snakes and outside vent in basement furnace room

[Belle1962]

Had my pest control today. The guy turns the corner of my house jumps back and says look it this. As I come closer he tells me to step into my neighbors yard and away from the corner of my house. I just KNEW what he was seeing and YEP I was right--a SNAKE along my house. He picked it up with some thing and threw it back into the woods. When we got to the furnace and hot water heater room in the basement he told me the snake would be back and could get into the house through the vent--it vents directly to the outside which is how other little pests/insects get into that room. He suggested I cover it with duct tape. It was a rat snake so not poisonous but we do have copperheads in the neighborhood.

How will covering the vent affect everything--will dangerous gases build up? Is not that big of a deal?

Any other suggestions? I am moving in two months so I only need a temp fix.

Trying hard to stay calm---just doubled my anxiety med for the day

 

[handinpocket]

Cover it with a screen.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You are moving in 2 months? I would not do anything. If you want to do something I suggest as the PP said and cover it with a screen.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would cover it with a screen. Duct tape would make too much of a "seal" maybe, and gases or something could build up.

A snake wouldn't be able to get through a screen, but it would still allow airflow.

 

[Belle1962]

Thanks all--have gone and bought a roll of screening. Even if I am only here 2 months--I can't sleep with the thought of that thing returning. I'd rather spend the money.