Slithery surprise in the laundry room -- times two

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Two Bay Area couples got quite a shock during a routine laundry day on Sunday. They found snakes in their laundry rooms.

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services removed a large rat snake from an area between the dryer and the wall of a home in the Palmer Ranch area of Sarasota on Sunday.

A dead snake was removed from inside the dryer of a Wesley Chapel home on Sunday as well.

According to pest control experts, snakes getting into dryers are a common call they receive.

"Sometimes at 3 o'clock in the morning somebody gets up to get a glass of milk or something, and they see it in their kitchen," said Christopher Wirt, owner of A All Animal Control.

Snakes typically are searching for two things: A meal or a warm resting place.

"They're cold blooded animals, so if you're using your dryer a lot, there's a lot of heat coming out," continued Wirt. "Other animals, such as lizards and frogs, they'll go to that warmth, so the snakes go to the food."

Pest control experts say snakes are also drawn to areas beneath refrigerators and stoves due to the warmth.

Homeowners hoping to keep snakes out are advised to make sure they seal all of the doors to their homes, including garages, properly. Putting a mesh or metal cage over dryer vents can also protect your home.

"Dryer vent covers, you can buy them at Lowes or Home Depot. We install one that's metal," added Wirt. "It keeps rodents and frogs out of there, and usually if it keeps that out, we've never had a problem with a snake getting in there."