The snake will lay eggs or give birth there when it finds a secure area with adequate protection and food. Most snakes are clever and will lay eggs or give birth in areas they see and feel safe without making any visible nest.
If you’ve encountered a snake on your property, you may be concerned that snakes have made their way into your space. During the winter, snakes tend to burrow into walls or crawlspaces to make snake nests or dens to lay their eggs.
Few people will entertain sharing their properties with these hibernating and dangerous reptiles, even if they’re nonvenomous species.
In this article, we’ll answer how to know if you have a snake nest in your home, what the snake eggs look like and what to do if you find them. Read on!
Table of Contents
What is a nest of snakes?
A snake nest, commonly known as a den, usually is a pile of loose vegetation. Typically, it looks like a mound of leaves crushed down by a snake and could have eggs buried.
However, it’s important to note that not all snakes make nests. Only a few species, such as the king cobra and rattlesnakes, build nests to lay their eggs and hibernate.
How do you know if you have a nest of snakes?
It’s not easy to tell if there’s a snake nest on your property. However, it is safe to check for signs as snakes can lay large numbers of eggs or give birth inside your house.
Below are the typical tell-tale signs of a snake nest on your property.
Unusual noises
When it’s quiet in your house, you may hear unusual noises from your wall or other restricted spaces as the snakes slither around. A nest of newly-hatched or laid snakes can be particularly noisy, so always keep an ear out.
Slither tracks
You may find slither tracks on a dusty area of a crawl space, indicating that a snake has passed through. These tracks show snakes on your property.
If they’re already outside, chances are high that some could have made it inside your home as well. If you suspect this, try sprinkling flour on the floor to ascertain any snake activity.
Shed skins
Different types of snakes normally shed their skin as they mature. So, if you come across a dry, scaly sheet of snakeskin or a crumbled heap near or in your home, chances are you have a snake nest.
If this is the case, you need to act and get rid of them, sealing up the entry points to deter the snakes in the future.
An unusual smell
Most snakes have a specific odor that is quite distinctive. If you encounter an unusual smell you hadn’t noticed before, you could also have a snake infestation.
Droppings
Snakes dropping look like bird feces. As disgusting as it may sound, you could see some small feathers and bones in the droppings from the prey digested by the snake.
If you spot such feces, there’s a snake nest, and you need snake repellent and an expert to get rid of the snakes.
Where do snakes build their nests?
Snakes typically build their nests in the following areas:
- Loose soil
- Animal burrow
- Animal holes
- Piles of leaves
- Dense vegetation
- Under rocks
- Rotting logs
How do I get rid of a nest of snakes?
If you suspect you have a nest of snakes on your property, confirm that the snake is non-venomous before getting rid of it on your own.
If unsure, call a snake removal company, local pest control expert, or animal control for safety and long-term management.
Spray with a hose
If you’re sure the snake is non-venomous, you can gently spray a hose at the nest from a safe distance to help it move along.
Use snake repellent
Numerous products work to throw off a snake’s smell sense and discourage them from nesting on your property. Most of the products are safe for pets though it’s crucial to counter-check the label and not harm the snakes.
Trapping with a garbage can
If you have a professional coming on the same day, you can trap the snake with a garbage can to prevent it from escaping before the expert arrives.
Always remember to only do this when you’re sure about the species and it is safe.
Using a glue trap
Glue traps use bait to attract the snake; then, it’s stuck to the glue. Once the snake is safe, you can remove it from the trap using common cooking oils.
Remove stagnant pools of water
Stagnant pools of water, particularly the hidden ones in your garden or storage areas, are ideal nesting places for snakes. Remove these pools to deter water snakes and other pests from your property.
Keeping the grass short
Snakes are always patient when hunting and hiding out. Always keep the lawn short of eliminating the snakes that could be hiding. This will also give you relative peace of mind that there are no snake nests on your property.
What does a snake egg look like?
Snake eggs usually are beige, white, or off-white and are oblong.
Snake eggs can range from one to five inches and grow as the embryo develops. Some people believe they look like chicken eggs, but this is incorrect. They have a soft lathery shell to the touch.
However, some Asian and African snakes lay bumpy eggs resembling a thick rice grain or a ginger root.
If curious, handle the snake eggs carefully as the baby snakes are fragile and may die. However, always look for a mother snake who won’t entertain the threat.
What do you do if you have snake eggs in your yard?
If you come across snake eggs in the wild, you should leave them alone.
If you’re unsure about the species, or one that’s dangerous, contact a snake expert or a local wildlife center to help you remove them. Always be careful with the eggs and look for the mother snake that could be around.