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Jessica and Johnathan Perry say they have found at least 25 snakes in their Salvisa, Kentucky, home since purchasing it in August. They say contractors found dozens of eggs beneath the front porch, and further work to investigate dens and possible foundation issues is expected to take months and cost thousands of dollars.
Jessica and Johnathan Perry say they have found at least 25 snakes in the Salvisa, Kentucky, home they bought in August, prompting excavation beneath the front porch and plans for further work. The couple told WKYT the snakes are not venomous, but they are concerned about their young son and say the investigation and repairs could take months and cost thousands of dollars.
The Perrys told WKYT that the first snake appeared about three weeks after the purchase. Jessica Perry said she found it on the porch while taking out the trash. In the days that followed, the couple found more. About a week after the first sighting, Johnathan Perry and a friend found two adult snakes and several juveniles in the basement, according to the report.
The couple said multiple home inspections before closing did not uncover a den beneath the front porch. They hired a contractor to remove concrete there. Jessica said the work exposed dozens of snake eggs, including eggs that appeared to be from different years. The couple worries there may be more than one den in the home’s foundation, but the full extent has not been established.
The family says checking the basement has become part of its daily routine. They have added cats and cleared brush near a creek, and plan further work in the spring. The Perrys also expect to remove the back porch to look for another den and address possible foundation problems. A friend has started a GoFundMe to help cover the added expenses, WKYT reported.
A Costly Problem After Closing
The case shows how a hidden condition can become a substantial expense for new homeowners after a sale. The Perrys say they have already spent thousands of dollars trying to address a problem they did not anticipate, with additional work still planned. Whether the snakes are linked to one or several locations in the structure remains uncertain, making it difficult to know the eventual scope and cost.
The family’s concern also extends beyond property damage or repair costs. They have a 5-year-old son and are worried about snakes reaching the upper floors. Johnathan Perry told WKYT the fear was not primarily that a snake would bite, but that one might enter a bed. The family’s account describes a concern, not a reported incident involving the child.
For other residents, the report also offers a practical safety point: do not handle a snake unless you can identify it confidently. Kat Dale of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo advised contacting a qualified wildlife professional when identification is uncertain.
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From Porch Sightings to Excavation
The home is in Salvisa, in Mercer County. The Perrys bought it in August and say their first sighting came roughly three weeks later. They described finding snakes in a series of locations, including the porch and basement, before deciding to investigate beneath the porch.
Jessica Perry told WKYT that a neighbor said the previous owners should have mentioned that “the snakes were free with purchase.” She also said a former owner told her the property had been nicknamed the “snake house” when he was a child. Those are accounts relayed by the couple; the report does not independently establish the home’s history or whether the issue was disclosed during the sale.
Dale said a person who is sure a snake is nonvenomous may carefully guide it into a large container or use an object such as a broom to move it. She cautioned that a frightened snake may bite, release a strong-smelling musk or shake its tail. Dale said snakes help control pests and that extermination is not the answer. Anyone unable to identify a snake confidently should leave it alone and seek qualified help.
“If you understand their behavior and are okay with their reactions when they’re frightened, you could handle it and get them out by hand.”
— Kat Dale, lead keeper at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, speaking to WKYT
Extent of the Snake Dens
The number of snakes and eggs cited in the report comes from the Perrys’ account. The report does not identify the species, independently verify the count, or establish how many dens are present. The couple fears that there may be multiple dens within the foundation, but further work is needed to determine whether that is the case.
It is also unclear whether the snakes entered the house through a particular opening, what repairs will be required, or how much the full project will cost. The couple says inspections before closing did not reveal the problem, while a former owner reportedly told Jessica Perry that the home had been known as the “snake house.” The report does not provide details of the inspections, the sale disclosures or the former owner’s account beyond what Perry relayed.
Further Work Planned This Spring
The couple says it plans to remove the back porch to check for another den and continue work on potential foundation problems. That process is expected to take months and cost thousands of dollars, according to WKYT. The couple also plans to continue checking the basement while the work proceeds.
A friend has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for the additional work, the report said. The story does not provide a final repair estimate or a date when the investigation will be complete. The full extent of the problem should become clearer as contractors inspect more of the structure.
Key Questions
How many snakes have the homeowners found?
The Perrys told WKYT they have found at least 25 snakes in the home since buying it in August. The report does not say that the count was independently verified.
Are the snakes venomous?
The report says the snakes are not venomous. It does not identify their species. Anyone who cannot confidently identify a snake should avoid handling it and contact a qualified wildlife professional.
Where did contractors find snake eggs?
Jessica Perry told WKYT that contractors found dozens of eggs after breaking through concrete beneath the front porch. She said some appeared new and others appeared older, but their ages were not confirmed.
What work do the homeowners plan next?
The couple says it plans to remove the back porch to check for another den and address possible foundation problems. The work is expected to take months and cost thousands of dollars, according to WKYT.
What should someone do if they find a snake indoors?
Kat Dale of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo said a person should only attempt to move a snake if they are sure it is nonvenomous and comfortable handling it safely. If identification is uncertain, do not handle the snake; contact a qualified wildlife professional.
Source: wkyt.com
