SALVISA, KY — A Mercer County family says their Salvisa home has turned up at least 25 snakes since they moved in, including adults, young snakes and eggs beneath the front porch. The family believes rat snakes have been using the foundation area as a nesting spot for years.

At a glance

• Animal: Rat snakes, which are nonvenomous.
• Where: A home in Salvisa, Kentucky, in Mercer County.
• When: The family bought the home in August and began finding snakes within weeks.
• What happened: The Perrys say they found snakes in the basement, then workers uncovered shed skins and multiple eggs beneath the front porch.
• Status: Openings around the house have been sealed, but the family says snakes have kept appearing.
• Anyone hurt: No one has been reported injured, but the family is worried about its 5-year-old son.

What happened

Jessica and Johnathan Perry bought the house after Jessica saw it on Zillow and decided it was the kind of place they wanted to raise their young son. They closed on Aug. 5 and said the first few weeks in the home seemed normal.

The problem began when Jessica saw a snake outside while taking out the trash. Soon after, Johnathan and a friend went into the basement and found two adult snakes and several young ones, according to Jessica’s account to LEX 18.

The family said more snakes kept turning up after that. Jessica said they later learned from a former owner that the property had once been known as “the snake house,” a nickname she says had not been disclosed before the sale.

To track down the problem, the Perrys hired an exterminator and then a contractor. Workers tore into the front porch and found shed snake skins leading toward the foundation, along with what Jessica described as multiple snake eggs under the concrete.

About the animal

Rat snakes are medium to large snakes with slender bodies, dark blotches or stripes, and long tails. Depending on the species and age, they can grow quite long and often climb well, which helps them move through barns, sheds and house openings.

These snakes are constrictors, which means they subdue prey by coiling around it. They commonly eat rats, mice, birds and eggs, so they are often drawn to places where rodents or nesting areas are present.

Rat snakes are common in much of Kentucky and can be helpful around homes and farms because they reduce rodent numbers. They are not venomous, but any snake in a house can alarm residents, especially when children or pets are nearby.

If you encounter one

If you see a snake indoors or close to the foundation, keep children and pets away and give the animal space. Do not try to pick it up, trap it by hand or corner it.

If you can do so safely, note where it entered and watch from a distance until help arrives. Local animal control, a licensed nuisance-wildlife remover or the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources can help identify and remove snakes when needed.

To lower the chance of repeat visits, seal gaps around porches, vents and utility openings, remove brush and debris near the home, and keep food sources such as rodents under control. Homeowners should inspect basements, crawl spaces and porches regularly for signs of entry.

What happens next

The family says they have already spent a few thousand dollars on traps, removal work and repairs, and one contractor estimated additional basement work could cost $4,000 to $5,000. They also plan to check the back porch and look for any other hidden dens.

A friend has started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the expenses. Jessica says the family still wants to stay in the home and hopes the snake problem can be brought under control.

Spotted a dangerous animal where you live? Report it to your state wildlife agency or local animal control.