Muskogee DHS Offices Close After Snake Found, Wrong Repellents Used

Muskogee's Department of Human Services offices are closed Wednesday after employees found a snake inside.

Employees felt unsafe with the chemicals used to get rid of the snake.

Building owner Bill Johnson said the Friday before Labor Day, DHS employees heard something moving around in the ceiling.

When they lifted a ceiling tile, he said a snake basically fell on top of them.

Animal control verified it was a King snake, which is non-venomous.

Johnson said employees left for the day and he and his maintenance crews spent the weekend putting snake repellents throughout the office.

Some of the repellent they used was a granule called "Snake-A-Way."

Johnson said they didn't realize at the time the product was only for outdoor use.

He said when employees returned to work and found out what chemicals had been used, they left work again, saying they felt unsafe.

"The building was closed last night due to air quality concerns. The safety of our staff and clients is of utmost priority so we're not going reopen the building until we get a clean air quality report," said Casey White.

Johnson said an air quality specialist will make sure the building is safe on Thursday, and with any luck, employees can come back on Friday.

People that need DHS services in Muskogee while the building is closed down can go to okdhslive.org or visit another county's DHS office.