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Snake in your house: what to do right now

Most snakes found in Michigan homes are harmless and more scared of you than you are of them. Your most important step: keep your distance, keep kids and pets away, and never handle a snake you cannot identify.

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Do this now

  1. 1Move kids and pets out of the room and keep them out.
  2. 2Step back to at least a few feet away and stay calm. Snakes do not chase people.
  3. 3If it is near an exterior door, open the door and step away to give it a path out.
  4. 4Close interior doors and roll a towel against the gap to keep it in one room.
  5. 5From a safe distance, take a photo and note where it goes.

Don't

  • Don't pick up or touch any snake you cannot identify.
  • Don't try to kill the snake. Most bites happen when people try.
  • Don't corner it or poke at it with your hands.
  • Don't use glue traps or poison for snakes.

Get help immediately if

  • Someone was bitten by a snake you think could be a rattlesnake: call 911, keep the person still and calm, and remove rings or tight items near the bite.
  • Someone was bitten by any snake and the area swells, bruises or they feel unwell: get medical care right away.
  • The snake has disappeared into a wall, vent or furniture in a living area: get same-day professional help.

What kind of snake is it likely to be

Michigan has many snake species, and nearly all of them are harmless to people. The ones that most often end up in houses and basements are garter snakes, brown snakes and milk snakes. They come in through foundation gaps, around pipes, and under doors, usually looking for cool shelter or the mice and insects they eat.

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is Michigan's only venomous snake. It is federally listed as threatened, rare, and shy, and lives mainly in wetlands in the Lower Peninsula. Finding one inside a house would be very unusual. Still, if you cannot identify a snake with confidence, treat it as one you should not handle and keep your distance.

Getting it out and keeping snakes out

A licensed wildlife control pro can capture and remove the snake safely, then look for how it got in. Snakes can fit through surprisingly small gaps, so sealing foundation cracks, utility openings and door sweeps matters. Because snakes follow food, a snake in the basement can also point to a mouse problem worth fixing.

Outside, cut back tall grass near the foundation and move woodpiles, rock piles and debris away from the house. Michigan wildlife rules vary by species, and protected snakes like the massasauga should never be harmed. If you are unsure about trapping or moving any animal, check with the DNR first.

What it costs

$150 to $400per visit

Price depends on how hard the snake is to find and whether you add entry sealing. After-hours or same-day emergency visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.

Common questions

Are there venomous snakes in Michigan?

Only one: the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. It is rare, shy, protected as a threatened species, and lives mostly in wetlands in the Lower Peninsula. Most snakes in Michigan homes are harmless garter, brown or milk snakes. If you are not sure, keep your distance and do not handle it.

Why is there a snake in my basement?

Snakes look for cool, damp shelter and food. A basement with gaps around pipes or the foundation, plus mice or insects to eat, can attract them. Finding a snake is a good reason to check for rodents and seal entry points.

Will the snake leave on its own?

Sometimes. If it has an open door to the outside and is left alone, it may leave. But snakes often hide in quiet spots like behind appliances or in storage boxes, and you may not know whether it left.

Other emergencies

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