Myth? I found a 3' black snake climbing the exterior wall going toward the eaves. I've seen gaps in my vented eaves and am sure if I had not taken the snake down it could have found a way into the second floor. For years and years I've heard people say that black snakes help keep away copperheads and rattlers. I have my doubts. Does anyone know for sure?

Question. One of my son-in-laws is an avid outdoorsman. I told him about the black snake and commented I keep rodents killed and there wouldn't be anything for the snake to eat. So, the snake would leave. He said snakes establish dens. They will leave the den to acquire food and return back to it. Is this true? Could the black snake been returning?

I'm trying to personally sell the place. I would hate to have a potential buyer encounter a snake while looking. All information appreciated. Gene

Kingsnakes, on the other hand, do eat copperheads and rattlers, and if one of those is around your house, and the venomous ones sense it, they'll likely move on.

Many snakes den together over winter, but when it warms up, they will leave the den and dispurse over the countryside, returning to it in the fall. I dont think your black snake was returning to its den. It was probably just looking for food. Black rat snakes have a reputation for climbing up the sides of houses, trees, etc, in search of whatever munchies could possibly be found there, so my guess is that's what it was doing.

Sharon McKenzie