Columbia, SC woman finds large snake in bedroom closet

FOREST ACRES, S.C. (WACH) — A Columbia woman was horrified after finding an unexpected creature slithering in her closet.

Debbie Edens, who lives in a Forest Acres neighborhood, was folding laundry in her bedroom when she looked down and saw a large snake.

“When I realized it was a snake, I was completely horrified," said Edens.

It was an Eastern Black Rat snake, which is non-venomous, but they can grow large. The discovery shook Edens up and she immediately called an expert.

“I opened the closet door and there he was, hanging out in the closet. Just wrapped around a little purse or something that was on the floor," said Scott Smith with All Things Wild Pest Control.

Smith says around this time of year, these kinds of calls are common.

“This time of year, it’s what happens. I mean, they’re out moving. They’ve been asleep all winter in hibernation. They’re hungry," said Smith.

Smith says if you do see a snake in your home, make sure you enclose it in an area and keep an eye on it until pest control arrives. He says snakes and other pests can enter your home through a chimney or any cracks in walls or doors. He says rat snakes are unlikely to harm you or your pets, but the biggest snake concern in the Columbia area are Copperheads.

"They’re very distinct, you can’t not see them when they’re there. Heads shiny like a penny, they’re tiger-striped, you see those- yeah, don’t mess with them," said Smith.