A 27-year-old woman living in rural Montana has gained a significant online following as she shares her unusual experience of living in a farmhouse plagued by a garter snake infestation. Dubbed “snake season by Callieoverseas” on social media, she is turning her struggle into a fundraising effort aimed at collecting $75,000 to afford a move to a safer living space.
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Callie, who has requested that her surname not be published, describes her initial encounters with the snakes, which began in 2020 when her mother-in-law discovered one in the house. “It came from the entryway in our house,” she recalls, highlighting that her first sighting was not until December of the same year, when she found a small snake on the floor while tending to her infant daughter. “It completely caught me off guard,” she said, noting that this marked the beginning of a troubling period for her family.
As spring approached, the frequency of snake sightings increased dramatically. Callie reported witnessing as many as eight snakes in a single day, emerging from the property’s foundation. The farmhouse, characterised by its cinder block base, seems to have become a literal den for the creatures. “At one point, we saw around four snakes in the living space at the same time,” she shared. In light of the situation, the family has taken measures to seal their front door and close off entryways to prevent further access.
Despite their harmless nature, these snakes have instilled a sense of dread in Callie. “People tell me all the time, ‘Don’t worry about them, they’re harmless,’ but there’s still my irrational fear,” she admitted. She acknowledged the practical side of having so many garter snakes around—as they are known for consuming pests—but her preference is to not have them in her home at all.
Callie has utilised her platform to chronicle her snake saga, attracting the attention of many sympathetic social media users. “We get a lot of comments suggesting we just burn it down and move out,” she noted, adding that while people are often horrified by her ordeal, some have shared their own similar experiences with snake infestations in Montana. “It’s astonishing that so many people have faced similar circumstances, yet it remains quite rare to hear about it,” she explained.
Her husband’s role as a ranchhand means the house is part of his employment package, making relocation more complex. Callie emphasised that the issue is not due to negligence on the part of the homeowners. “We’ve been engaged with a contractor who has visited multiple times. Major renovations are in the works to seal off entry points and enhance the structure,” she said, detailing their plans which include overhauling the foundation and installing new siding.
To combat the ongoing situation, the family has implemented various strategies, from applying snake-repellent powders around the exterior to utilising sticky traps in the kitchen area. Fortunately, the reptiles have not ventured into the bedrooms, which Callie regards as a small blessing given the presence of young children in the home. “I definitely don’t want them getting into the rest of the house,” she expressed.
Critics have questioned her motivations for sharing her story, suggesting it may be manufactured for content creation. However, Callie dismissed these claims as absurd, stating that “it’s tragic and terrifying.” She clarified, “How would anyone simply invent this? I truly wish it weren’t the case.”
As renovations progress, the situation appears to be improving marginally; she has reported seeing fewer snakes in the living areas. Yet, Callie maintains that the experience has tarnished her sense of home. “This infestation has disrupted our peace. I can’t even go into the kitchen without feeling on edge,” she explained.
Despite the trials and uncertainties, Callie remains hopeful about the future. “I’ve set a goal of raising $75,000 through social media for our move,” she said, expressing her desire to eventually own a home without the fear of unwelcome visitors. For now, she is concentrating on renovations, albeit optimistic that these developments will alleviate the issue and restore a sense of comfort to her family life.