If they hadn't done so over the several thousand years they were here
before us, it is doubtful that they would have done so now. Snake bites
are a danger in any case.

I've had black rat snakes come and go. They lack the distinctive
triangular shape in the head that the cotton mouths have, and the
coloration along the body seems much more monotone. My solution to
having them as house guests was to knock out the crumbling vents with a
hammer and cold chisel and use pop-in replacements from Home Depot.

They are pretty active hunters so they aren't likely to be staying
inside unless you've got a rat problem too. A quick check around the
space with a high-power beam flashlight a couple of times helps ensure
it isn't trapped inside.

They are excellent climbers, and despite the name they seem to like to
raid bird nests as well.

wrote:
I have heard that some black snakes have bred w/water moccisons and are
now poisionous? You can contact Scott Cooper w/Cooper Pest Control, he
sells a live snake trap that uses mice urine to attract them. His # is
872-5520