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 abandoned 1830s historic home came with an unexpected snake habitat
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.
PC: People
Snakes near the house turned a wildlife issue into a safety concern
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.
How the couple redesigned their property to reduce snake encounters naturally
Rather than trying to eliminate the snakes, the couple decided to address the conditions that were attracting them. They began clearing overgrown sections of the property, removing piles of rubbish and closing gaps around buildings where rodents could nest.The abandoned pool became one of the biggest projects. Once a neglected area that attracted wildlife, it was removed and replaced with a landscaped garden. The pond was restored, filtration systems were added and parts of the grounds were redesigned to make them more usable for the family.The work was slow and often happened in whatever spare time they could find. Stone walls, gardens and wooded areas were gradually cleared, reducing the number of places where snakes and their prey could hide. They also planted mint around parts of the structures, a measure they hoped would help discourage snakes from coming too close.The goal was not to create a completely wildlife-free property. Living in a wooded area meant encounters were always possible. Instead, they wanted the land to be less attractive as a shelter for snakes while preserving the natural environment around them.
How Tyler safely relocated snakes and reduced encounters around the property
When snakes continued to appear, Tyler developed a cautious method for moving them away from the house. Using specialised equipment, he captured some of the larger snakes and released them elsewhere away from the main property.The process was not something he found easy. Despite becoming more comfortable around snakes over time, he still described the experience as intimidating.The couple continued to avoid harming the animals whenever possible. Their focus remained on reducing encounters through landscaping and maintenance rather than taking more extreme action.Over time, the changes started to make a difference. The daily sightings that once became part of their routine became much less common.
How a snake-filled property became home
More than five years after buying the abandoned house, Tyler and Lauren say the property looks very different from the one they first purchased.The restoration is still a work in progress, as is often the case with historic homes, but the grounds have become a place where their family can spend more time outdoors without the same level of concern. Snakes have not disappeared entirely. The couple still occasionally sees them around the property, which they accept as part of living near Pennsylvania woodland. However, the encounters are now far less frequent than before.For Tyler, the experience has been a reminder that old properties often come with challenges that cannot be predicted before purchase. Repairs, costs and timelines can change once work begins, but the transformation of the house has made the years of effort worthwhile.
