In 2020, a couple bought an abandoned 1830s house at auction and found a snake-filled property; 5 years later, they revealed how they turned it into a family home
AI Generated The abandoned 1830s historic home came with an unexpected snake habitat PC: People Snakes near the house turned a wildlife issue into a
AI Generated The abandoned 1830s historic home came with an unexpected snake habitat PC: People Snakes near the house turned a wildlife issue into a safety concern How the couple redesigned their property to reduce snake encounters naturally How Tyler safely relocated snakes and reduced encounters around the property How a snake-filled property became home When Tyler and Lauren Bouldin bought an abandoned stone house in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, they knew restoring it would be a long and unpredictable project. The 1830s property had damaged interiors, overgrown grounds and years of neglect to undo. What they did not expect was that the land surrounding their future family home had become a haven for snakes. The couple soon found themselves dealing with frequent encounters with black snakes, water snakes and copperheads while trying to rebuild the historic property. Instead of removing the wildlife completely, they focused on changing the landscape and making the surroundings safer for both their family and the animals already living there.The Bouldins first saw potential in the neglected property when they purchased it at auction in late 2020. The house had character that was difficult to find in newer buildings, with old stonework, mature trees, a nearby creek and a location surrounded by protected woodland.Reportedly, but the condition of the home reflected years of abandonment. Parts of the interior needed major repairs, the kitchen was missing and sections of the staircase had deteriorated.The couple knew they were taking on a major restoration project, but the state of the surrounding land brought a different kind of challenge.As reported by People, among those predators were several species of snakes.
For Tyler, who admits he had always been afraid of snakes, the discovery was difficult to adjust to. One of their first encounters happened almost immediately after taking ownership. A large black snake was spotted climbing a sycamore tree, apparently searching for bird eggs. It was a sign that the property was already home to a well-established wildlife population.During the early months of renovation, Tyler and Lauren lived in a caretaker’s apartment inside the property’s barn while work on the main house continued. Their family situation made safety a constant consideration, especially with young children and a dog exploring the grounds.At first, they tried not to interfere with the snakes. Black snakes, in particular, are often viewed as helpful because they prey on rodents and may discourage other snake species from settling in the same area. The couple accepted that some wildlife would remain part of life on the property. They continued with renovations while keeping an eye on where snakes appeared and avoiding unnecessary confrontation.That approach became harder when they started finding snakes in places closer to the house. Some were discovered near the abandoned swimming pool, while others appeared around areas where the family regularly spent time. Tyler said the biggest concern was not simply the presence of snakes, but the fact that different species were appearing in the same hiding spots.Rather than trying to eliminate the snakes, the couple decided to address the conditions that were attracting them.
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