Perrys find at least 25 snakes in new Kentucky home
The couple discovered a decades-old den beneath the porch, forcing them to spend thousands on repairs and daily basement checks for their young son.
By Robert Ward ·
Jessica and Johnathan Perry bought their first home in August in Salvisa, Kentucky. Three weeks after the purchase, they discovered a snake on the porch while taking out the trash. Since then, the couple has found at least 25 snakes inside the house. They described the situation as an infestation.
The family did not find the snake den during multiple home inspections before closing. Jessica Perry hired a contractor to dig out the concrete beneath the front porch. The workers found dozens of snake eggs, including fresh ones and eggs that appeared to be several years old. Neighbors told the Perrys that the property had a local reputation. One neighbor joked that the snakes were free with the purchase. A previous owner confirmed the home was nicknamed the snake house when he was a child.
The Perrys fear that multiple dens exist within the home foundation. Jessica Perry said that eradicating the problem might require busting down the entire structure. The snakes are not venomous, but the couple worries about their five-year-old son. Johnathan Perry explained that snakes seek warmth. He feared they could move to the upper level and curl up near his son in bed. The family now searches the basement for snakes every evening. They ask each other if they have checked for snakes before going to sleep.
The couple has spent thousands of dollars on unexpected repairs. They plan to remove the back porch to check for another den. They will also address potential foundation problems. The work is expected to take months and cost thousands more. A friend of the family set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the additional labor. The Perrys also added more cats to the household and cleared brush near a creek to deter the snakes. They plan to do more work in the spring.
Kat Dale, the lead keeper at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, offered guidance on handling indoor snakes. She said that if a person is sure the snake is nonvenomous, they can carefully remove it by hand. Dale warned that frightened snakes may bite, musk, or shake their tails to protect themselves. She suggested using a large container or the end of a broom to guide the snake out. Dale emphasized that extermination is not the best solution because snakes help control pests. She advised people to contact a qualified wildlife professional if they cannot confidently identify the snake.
The Perrys remain in the home while repairs continue. They have not sold the property. The couple continues to monitor the basement and porch areas. They hope to resolve the foundation issues before the next season. The financial burden of the repairs has strained their budget. They rely on the crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of the concrete work and porch removal. The family is focused on making the home safe for their son while they address the decades-old issue.
The discovery of the eggs suggests the snake population has been present for years. The contractor found both new and old eggs in the concrete. This indicates that the snakes have been breeding in the den for an extended period. The Perrys said they did not anticipate this problem when they bought the house. They are now dealing with the costs and the daily routine of checking for snakes. The local community has been aware of the issue for a long time. The couple is working with contractors to determine the full extent of the damage to the foundation. They plan to keep the home once the repairs are complete.
