Hi all -

I know this is a forum for captive snakes, but I figure you all probably have a good bit of knowledge about their wild behaviors and I could use some advice!

I have a crack between the back of the house I rent and the addition on the house. A plant grew up between the crack and garter snakes have been using it as a superhighway to the space between the roof and the drywall ceiling in my living room.

I am privately delighted (don't tell my landlord or it'll never get fixed! Hornets come through there, too, you know!) because I love snakes. Initially I was only seeing one snake, who slid out of her skin sometime in April (I'm guessing a gal because of the hijinx that follows, she's my profile picture). But then around Memorial Day, I was catching garter snakes all over my living room and Milksnakes, too, all of a sudden without warning. Once I caught everyone and blocked off the access to my living space (via heater vents and holes) I thought I had the issue licked.

However, this weekend I watched no less that 20 garter snakes, one right after the other, marching (in their way) up the crack and into the roof space. It was like a single file parade of snakes. It was really cool to watch, I have to add.

Okay, long story short. I now have no less than 20, but let's be real, probably many more garter snakes all crammed up on a piece of drywall above my couch. After some time, it's a lot of weight on that already poorly made ceiling (it's starting to sag just a bit). Also, I can't seal the crack with all those snakes inside, they'll be trapped.

Here's what I'm trying to discern. What are the odds that those snakes are just up there breeding right now and will eventually make a mass exodus once they're done? Or, even though I didn't see so many before, is it possible that all those animals denned there over winter and they are permanent residents?

The issue is that I need to humanely remove them before I fix the crack in the wall, but will they remove themselves if I wait?

Any thoughts are welcome, in the meantime, here's a link to my Picasa web albums where I have some pictures:

Picasa Web Albums - CelestiHel - Snakes of my ...

Thanks for any tidbits you can offer!

H