Perry couple discovers 25 snakes in Kentucky home weeks after purchase
Homeowners in Salvage, Kentucky, found a hidden den beneath their porch, revealing a decades-old problem that now threatens their foundation.
By Renata Mehta ·
Jessica and Johnathan Perry purchased their first home in August in Salvage, Kentucky. Three weeks after closing, they discovered their first snake on the front porch. By November, the couple had counted at least 25 snakes inside the structure.
Jessica Perry was taking out the trash when she first spotted the reptile. Her son was home with her. She called her husband and her father to assist with removal. Within a week, the family found more snakes. Johnathan Perry and a friend entered the basement and located two adults and several juveniles in the crawlspace.
The couple stated that multiple home inspections prior to closing failed to identify the snake den beneath the front porch. They hired a contractor to break up the concrete under the porch. When the crew broke through the surface, they found dozens of snake eggs. Some eggs appeared newly laid, while others looked years old.
Neighbors told the Perrys that the property had a long-standing reputation. One neighbor remarked that the previous owners had not informed the buyers about the snakes. Jessica Perry contacted a former resident, who confirmed the home was nicknamed the "snake house" during his childhood. This confirmed the issue has persisted for decades.
The family now fears there are multiple dens within the home's foundation. Jessica Perry explained that eradicating the problem might require demolishing parts of the house. She described this as the family's worst-case scenario. The snakes are not venomous, but the couple worries about their 5-year-old son. Johnathan Perry noted that snakes seek warmth. He is concerned they could enter the upper level and curl up near the child while he sleeps.
Checking the basement for snakes has become a daily routine for the family. They have added cats to the household and cleared brush near a nearby creek. More landscaping work is planned for the spring. The family has already spent thousands of dollars addressing the issue. Jessica Perry said they were financially unprepared for this unanticipated problem.
Johnathan Perry said the nightly check for snakes has become a chore. He and his wife ask each other if they have inspected the basement upon arriving home. A friend of the family has created a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of additional repairs. The process is expected to take months and will require further financial investment.
Kat Dale, lead keeper at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, offered advice on handling nonvenomous snakes. She said people can remove them by hand if they understand snake behavior. She warned that frightened snakes may bite, release a musky odor, or shake their tails. Dale also suggested guiding snakes into a container or using a broom to lift them. She emphasized that snakes help control pests and should not be exterminated. If a snake cannot be identified, she advised contacting a qualified wildlife professional.
The Perrys plan to remove the back porch to check for another den. They must also address potential foundation problems. The work will take place over the coming months.
