[Yoda]

DS was startled when he went into the bathroom just now and there was a snake lying on top of the toilet. We have an electrical short in that room so no working lights except portable lanterns. He said it wasn't terribly big and it looked dark but he wasn't certain if it was a black snake or other. We went looking for it together with two lanterns but I think he startled the snake as much as it startled him and now it is not to be found.

My house is really messy so it would be easy for a snake to hide. Used towels and clothing are all over the bathroom floor so I dunno how to catch it.

Fortunately we are not afraid of snakes and if I could get a good look to make sure it is not poisonous I'd be fine. This is snake # 8 or 9 that has come indoors since we have lived here. They have all been rat snakes, black snakes or green snakes so I killed the first 2 but after that we just let them be. I did hold one down gently with a garden rake and DS and I tried to get it to go into a cardboard box so we could put it outside but the snake chose to go under the refrigerator instead.

How should I catch this wild snake?

[tametc]

Originally Posted by Yoda

How should I catch this wild snake?

Very carefully.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Wow, that's kinda scary. I'd probably never open windows or doors, if I lived in that kinda place. Are you able to get someone to take care of that for you? Y'know, in-case it's dangerous.

Wow Yoda I don't know. I found a dead snake in my closet and it had me worried for weeks afterwards
If it was me I'd have more than a lantern and the search would not end til that snake was found. If it isn't venomous, and chances are it isn't, you're okay. I wish I could help but all I can do is wish you luck!
Oh BTW you can find very powerful flashlights on ebay dirt cheap. 1000 to 2000 lumen lights + 18650/28650 battery + charger for about 10 bucks. You'd be amazed how bright they are. There would be no dark corners They would blind you if you shined one in your eyes.
Me, I'd start closest to the door and begin pulling clothes/towels out. Carefully

[roads]

If you have a snake hook, that makes catching it a little easier--if you can find it. I have a black snake that's lived in the wall & I assume visits the other floors also, since it's a common wall.

The only time it's come out in the open is when it senses food. It cames out one night when a cricket was making a racket under my refrigerator. As soon as it ate the cricket, it went back down the hall and out through a small hole in the baseboard in a closet.

Maybe you could play recorded cricket or mice sounds?

I'm happy to have mine living here, since it's harmless to me and there's no open spaces for it outside anymore. I'd prefer that my cat didn't eat such things.

roads

[buzz bee]

Originally Posted by tametc

Very carefully.

Thats what I was going to say.

[buzz bee]

I have no idea, but 1/2 hour ago I was looking on twitter and saw this. Enjoy!

Snakes - Craziest Things Ever Found in Toilets | Gadget Pics

[krisakira]

You could call animal control and have them find the snake.

[Yoda]

I got a good look at it as it crawled under a wooden chest in the hallway. It is a black snake and it is small. Unfortunately the chest is too heavy to lift. Now that I know what it is I am not going to chase it. If he comes out and I can grab him behind his head I'll put him outside.

[possum220]

Good Luck

[winter4me]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I got a good look at it as it crawled under a wooden chest in the hallway. It is a black snake and it is small. Unfortunately the chest is too heavy to lift. Now that I know what it is I am not going to chase it. If he comes out and I can grab him behind his head I'll put him outside.

Give yourself a lever, and you can move the world...(have a friend with you...)

Shine a light in his eyes. This will stun him. While he walks around in a blind daze, tackle him to the ground.

[lizardlady]

Yoda, black snakes are "good" snakes. They are not poisonious and eat things we don't want in the house. I'm with you. I would leave him alone. If he comes out where you can catch him, fine catch him and put him out, otherwise live and let live.

I have a couple of black snakes that live under my house. I warn people who come to visit so the won't be startled if they see them, but we live in harmony. I once had a HUGE indigo snake that lived in the barn. I warned clients about him, again so he wouldn't startle anyone, but my policy was hands off with him. That sucker was big enough I didn't have to worry about rats in the barn.

[Pikku Myy]

You call for help!!!!

[PoorPrincess]

If you are serious about locating and ridding your home of whatever kind of snake, it's a simple enough solution. Seriously. Get for your home/ or borrow a mature Jack Russell Terrier. Jacks are the simplest solution to snakes indoors or out. Period.

[Mike_J]

Get a pet mongoose

[MotownJohnny]

1-800-rent-a-mongoose ????

[PoorPrincess]

I can tells we gals know who to call on when in need for serious extermination.

Guys, of course the mongoose is great. But why not make a fun, adorable, loving addition to the family with a bouncy, snake-finding Jack Russell Terrier? Or at the very least, put out the word and go online to borrow one for the job. Promise.

[roads]

Jack Russells are incredible dogs, but they require a lot of training, exercise, and of course all the vet attention that is expensive--even if they're healthy.

Please also consider the benefits of letting a harmless black snake share your home. They are shy, will disappear from sight quietly if you let them, don't require walking or training, and are so effective in vermin cleanup. Set aside any biblical prejudice--the Snake in the Garden of Eden was the Devil in disguise, not your neighborhood black snake who just wants shelter, a quiet life, and keeping his shared environment pest-free.

Sincerely,
roads

-- The End --

[Alone & confused]

Originally Posted by tametc

Very carefully.

Lol. Exactly what I was about to say!

[Werewoman]

Meh. Leave it be. Snakes are beautiful creatures who have an undeserved bad reputation. If there are any vermin around your place, they won't be there for long, and then the snake will move on.