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 has blighted interiors, overgrown grounds and years of neglect to decline.
What they didn’t expect was that the land surrounding their future family home would become a haven for snakes. The couple soon found themselves dealing with frequent encounters with black snakes, water snakes and copperheads as they attempted to rebuild the historic property. Rather than completely removing the wildlife, they focused on changing the landscape and making the surrounding environment safer for both their families and the animals already living there.
The abandoned historic house dating back to the 1830s had an unexpected habitat for snakes
The Bouldins first saw potential in the neglected property when they bought it at auction in late 2020. The house had a character hard to find in newer buildings, with ancient stonework, mature trees, a nearby creek and a site surrounded by protected forests.The condition of the home reportedly reflects years of abandonment. Parts of the interior needed major repairs, the kitchen was missing and parts of the staircase had deteriorated.
The couple knew they were undertaking a major restoration project, but the condition of the surrounding land brought a different kind of challenge.As People reported, those predators included several species of snakes. For Tyler, who admits he has always been afraid of snakes, this discovery has been difficult to come to terms with. One of their first meetings occurred almost immediately after they acquired ownership. A large black snake was seen climbing a sycamore tree, apparently searching for bird eggs.
It was a sign that the property was already home to an established wildlife population.
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Snakes close to home have turned a wildlife problem into a safety concern
During the first months of the renovation, Tyler and Lauren lived in a temporary apartment within the property’s barn while work continued on the main house. 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 beneficial because they prey on rodents and may discourage other snake species from settling in the same area.
The couple agreed that some wildlife would remain part of life on the property. They continued the renovation work while monitoring where snakes appeared and avoiding unnecessary confrontation.This approach became more difficult when they started finding snakes closer to home. Some were discovered near an abandoned swimming pool, while others appeared around areas where the family regularly spent time.
Tyler said the biggest concern wasn’t just the presence of snakes, but the fact that different species were showing up in the same hiding places.
How the couple redesigned their property to naturally reduce snake encounters
Instead of trying to eliminate the snakes, the couple decided to address the conditions that were attracting them. They began removing overgrown parts of the property, removing piles of rubbish and closing gaps around buildings where rodents could nest.The abandoned complex has become one of the largest projects. Once a neglected area attracting wildlife, it has been removed and replaced with a landscaped park.
The pond was restored, filtration systems added, and portions of the grounds were redesigned to make it more usable for the family.The work was slow and often done with whatever free time they could find. Stone walls, gardens and wooded areas were gradually removed, 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 getting too close.The goal was not to create a property completely devoid of wildlife. Living in a forested area meant that encounters were always possible. Instead, they wanted the land to be less attractive as a habitat for snakes while preserving the natural surroundings.
How Tyler safely transported snakes and minimized encounters around the property
When the snakes kept showing up, Tyler developed a careful way to keep them away from the house. Using specialized 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. Although he has become more comfortable with snakes over time, he still describes the experience as scary.The couple continued to avoid harming animals whenever possible. Their focus remained on reducing confrontations through landscaping and maintenance rather than taking more extreme measures.Over time, the changes started to make a difference. Daily viewings that have become part of their routine are becoming less common.
How a snake-infested property became a home
More than five years after purchasing the abandoned home, Tyler and Lauren say the property looks very different from the home they first bought.Restoration is still ongoing, as is often the case with historic homes, but the grounds have become a place where their families can spend more time outdoors without the same level of worry. Snakes have not completely disappeared. The couple still sees them occasionally around the property, which they accept as part of living so close to the Pennsylvania woods.
However, confrontations are now much less frequent than before.For Tyler, this experience was a reminder that older properties often come with challenges that are unpredictable before purchase. Repairs, costs and timelines can change once work begins, but transforming a home made the years of effort worthwhile.
