Found Small Snake in my basement..Central Jersey

[From NJ]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for being so kind and posting all your comments for my posting. I am sorry for not being able to post earlier as we didn't have power and battling Sandy. Hope the worst is over and everyone is safe.

As the snake is in question is non-venomous, would there be a chance that there are more of these snakes in the basement? I am concerned becuase, we don't have a water-body near our basement and it is an underground basement and not a walkout. What do the snakes look for? I mean what kind of food do the snakes look for? We have our pantry in the basement. Do we need to move it up? Do the snakes crawl up the stairs to the living room and on the carpet?

After the two mice that were found earlier, we didn't find any more. What is the best way to get the basement and house disinfected? Is it safe to have exterminators come in do chemical treatment?

I am worried about my little kids who run all over the basement. I would like to get rid of rodents and snakes (they don't belong here) and need an advice on safe process.

Thanks again for your time.

best
aj

[annerk]

Snakes eat rodents and are very beneficial to the environment. I hate them but understand their necessity so I live with it.

It's probable that it was attracted to your basement by the rodents. Get that situation under control and the snakes won't have a reason to come.

The advice of closing any cracks or holes given earlier is not only good, it's crucial to get the situation under control. Hire a reliable pest control company for advice on this. Rodents carry disease and can chew through your electrical wires and burn the house down.

[sirk98]

re: glue traps...

I have found, with mice, that you can take the mouse/on the trap and pour olive oil over the mouse on the glue trap, and the mouse can work itself free--be careful around the mouse's nose

[rainroosty]

Darn...sorry to see this so late. That snake is, in fact, an immature black racer.