As temperatures soar during the summer months, snakes—just like humans—seek shelter from the blistering heat. While some prefer to stay in the wild, others may slither closer to homes in search of cool, shaded places with easy access to food and water. If you live in an area where snakes are common, it’s important to understand where they tend to hide when it gets very hot—sometimes even inside your house.
Why Snakes Enter Homes in the Heat
When it’s extremely hot, snakes are at risk of dehydration and overheating. They’re cold-blooded creatures, which means they don’t regulate their own body temperature. In scorching weather, their priority becomes finding a cooler, moist, and shaded environment. Your home—or the shaded areas around it—might be the perfect refuge.
Common Indoor Hiding Spots for Snakes
Snakes are surprisingly good at squeezing through small openings, often as small as a quarter-inch wide. Once inside, they look for spots that offer darkness, seclusion, and consistent temperatures. Here are some of the most common hiding places:
1. Basements and Crawl Spaces
Cool, damp, and dark—basements are like paradise for snakes on hot days. They often enter through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes and vents.
2. Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms often have small openings for dryer vents or utility lines. With low traffic and warmth from appliances, these spaces can be inviting.
3. Garages
Snakes may slither into garages through gaps under the door or through vents. If you store boxes, gardening supplies, or pet food in the garage, these offer great hiding places and may even attract rodents—which snakes love to eat.
4. Kitchens and Pantries
Snakes may follow the scent of rodents into kitchens and pantries. If there are small cracks behind cabinets or holes near plumbing, snakes can use them to hide or move between rooms.
5. Closets and Storage Areas
Dark and undisturbed, closets full of shoes, bags, or unused items can be perfect places for a snake to take shelter—especially in rarely used guest rooms or attics.
6. Bathrooms
Believe it or not, bathrooms can attract snakes due to the cool tiles and water sources. Some even make their way through sewer lines or cracks near water pipes.
Where Snakes Hide Around Your Yard or Property
Even if they don’t come indoors, snakes will often remain close to a house if there’s shade, shelter, and food outside. Key hiding spots include:
-
Wood piles or stacked firewood
-
Tall grass or overgrown gardens
-
Compost heaps or leaf piles
-
Under sheds or decks
-
Children’s playhouses or dog houses
-
Potted plants on porches or patios
How to Prevent Snakes From Entering Your Home
Keeping snakes out of your home is all about making your space less inviting to them. Here’s a practical guide to help you stay snake-free:
Seal Entry Points
- Inspect your home’s foundation, windows, and doors** for cracks or gaps.
- Use caulk or weather stripping to seal openings—snakes can squeeze through holes as small as a coin.
- Install mesh screens over vents and drains.
Yard Maintenance
- Keep grass short and trim overgrown shrubs—snakes love hiding in dense vegetation.
- Remove leaf piles, wood stacks, and debris, which offer shelter and attract rodents (a snake’s favorite snack).
- Consider switching from wood mulch to crushed stone, which is less cozy for snakes.
Eliminate Food Sources
- Rodents and insects are snake magnets. Use traps or repellents to keep them away.
- Store pet food and bird seed in sealed containers and clean up spills promptly.
Control Water Sources
- Fix leaky hoses, AC units, and poor drainage—standing water attracts both prey and snakes.
- Avoid leaving pet water bowls outside overnight.
Use Natural Repellents
- Snakes dislike strong scents like:
- Clove, cinnamon, cedar, peppermint oils
- White vinegar, citronella, ammonia (use with caution)
- Spray these around your yard or place soaked rags in strategic spots.
Snake-Repelling Plants
- Plant these around your home’s perimeter: Lemongrass, marigolds, garlic, snakeroot, catnip—they emit scents snakes avoid.
Snake-Proof Fencing
- Install fine mesh fencing angled outward and flush to the ground.
- Focus on areas like playgrounds, pet zones, or crawl spaces.
What to Do If You Find a Snake Indoors
-
Stay calm. Most snakes are not aggressive unless provoked.
-
Do not attempt to touch or catch it yourself.
-
Call a local wildlife removal service or animal control to handle the situation safely.
-
Take a photo from a safe distance to help identify the species—this can be helpful for professionals.
Final Thoughts
Finding a snake in your home is certainly unsettling, but understanding why it’s there—and where it might be hiding—can help you take smart, preventative measures. By keeping your living spaces clean, sealed, and free from rodent activity, you can dramatically reduce the chance of any unexpected slithering guests during the next heatwave.