How Do You Stop Snakes from Brumating in Your Home?

Have you ever wondered where snakes go when it is cold? They typically disappear in the winter, but they are not necessarily gone.

Read on to know what goes on with snakes during the cold months and what you can do to prevent them from invading and nesting inside your home. 

Snake Hibernation

Hibernation is the practice of most mammals and even plants during the winter. They go on a long deep sleep to conserve energy and nutrients during this time of food scarcity. The process also helps them survive by slowing down their breathing and heartbeat. 

And because snakes disappear during this time, many people think that it is because they undergo hibernation too. This is not necessarily the case, and you are still at risk of encountering unexpected snake attacks during this period. 

Contrary to popular belief, snakes do not go into hibernation. Instead, they undergo a similar process referred to as brumation. 

Brumation

Cold-blooded animals like snakes tend to be less active in the cold months because the extreme temperatures can make them tired and lethargic. That is why brumation is as vital to them as hibernation is to mammals. 

Unlike hibernation, brumation involves a shorter amount of sleep because snakes must wake up and look for food and water in this period anyway. Once they find what they need, they will go back to brumating for a more extended period if necessary. 

To ensure the safety of everyone in your household, expect snakes to be brumating starting September to April. Snakes may also come out of their brumation once the weather becomes a little warmer and trigger more activity in their bodies. 

Ideal Locations for Brumation

Snakes that brumate in the wild choose warm locations, such as the dens built by squirrels and other kinds of rodents. They may also sleep inside tree stumps and caverns during this period. 

It is typical for snakes to brumate in one place since the shared body heat helps keep everyone warm. They only need to survive the harsh winter, so they do not mind sharing a shelter even with other species. 

In cities, snakes still undergo brumation. They may choose to sleep in basements, garages, sheds, storage rooms, and similar areas to keep them cozy and warm. This is where safety measures are necessary because you must protect your family or employees against potential dangerous encounters with snakes in brumation. 

Preventing Snakes from Brumating in Your Home 

• Ensure the proper storage of your woodpiles and other materials; they should be stacked and placed at least 12 inches above the ground. Construction sites and other similar areas are prone to snakes brumating, so untidy piles of wood and materials can be a potential den for snakes. 

• Regularly manage the vegetation in your home and make sure to trim all shrubbery at a distance from your property. Remember that tall grasses attract rodents and insects and even cover snakes.

• Seal all possible entry points to your property. Snakes gain access through pipes and other openings and do not necessarily chew their way through. Blocking all their potential entrances will keep them from coming inside your home in the first place. 

Conclusion

You can respect the natural behaviors and activities of other creatures while ensuring your family members or employees are safe against deadly encounters. Follow our tips above and never worry about snakes nesting in your home!

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