How common is it to find a snake in your house in Florida?

While there are many species of native snakes in the state of Florida, many are non-venous and not threatening to humans. The good news is that snakes are rarely abundant in any one location, which means a snake infestation at your home is highly unlikely.

Is it common for snakes to come in your house?

In fact, it's fairly common for snakes to make their way into homes and commercial structures through small holes and cracks. Snakes can easily make a home in a crawl space, but they're also quite capable of moving into your attic or any room of the house for that matter.

Are snakes a big problem in Florida?

Burmese pythons threaten Florida's wildlife and are usually larger than all native snakes. The Burmese python is a large nonvenomous constrictor that is an invasive species in Florida. Florida's python challenge aims to raise awareness of Burmese pythons and curb a rising population.

Will a snake leave a house on its own?

Most snakes will leave your house on their own if given time and opportunity. If you find a snake in your garage or in a room leading to the outside, shut the inside doors and open the door leading outside so the snake can slither out. The snake should leave fairly quickly.

Where are snakes mostly found in Florida?

Snakes, which include 44 species of natives, “play an interesting and vital role in Florida's complex ecology,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are found in coastal mangroves, freshwater wetlands and dry uplands and in residential areas.

Snakes in Florida: What you need to know

What month are snakes most active in Florida?

As temperatures rise in South Florida, snakes become more active during snakebite season. Every year from April to October, the number of snake bites spike due to the warmer temperatures.

Should I be worried about snakes in Florida?

Most Florida snakes are harmless and beneficial and remove extra rodent populations. Even the venomous species are not particularly dangerous unless stepped on or otherwise provoked. Most snakes you encounter are most likely to be non-venomous.

Does one snake in house mean more?

Remember snakes do not usually live in colonies, so you could have a solitary snake. Just because you saw one, there is no need to panic and think that you have a house infested with millions of snakes.

Where do snakes typically hide in a house?

Snakes will hide behind the refrigerator, under the oven, under your bed, or inside cabinets. Snakes will avoid human activity. Some of the most common areas of the house to find a snake include crawl spaces, basements, garages, and attics (can snakes climb?)

How do you find a snake that is hiding in your house?

What attracts snakes to your house?

Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

Are snakes active at night in Florida?

Living in Florida's moderate temperatures means most snakes are active some part of each month in most areas. Most species are more likely to be active in the middle of the day in winter and more active in the morning and evening during summer.

What keeps snakes away in Florida?

You want to make your property as inhospitable as possible, so concentrate on ridding it of any places snakes would consider good spots to hide. Remove debris — from piles of boards, tin, sticks and leaves to flatboats on the ground and piles of bricks or stone, AWR advised — and keep vegetation cut back.

Do snakes lay eggs in houses?

As nights get cooler, snakes may seek out a warm and dry location within your home to nest and lay eggs. A snake nest will typically appear in dark places of the home, including the basement.

Can snakes enter a house through the toilet?

According to experts, unfortunately, it can happen. Not only can snakes come up through the toilet, but other critters like rats, squirrels, and tree frogs can too. However, this is not a very common occurrence, so you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Can snakes crawl into your bed?

"A snake may burrow into bedding to seek warmth. If you have a vent under or near your bed, snakes will likely hide there for warmth and to feel safe." And since snakes are such skilled hiders, the first sign that one is cozying up under your bed may come from your ears tipping you off that they're hiding out.

Can snakes come through air vents?

Dryer lines or AC vents

By their very design, vents work by allowing the passage of air into or out of your home to keep things cool or warm as needed. But experts warn that animals can sometimes use these typically one-way corridors to work their way indoors—including snakes.

What smells will keep snakes away?

Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.

What time of day are snakes most active?

Snakes are most active at night and during early morning and late evening hours, the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension says. One of the most common species of snakes isn't venomous at all.

How many people get bit by snakes a year in Florida?

According to "The Florida Handbook," published by the Florida Department of State, roughly 300 venomous snakebites occur annually in Florida. Fatalities are rare.

Are snakes out all year in Florida?

In some parts of Florida, winters are very warm to humans but still cold enough to signal to snakes that they should conserve their energy. Thus, snakes need to hibernate when it gets too cold for them in order to survive. However, in fact, they go into a state of brumation, which is similar to hibernation.

Will I see a snake in Florida?

Florida's Venomous Snakes. One thing is for certain: if you hike in Florida, or spend much of any time outdoors in Florida, you will see snakes. This is a good thing. Snakes eat rodents, which carry diseases.

What time of year do snakes stop coming out?

Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December. On warm days, snakes in brumation sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine.

What is snake season in Florida?

Snake bite season runs from April to October in Florida. There are about 50 species in the state but the most dangerous include the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, eastern coral snake, Florida cottonmouth or water moccasin, and southern copperhead snakes.

What scares snakes away?

Some common examples include marigolds, lemongrass, and wormwood. Foxes and raccoons are common predators of snakes. Guinea hens, turkeys, pigs, and cats will also help keep snakes away. If foxes are indigenous to your area, fox urine is a very good natural repellent for snakes when spread around your property.