayishly marked with black blotches and reddish stripes between the back spots. Distinctive dark lines run from each eye to the corners of the mouth. Although the venom is not fatal, it is still a hemotoxin and will cause extreme pain and swelling.
6. Timber Rattlesnake– At 3-4.5 feet or so, this snake has crossbands on a lighter background. While their bites are rare, they are considered a medical emergency and could be fatal. The redeeming news about his rattler is they have been shown to have reduced the tick population since they eat the rodents that harbor the ticks.
Now you know what to run from; all others will most likely be harmless. But just in case, call a wildlife removal specialist to safely remove and relocate the snake.
What to Do with A Snake in Your Home
If it is merely a rat snake or a ring-neck snake, breathe a sigh of relief. You are in no danger, but it still needs to go. No matter the snake issue, the professionals at Covenant Wildlife Removal, will safely remove the snake and relocate it.
Keeping your home safe from critters is what we do. We take pride in our safe handling of all animals and in caring for your home and family.
If you see a snake or any other unwanted creature in your home, call Covenant Wildlife Removal right away.
