“This was supposed to be our fresh start,” Amber said. “But I can’t even unpack. I’m terrified there are snakes in the boxes, under the bed, anywhere.”

She added that experts believe the reptiles are garter snakes, though their unusually large size has surprised everyone. “People keep saying, ‘Yeah, those are garter snakes’ — but nobody’s ever seen ones this big.”

A Costly Surprise That’s Hard to Shake

Since the first sighting, Amber has spent around \$1,000 on snake removal services — a cost that’s quickly adding up. But more than the financial strain, it’s the constant anxiety that’s made the house feel more like a nightmare than a dream.

“I’m 42. I’ve worked my whole life to buy my first home. And I’m too scared to sleep in it,” she said. “My kids can’t even enjoy it.”

Amber now believes that only tearing up parts of the foundation will reveal the extent of the problem. And while she doesn’t know whether the previous owners were aware of the issue, she can’t help but feel misled.

As the snake sightings continue, so do the sleepless nights — and the worry that her family might never feel safe inside the home they hoped to grow roots in.