How We Rid the House of Snakes

(or: The Part Where There Was No Turning Back)

Let’s just say this: We did everything short of burning the place down. Literally.

Once we accepted that the farmhouse had become prime reptile real estate, we realized there was only one way forward—take it apart. All of it.

We had originally hoped to save the pine paneling that lined much of the house. It had character. History. That warm, old farmhouse feel. But with hidden creatures in the walls and ceilings, there was no “gentle renovation” option. Every nook and cranny had to be opened up.

And when I say everything came down, I mean everything.

The house was stripped to the studs. Ceilings removed. Walls opened.

In the kitchen and dining area, it went even deeper. The hardwood floors and subfloors had to be ripped out. And then—because apparently we weren’t done yet—the dirt beneath that had to be dug out.

Why?

Because the floor joists on that side of the house were sitting directly on the ground and had rotted out over time. There simply wasn’t enough clearance under the house. We needed to dig down another foot or so before we could rebuild the structure properly.

It was one of those moments where you pause and think,“ Well… I guess we’re really doing this.”

Today, you would never know. The hardwoods flow seamlessly, blending the newer planks with the original ones that survived. It looks intentional. Clean. Solid.

But back then? It felt like controlled demolition.

Even though we couldn’t save the original pine paneling (it split almost immediately upon removal—apparently it had opinions about leaving), we like to think we’ve carried forward the spirit of the McGuffey’s home. Not as a museum piece, but as a modernized, livable version of the place they built in 1948.

It took a lot of dust. A lot of hauling. And more courage than we probably knew we had.

But one thing was certain: If there were snakes in the walls before, there weren’t anymore.

Want to see what it looked like before—and what it looks like now?

Those pics coming soon.