Keeping your home neat and tidy is a point of pride for many people. But even if you're incredibly well organized and on top of your cleaning schedule, there's always the possibility that an animal can make its way inside your house. This is especially true of snakes, which will often seek out the warmth your living space provides while they hunt for prey and take cover from predators. Unfortunately, for as good as they are at breaking in, they're also natural experts at staying undetected by being able to turn practically anything into a hiding spot. But if you're suspicious that there's a reptile around, there are a few spots you may want to check first. Read on to see which unexpected places experts say snakes hide in your home.
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1 | Under furniture
Andrey_Popov/ShutterstockAnyone who has done a little spring cleaning knows that the space under even your most used furniture can be a dusty, unreachable area. Coincidentally, this solitude is what makes these spaces so appealing to reptiles.
"This is a classic snake hiding spot," Jennifer Mecham, a snake expert and writer with ReptilesBlog.com, tells Best Life. "Snakes love to curl up in dark, out-of-the-way places, and your couch or standing wardrobe is the perfect place for them to do just that."
And it's not just the case with your living room sofa, bedroom dressers, and other heavy furniture. They can get especially comfortable in and around furniture in places like your basement or guest rooms where there is less foot traffic.
"If your [basement] is filled with a lot of furniture, chances are snakes will hide under these pieces to avoid any human contact," Mike Orlino, owner of Superior Pest Elimination, previously told Best Life.
2 | In your laundry room
ShutterstockIronically, the room in your house where you clean your clothes tends to be a little messier and more chaotic than other places, thanks to the piles of clothing and heaps of cleaning supplies. And because of its relatively low foot traffic and relatively high warmth, reptiles can make themselves at home there.
"If you have a laundry room, it's a good idea to check it regularly for snakes," says Mecham. "They love to hide in the dirty laundry, and you might not even know they're there until you put your clothes in the washing machine and find a snake coiled up in the bottom."
However, you might also want to double-check your appliances. "I have had them in dryers," Roger Dickens, technical expert in bird & wildlife control with Ehrlich Pest Control, tells Best Life. "They crawl up through the dryer vents that are near the ground."
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3 | In your kitchen appliances
ShutterstockSnakes typically enter your home looking for warmth and protection. Ideally, they also like a relatively humid environment where they can stay out of the way. So what better space to claim as their own than your heated kitchen appliances?
"Believe it or not, snakes can and do hide in dishwashers," Mecham warns. "They love the warm, wet environment, and it's the perfect place for them to escape the attention of humans."
Part of this has to do with the reptiles' basic survival strategy. "Snakes can't regulate their body temperature, which means they must search for a warm place when they get too cold," Ian Williams, BCE, technical services manager at pest control company Orkin, previously told Best Life. "Your house [and certain appliances] could attract a cold snake wanting to increase its body temperature."
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4 | In your toilet
Holger Kirk / ShutterstockIt might sound like a nightmare scenario, but it's true: Many people have been surprised when they open their toilet lid to find a snake inside.
"This is another classic snake hiding spot," says Mecham. "Snakes love to curl up in tight, dark places, and your toilet bowl is the perfect place for them to do just that."
In some cases, the reptiles find their way into your home on the ground floor before slithering into the bathroom. However, it's still possible for them to find their way inside through the pipes themselves. According to experts at home design website Hunker, this terrifying scenario is possible thanks to how plumbing design works in many homes, which can use a vent stack that runs from your roof to the sewer. When snakes accidentally enter these pipes, they can become stuck and are then forced to crawl out in openings such as your toilet bowl.
5 | In your closet
ShutterstockWhether you have a full-on walk-in or just a simple rack with hangers, your closet is where you organize all your best looks. But given the amount of clutter caused by storage, they also provide an enticing hiding spot for reptiles.
"Snakes love hiding in dark, damp, secluded places, often hiding behind boxes, bags, or in piles of clothes if they go a while undisturbed," Joshua Paske of Paske Pest Control previously told Best Life.
Like their love of laundry baskets, heaps of clothes in your closet provide a safe haven for snakes and the prey they hunt, such as rodents, says Paske. Make sure you properly store your items and opt for rigid plastic boxes over cardboard when possible.
READ THIS NEXT: The No. 1 Sign There's a Snake in Your Kitchen.
6 | In your bed
ShutterstockOf all areas of the house, your bed is ideally the safest, most personal place there is. Unfortunately, experts say reptiles tend to make themselves comfortable in your sleeping space.
"Yes, snakes can and do hide in beds," says Mecham. "They love the soft, comfortable mattress and relative warmth, not to mention that it's the perfect place for them to escape the attention of humans during daylight hours."
But it's not just under the covers: They can also find plenty to enjoy in the area around your mattress, too.
"The space under beds is dark and usually has clutter beneath them, making it the perfect place for snakes to hide and find comfort," Todd Milsom of Delsea Termite & Pest Control previously told Best Life.
