When Jessica Perry and her husband closed on a cottage‑core home in Salvisa, Mercer County, on August 5, they fell in love with the property’s charm and quickly imagined raising their son there. Within weeks, however, the dream turned into a nightmare as rat snakes began appearing throughout the house.
Snakes appear in the basement
According to Perry, the first sighting occurred during the first week after moving in. Over the next several weeks the family found two adult rat snakes and several juveniles in the basement. Rat snakes are non‑venomous constrictors that prey on rodents, birds and eggs, but their presence can be unsettling for homeowners.
Attempts to control the infestation
The Perrys hired an exterminator who set snake traps in the basement and around the home. They also brought in a contractor to remove part of the porch in hopes of locating the snakes’ entry points. The work uncovered what Perry believes was a long‑standing den, complete with shed skins embedded in the foundation and multiple snake eggs that appeared to have been laid over several years.
Even after cleaning out the den and sealing openings, the problem persisted. Just days ago the family discovered another snake, about six feet long, in the basement.
Financial strain and community response
The previous owner did not disclose the snake issue, and neighbors recalled hearing similar stories from former residents. One neighbor recalled growing up in the house and remembering snakes in the basement, while a former owner confirmed the property was once nicknamed “the snake house.”
To date, the Perrys have spent a few thousand dollars on mitigation, and a contractor estimates that repairing the basement could cost an additional $4,000 to $5,000. “We just don’t have it,” Perry said.
Faith and hope guide the family
Despite the stress, the family remains hopeful. “We believe God put us in this situation for a reason,” Perry explained. “He blessed us with this home, and we’re going to do everything we can to mitigate the issue. We want to raise our son here and stay in this good community.”
A friend has started a GoFundMe campaign to help the family cover the remaining expenses, and local residents have expressed support for the Perry’s perseverance.
What’s next?
The Perrys continue to work with exterminators and contractors to fully eradicate the snakes and repair the basement. They hope that, with God’s guidance and community assistance, they can restore their home to the safe, welcoming place they envisioned.
Original reporting: LEX18 Lexington (local) — read the source article.
