Turning a scaly situation around

Finding an uninvited, scaly guest in your house can be distressing, but it’s possible to get the snake out without harming her or yourself. For the safety of both human and reptile, take the following steps:

• Stay calm and avoid scaring the snake into hiding, as this will make it harder to remove her from your home.

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Keep children and pets away from the area.

• Open the nearest door and gently guide the snake out with a broom from a safe distance, according to Wildlife Removal USA.

• If you’re dealing with a small or coiled snake and it’s not possible to sweep her out, place a bucket or bin over her carefully, weigh it down, and poke air holes in the container, as advised by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Call the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for assistance with releasing her back into the wild.

• If the snake is in hiding, you can try luring her out by placing a heating pad or a pile of burlap or other fabric on the floor, as snakes like warm and dark places.

• If you aren’t scared of snakes and know for a fact that the one you’re dealing with isn’t venomous, you can put on some thick gloves, pick up the snake gently, and move her outside, according to the HSUS. You can also cover the snake with a large towel or blanket, scoop her into a pillowcase, then take her outside, according to Snake-removal.com. Only do this if you’re sure neither you nor the snake will be harmed.