This evening I went out to get a screwdriver from my work bench. As I headed back towards the door into the house I saw a http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/l.g.californiae.html stretch out against the wall to the right of it. I didn't yell, but I did kind of jump around and back (it would have been quite humiliating if anyone else had seen it. It was a baby at that - just about a foot long. I guess the warmth of the car engine drew it in (its cool tonight). I used one of those http://www.amazon.com/32-Reacher-Grabber-Pick-Stick/dp/B0016P1VT2 to grab it and take it out to the yard. I didn't want to hurt it - they're very beneficial for killing rodents and even rattlesnakes when they're grown (and they aren't venomous). Still, it unnerved me and now I'm looking all over my house hoping to not see one in here. That very thing happened with another baby King Snake at my work a few years ago, so I know they can find their way indoors.

So I find I'm a big chicken where snakes are concerned. Ever find an unwelcome visitor in/near your house (non-human )? Did it make you cautious for a while afterward?

No I never had an ill welcomed (non human) visitor(s). Except once. A couple of wasps got in my house and I put some dish soap down and the little bastard's got stuck to it.

Hmm. You did overreact a bit, but I wouldn't of called you a chicken. It's nice to hear that you didn't murder the snake, some people kill possums, snakes, and other non-domestic animals on site which I don't like. If the animal is a visible threat, I can see why they may need to be exterminated, other than that no.

Well if you didnt scream and call a man to come help your good. No need to feel bad.

Worst one was when I had a raccoon get through the roof and make it's way into the utility room. Those things can get nasty when backed into a corner.

I'm imagining that weather man having the encounter with the cockroach.

No especially interesting visitors here; about the scariest things are a hedgehog who likes eating tandoori chicken, though we haven't seen him in years, I think he changed his route after we had a new fence built, and one of the local deer that comes and eats the flowers. The scariest sounding things are passing foxes which sound like goblins, quite unnerving at 2am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClwIj3x24Q4

I once had a shed snakeskin in my backyard. I never saw the snake though.