The Forgotten Crawlspace: Why Your Crawl Space Isn’t Empty—It’s Occupied
It’s under your feet.
Literally.
That dark, low-slung, webby void beneath your home?
It’s not just full of insulation and forgotten sprinkler parts.
It’s cooler than the desert air, quieter than the garage, and for snakes?
It’s perfect.
The Most Overlooked Danger on Your Property
Arizona crawlspaces are the unsung heroes of home construction—keeping floors cool and utilities accessible.
But for wildlife (especially snakes), they’re something else entirely:
A deluxe bunker.
What makes them so attractive?
Stable temperatures that don’t spike like outdoor concrete
Zero human activity, especially at night
Rodents and insects that get in first—and become bait
Entry points no one ever thinks to seal
It’s not a question of if a snake can get in.
It’s how long it’s been there.
True Story: The Crawlspace Rattlesnake Nest
We were called to a Scottsdale home last July.
The owner swore he heard a faint rattle under the floor near the laundry room.
He wasn’t wrong.
We found four adult Western Diamondbacks, one juvenile, a partial shed, and a rodent carcass beneath the subfloor—all tucked into the corner of an unsealed crawl space vent.
They’d likely been there for weeks.
How Snakes Get In
You might think: “My crawlspace is sealed.”
But we’ve inspected hundreds, and most have at least one of the following:
Loose or missing vent screens
Gaps around conduit or utility lines
Soil erosion beneath perimeter walls
Improperly sealed access panels
Rodent-made holes—big enough for a coiled surprise
If you haven’t physically looked or had it professionally inspected…
You’re guessing.
The Crawlspace as a Year-Round Habitat
Unlike sunbaked patios or furniture cushions, crawlspaces don’t just attract snakes in summer—they offer shelter year-round.
We’ve removed snakes in:
February (brumation spots)
April (mating season wanderers) — See: Spring, Blood, and Fangs
August (heat refugees)
November (pre-winter nesting)
And every single one was discovered accidentally.
Not by sight—by sound, smell, or worse… a bite.
What You Risk by Ignoring It
Let’s say there is a snake under there.
What could happen?
A contractor reaches in and gets bitten
A snake enters your home via HVAC or plumbing gaps
A child playing near the vent disturbs it
Rodents die and decompose, attracting more scavengers (including more snakes)
It’s not just about snakes—it’s about the ecosystem you’re letting thrive under your feet.
Learn more in Desert Shadows: Where Do Rattlesnakes Hide on Your Property?
Quick Ways to Snake-Proof Your Crawl Space
You don’t need to tear your house apart. Just do this:
Check all crawlspace vents for damage or missing screens
Seal gaps around pipes, wires, or ductwork with mesh or foam
Install critter-proof vent covers designed for desert climates
Use gravel, not mulch, around crawlspace perimeters (see why here)
Get a professional inspection before peak summer hits
If you hear rustling or rattling—don’t investigate yourself
What We Do—and Why You Shouldn’t DIY
Our team at Arizona Snake Removal doesn’t just peek inside.
We go in with thermal scopes, UV lights, and full protective gear—because we know what’s in there.
We’ve pulled:
6-foot rattlesnakes from AC ducts
Multiple gopher snakes nesting near water heaters
Dens of shed skins—and the snakes that left them
Even a Gila Monster curled up beside a forgotten weed sprayer
These aren’t “maybe” hazards.
They’re real, recurring, and removable—if you act.
Bottom Line: The Danger You Don’t See Is the One That Bites
You can tidy your yard. You can light your patio.
But if you forget the crawlspace, you’re giving snakes the one thing they want most:
Time and silence.
Don’t wait for the scratching. Don’t wait for the rattle.
And please—don’t wait for a contractor to find it first.
Book a crawl space inspection now.
We’ll handle what’s crawling beneath, so you can walk above with peace of mind
