Wildlife experts are warning residents across Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas to prepare for increased snake activity as summer temperatures climb, creating conditions that drive rodents and snakes inside.
“We are seeing a dramatic increase in calls involving snakes entering homes, garages, attics, and crawlspaces,” said Dan Morgan, operations partner at Memphis-based Ranger Wildlife Removal & Prevention.
The animal control company has recorded a 50% increase in snake-related service calls this year compared to the same period in 2025. The rise comes as wildlife specialists anticipate the next three to four months to be among the busiest periods for snake encounters around residential properties across the Mid-South.
But snakes are often not the primary problem for homeowners.
As summer heat intensifies, rodents such as mice often move indoors in search of cooler shelter and places to breed. Attics, crawlspaces, garages and wall cavities provide ideal environments for nesting. And growing rodent populations inside houses and other residential structures often become hunting grounds for snakes seeking food.
Many homeowners are unaware how easily snakes and rodents can access their homes, Morgan warns. Small openings around foundations, roofs, plumbing lines and ventilation systems provide entry points for unwanted wildlife. Common problem areas include unsealed attic gaps, damaged soffits and vents, garage door openings, crawlspace penetrations, HVAC access points and foundation cracks.
Rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter inch, while some snake species can follow the same pathways.
And rodent infestations can lead to serious health concerns. Rodent urine, droppings and nesting materials may carry disease such as hantavirus, which can become airborne when contaminated materials are disturbed.
In the Mid-South, hot temperatures, wooded areas and abundant food sources create favorable conditions for a variety of snake species. Tennessee alone is home to more than 30 snake varieties and four are considered “medically significant to humans and pets,” according to biologist Lisa Powell, in the May/June 2025 issue of the state park system’s official magazine, The Tennessee Conservationist.
Although most snakes found in the region are nonvenomous and beneficial to the ecosystem, local experts recommend keeping a safe distance and contacting removal professionals if a snake is found inside a home.
Preventive measures to ward off unwelcome animals include sealing exterior openings, eliminating food sources that attract rodents, keeping yards and landscaping free of debris, and scheduling routine property inspections to identify vulnerable areas.
“The biggest misconception is that snakes randomly appear inside homes,” said Morgan. “In most cases, the house is already supporting an active food source. Prevention is far less expensive and far less dangerous than reacting after wildlife enters the structure.”
