Kentucky family finds dozens of snakes in their new home called 'Snake House'

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A house that seemed to offer the setting for a new family life in rural Kentucky has become the source of an expensive and persistent problem for its owners. Jessica Perry and her husband bought their property in Salvisa, Mercer County, in August 2026, attracted by its appearance and the prospect of raising their young son there.

For several weeks, nothing appeared out of place. Then snakes started turning up inside the house, first in the basement and later in other areas around the property. What initially seemed like an isolated encounter developed into a much larger discovery, with the couple finding evidence of what they believe was a long-established snake nesting site beneath their porch.

Kentucky family began finding snakes shortly after buying their cottage

The Perrys found the property through Zillow and completed their purchase on August 5, 2026.

Jessica Perry was immediately taken with the house, which matched the kind of cottage-style home she had imagined owning. The couple moved forward with an offer on the day they viewed it, expecting to settle into a place where they could build a life with their son.The first few weeks passed without any obvious indication of the problem that would later dominate their lives. According to Perry, the first sightings came shortly after they had moved in.

Within the first week of encountering a snake, the family had discovered two adult snakes and several younger ones in the basement.The sightings did not stop there. As the months passed, the couple encountered dozens of additional snakes, raising questions about how they were entering the house and whether there was an established population living beneath or around the structure.

Contractors uncover snake eggs and shed skins beneath the Kentucky home's porch

The snakes identified by the family were rat snakes, a group of nonvenomous constrictors commonly found across parts of the United States.

They feed on small animals, including rodents and birds, and can also eat eggs. Although they are not venomous, repeated encounters inside a family home can create practical difficulties for residents.Perry sought professional help after the sightings continued. An exterminator was brought in and installed traps in the basement and around the property. The couple also hired a contractor to investigate the building, eventually deciding that the porch would have to be dismantled to get a better understanding of what was happening underneath it.That work revealed evidence that suggested the snakes had been using the area for some time. Perry said LEX 18 News, “We found snake skin sheds going into the foundation of it,” Perry said. “He busted out the middle and then found multiple, multiple snake eggs that had made a den for what looked like several years.”The findings led Perry to believe that the property had been serving as a nesting location for several years.

The discovery changed the nature of the problem. It was no longer simply a matter of removing individual snakes that had found their way indoors. The couple now had to consider the possibility that the house had a longstanding entry point connected to a larger nesting area.

Six-foot rat snake discovery raises fresh concerns for the Kentucky family

The family attempted to deal with the suspected source of the infestation by clearing the area and sealing openings around the house. These measures were intended to prevent further snakes from getting inside, but they have not brought the situation to a complete end.Perry told LEX 18 News that she had discovered another snake in the basement only days before the report was published. This particular snake was approximately six feet long, suggesting that even after the initial work, the family could not yet be certain that the problem had been resolved.Repeated sightings have also affected how the family feels about living in the property. A basement that would ordinarily be used for storage or everyday household activities has become an area they cannot approach without considering the possibility of another encounter.For the Perrys, the uncertainty is as difficult as the sightings themselves. Even after hiring professionals and carrying out work around the foundation, they still do not know whether every possible entry point has been identified.

Neighbours' accounts raised questions about the property's history

As the couple tried to understand how such a large number of snakes had ended up around their home, Perry began speaking to people living nearby and looking into the property's previous ownership.

Those conversations brought forward accounts suggesting that the issue may have existed long before the couple purchased the house. One neighbour reportedly told Perry that a family member had owned the property and that, during childhood, they had encountered snakes in the basement.Perry also said she eventually spoke with someone who had previously owned the house. During that conversation, she was told that the property had been known locally by the nickname 'the snake house'.

The accounts left the couple questioning whether the previous owners had been aware of the extent of the problem. Perry maintains that no snake infestation was disclosed to them during the purchase process.

The cost of making the property habitable is adding up

Alongside the repeated encounters, the family is now facing the expense of investigating and repairing the house. Perry said they had already spent a couple of thousand dollars on attempts to control the problem, including professional assistance and work around the property.The repairs may not be finished. According to Perry, one contractor warned that a section of the basement could require substantial replacement work, with the estimated cost falling between $4,000 and $5,000.For a family that had only recently bought a home, the additional expense has created a difficult financial situation. The money already spent has not provided a permanent solution, while the prospect of further structural work means the final bill could rise.Perry acknowledged that the family does not have the funds readily available to cover the suggested repairs. The couple are therefore trying to manage an issue that involves both the condition of their property and the cost of making it suitable for their household.

Friend launches GoFundMe to help Kentucky family repair snake-infested home

With professional treatment and repairs placing pressure on their finances, a friend of the family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the Perrys raise money.

The appeal is intended to support the work needed to address the snake problem and deal with the damage or structural issues identified during the investigation.The family has not abandoned its plans for the property. Perry said she and her husband still want to raise their son in the house and remain attached to the surrounding community. She also spoke about the support they have received from neighbours and their belief that they can eventually get the situation under control.