Snake Removal in Boulder: How We Extracted a Venomous Costa Rican Pit Viper at CU Boulder

Spring break trips to Costa Rica are supposed to bring back great memories and souvenirs. They are not supposed to bring back venomous reptiles. But last week, that is exactly what happened when a University of Colorado Boulder student returned to her sorority house and discovered a terrifying stowaway in her luggage.

When she realized there was a snake hidden among her belongings, she did exactly the right thing: she kept her distance and called in the professionals. Best Pest & Wildlife Control was quickly dispatched to the scene in Boulder to handle the emergency.

Our wildlife control technician, Bryce Bauman, arrived expecting a standard local snake removal call. However, it quickly became apparent that this situation was anything but standard.

“In my six or seven years of doing this, I have never had to deal with a venomous snake from another country,” Bauman noted after assessing the situation.

Weighing in at a mere 18 grams, the tiny but highly dangerous snake was identified as a venomous pit viper native to Central America. Handling exotic, venomous wildlife requires intense focus, specialized training, and a calm demeanor. Bryce safely and humanely extracted the pit viper from the student’s room, ensuring that absolutely no one was injured during the tense process.

Because the snake is not native to Colorado, safely releasing it back into the local environment was not an option. We worked quickly to ensure the exotic animal was transferred to proper authorities. We are thrilled to report that the pit viper is now safely housed in its new, permanent home at the Denver Zoo.

What to Do If You Find Unexpected Wildlife in Your Home

While finding a Costa Rican pit viper inside your suitcase is a one in a million scenario, encountering local wildlife inside your home, garage, or attic is incredibly common in Colorado. Whether you cross paths with a native snake, raccoons and rats in the attic, or bats on the roof and fascia, our advice to homeowners remains the same:

• Do not approach or attempt to handle the animal: Even small or seemingly harmless animals can bite or scratch when they feel threatened.
• Secure the area: If possible, safely close the door to the room to contain the animal in one specific area while you wait for help.
• Call the experts immediately: Professional wildlife technicians have the protective gear and experience to remove the animal without putting your family at risk.

At Best Pest & Wildlife Control, we specialize in humane extraction, structural wildlife exclusion, and attic repair for all types of wildlife intrusions. We do not just remove the animal. We seal up the entry points so they cannot get back in.

If you find yourself dealing with uninvited guests of the wildlife variety, whether they are from your backyard or an international flight, call the local experts at Best Pest & Wildlife Control today for fast, professional service.