Help & Advice I've found an animal in my house Have you found a frog in your front room, a lizard in your larder or a snake in your sunroom? As the weather gets warmer, our resident amphibians and reptiles come out of dormancy and start to get active again. This mean they can sometimes turn up in unexpected places including our homes. A first step to finding a solution is to identify the animal. Check if it is a native species using our species information pages. We’ve also got information on non-native species that have become established in the UK. Check out our advice on why amphibians and reptiles end up in houses, and what to do about it below. Note: If the animal doesn’t look like any of these then it may be a non-native species that’s either a lost pet or a stowaway for which we suggest a different procedure, follow our guide. Jump to: Toads | Frogs | Newts | Lizards | Snakes | How to help Toads We often get enquiries about toads in people’s homes. On almost every occasion, this is a common toad that has either been brought in by a pet or has crawled in of its own accord. Common toads are widespread throughout the UK and although they have declined substantially, high numbers are still found in some areas. Around breeding season in early spring, these toads travel long distances in large numbers to reach bodies of water in order to spawn. It is at this time we tend to get a lot of calls about stray toads in houses. If the toad is a natterjack toad (see species information page) to identify) this species is strictly protected by law and should be reported either on our Garden Dragon Watch or straight to our Record Pool once being returned to a safe place outside. Although it is normally illegal to capture natterjacks, the law allows people to rescue animals considered “disabled”, which may apply to those finding their way into houses. What should I do? Although they are harmless, common toads have a couple of defensive mechanisms that you should be aware of. Firstly, they will puff up in order to appear more threatening and stand upright on their legs. However, this stance is just a display and common toads’ primary defence is the toxins it secretes from the warty skin behind its head. This secretion is foul tasting and is enough to deter many predators and house pets. As a precaution, shut pets out of the room and supervise children. Toads and other amphibians have delicate skin. They use this skin for gaseous exchange – in other words, they almost “breathe” through their skin. Please avoid picking up an amphibian with your bare hands. Handling these animals requires care and you can accidentally harm them, for example by restraining them too firmly. If you need to handle them, use disposable vinyl gloves that you have wetted with water. You can help the toad exit your house by closing doors to other rooms, and leaving the outside door open. Then either leave the toad to exit of its own accord, or gently encourage it to move by walking slowly towards it. If the toad hides, you may need to wait for it to re-appear. Sometimes toads hide in tight and/or dark spaces, such as underneath appliances. In this case you may need to spend a while carefully searching for it. If it’s actually trapped, e.g. in a cellar, then it will need rescuing. Failing encouraging the toad to leave, preferably pick up the animal using gloves and a Tupperware box or something similar, gently place the lid on top (but do not seal as there will be no air flow) and carry it outside. Find somewhere sheltered by vegetation, or with natural shelter like rocks or a log pile and release the animal there. While the animal may be stunned or not moving, this is most likely a stress response and it should crawl to safety shortly. Back to top Frogs Common frogs are frequent visitors to gardens with ponds, and often these guests are more than welcome. The problem crops up when these frogs then come inside! Similar to toads, the most common reason frogs have ended up in houses is that they’ve been carried in by a pet. Frogs are unlikely to intentionally hop into a house. What should I do? Frogs and other amphibians have delicate skin. They use this skin for gaseous exchange – in other words, they almost “breathe” through their skin. Please avoid picking up an amphibian with your bare hands. Handling these animals requires care and you can accidentally harm them, for example by restraining them too firmly. If you need to handle them, use disposable vinyl gloves that you have wetted with water. As a precaution, shut pets out of the room and supervise children. You can help it exit your house by closing doors to other rooms, and leaving the outside door open. Then either leave the frog to exit of its own accord, or gently encourage it to move by walking slowly towards it. If the frog hides, you may need to wait for it to re-appear. Sometimes frogs hide in tight and/or dark spaces, such as underneath appliances. In this case you may need to spend a while carefully searching for it. If it’s actually trapped, e.g. in a cellar, then it will need rescuing. Preferably, pick up the animal using gloves and a Tupperware box or something similar, gently place the lid on top (but do not seal as there will be no air flow) and carry it outside. Find somewhere sheltered by vegetation, or with natural shelter like rocks or a log pile, or nearby a garden pond if you have one and release the animal there. Do not release directly into a pond as there is a risk of the animal drowning. While the animal may be stunned or not moving when first released, this is most likely a stress response and it should hop to safety shortly. Back to top Newts Newts can end up in houses if they’re disoriented or injured, or after being picked up by a cat or dog, or because they may disperse to find sheltering places when away from breeding ponds. Most likely the newt is a smooth newt or palmate newt, as these are the two more common species. If the newt is a great crested newt (see species information page) to identify) this species is strictly protected by law and should be reported either on our Garden Dragon Watch or straight to our Record Pool once being returned to a safe place outside. Although it is normally illegal to capture great crested newts, the law allows people to rescue animals considered “disabled”, which may apply to those finding their way into houses. What should I do? Newts and other amphibians have delicate skin. They use this skin for gaseous exchange – in other words, they almost “breathe” through their skin. Please avoid picking up an amphibian with your bare hands. Handling these animals requires care and you can accidentally harm them, for example by restraining them too firmly. If you need to handle them, use disposable vinyl gloves that you have wetted with water. As a precaution, shut pets out of the room and supervise children. Sometimes amphibians hide in tight and/or dark spaces, such as underneath appliances. In this case you may need to spend a while carefully searching for it. If it’s actually trapped, e.g. in a cellar, then it will need rescuing. Preferably, pick up the animal using gloves and a Tupperware box or something similar, gently place the lid on top (but do not seal as there will be no air flow) and carry it outside. Find somewhere sheltered by vegetation, or with natural shelter like rocks or a log pile and release the animal there. A good idea is to release the newt by a pond, but not in a pond. Newts are terrestrial for a large portion of the year but do remain close to bodies of water. While the animal may be stunned or not moving, this is most likely a stress response and it should crawl to safety shortly. Back to top Lizards There are two species of lizard that are often seen in gardens, common lizards and slow-worms (legless lizards that can sometimes be mistaken for snakes). Slow-worms in particular are common in gardens during the warmer months. Slow-worms and common lizards may enter houses during their search for food, mates or shelter. They may also be brought inside by cats. What should I do? Our native species of lizard pose no harm to people or pets, as they are shy they are more likely to hide or run than be aggressive. Our lizards also have a defensive mechanism of dropping their tails, so please do not be alarmed if this happens. The animal will be perfectly fine and will regrow its tail in time, it is not injured or in need of medical attention. As a precaution, shut pets out of the room and supervise children. You can help the lizard exit your house by closing doors to other rooms, and leaving the outside door open. Then either leave the lizard to exit of its own accord, or gently encourage it to move by walking slowly towards it. If the lizard hides, you may need to wait for it to re-appear. Sometimes lizards hide in tight and/or dark spaces, such as underneath appliances. In this case you may need to spend a while carefully searching for it. If it’s actually trapped, e.g. in a cellar, then it will need rescuing. If you’re able to, pick up the animal in a Tupperware box or something similar, gently place the lid on top (but do not seal as there will be no air flow) and carry it outside. Find somewhere sheltered by vegetation, or with natural shelter like rocks or a log pile and release the animal there. While the animal may be stunned or not moving, this is most likely a stress response and it should crawl to safety shortly. Back to top Snakes While snakes are a rare treasure to spot in the wild, sometimes finding them indoors where they aren’t supposed to be can be alarming. Luckily, there is a very low chance of harm to pets or people. Often, slow-worms (legless lizards) are mistaken for snakes, so be sure to check that you are dealing with a snake before deciding what action to take. It is very important to identify the snake you are dealing with. Even on the very rare occasion that the snake is venomous, the situation can be handled. None of our native snakes are aggressive, instead preferring to flee from a situation that threatens them. It is only as a last resort that they may bite, just as with any wild animal. Grass snakes Grass snakes are by far the most common species of snake to be found around gardens and homes as they hunt fish and amphibians from garden ponds, particularly in rural areas around the south of the UK. Snakes are more commonly reported in the summer months; this is because of a combination of the activity patterns of both snakes and people. The most likely reason that a grass snake has ended up in a house is that they’re looking for shelter, if they’re disoriented or injured, or if they’re brought in by a pet. What should I do? Although harmless grass snakes have a couple of defensive mechanisms in order to avoid predation that they may display if threatened. They can produce a foul-smelling (often described as garlicky) odour to deter any attackers, and they will also play dead. These are again nothing to be worried about, the animal is not injured but it is stressed and needs to be let outside and left alone. As a precaution, shut pets out of the room and supervise children. If you are not confident to deal with the situation yourself, ask a friend or contact an organisation such as the RSPCA. The snake will normally either hide under furniture, or try to leave immediately. You can help it exit your house by closing doors to other rooms, and leaving the outside door open. Then either leave the snake to exit of its own accord, or gently encourage it to move by walking slowly towards it. If you are entirely confident that it is a harmless snake, you could encourage it to enter a large container such as a cardboard box held flush with the floor. Then release it in a safe place outside; we suggest the bottom of your garden or the nearest wildlife area (do not transport the snake far as it will become disorientated). If the snake hides, you may need to wait an hour or two for it to re-appear. Sometimes snakes hide in tight and/or dark spaces, such as underneath appliances. In this case you may need to spend a while carefully searching for it. If it’s actually trapped, e.g. in a cellar, then it will need rescuing. Snakes will normally exit garages of their own accord if you leave the door open. If snakes repeatedly enter the house or garage (which is unusual), remove possible shelter objects and keep vegetation very short, especially close to the doors. Back to top Adders Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake. Luckily, they are easily identifiable by the black or brown zigzag running down their backs, and their red eyes. Adders are very unlikely to end up in houses, as they rarely go into gardens. When a garden is right next to a nature reserve or large area of land supporting adder habitats, especially heathland, then there is slightly higher chance of adders entering houses – though this is still very rare. Adders usually only end up in houses by accident when they’re looking for shelter, if they’re disoriented or injured, or if they’re brought in by a pet. Generally speaking, sightings tend to be restricted to either (a) properties adjoining particular nature reserves, or (b) certain areas of the country with large expanses of excellent adder habitat, such as parts of south-west Scotland, coastal southern Wales, the North York Moors, and coastal Devon and Cornwall. What should I do? Adders are very shy creatures, they are more likely to attempt to escape than bite. While the chance of being bitten is low, it is still worth moving people and pets to a room away from the adder and closing the door. Following this, seek expert help. This may be from a specialist, wildlife organisation with local staff or volunteers, or the local RSPCA shelter. Many pest removal services do not handle adder calls as native species of snakes are protected by law. ARC cannot normally assist directly with these calls. Visit our guidance page for facts and advice on adder bites. Back to top What else can I do to help amphibians and reptiles? Aside from managing your garden to help these animals, you could: Become an ARC Member. By signing up for as little as £3 per month you will be supporting our work to conserve species. As an ARC Member you’ll get newsletters, entry to special events and all sorts of benefits. Alternatively, you can help by making a donation, buying one of our gifts from our online shop or donating your times as a volunteer. Don't forget to send us your sightings. This helps us to better understand where these animals live and the threats they face. You can easily submit sightings using our online recording tool, the Record Pool. If you’d like to spend more time on a detailed survey, you could join in with our National Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring Programme. Back to top Manage Cookie Preferences