Escaped Corn Snake

Question
Hi, I'm kind of freaking out right now...
I came home today after being at my cottage for 4 nights, and found my corn snake missing. I have checked in lots of places, although I am not feeling to mobile/active considering I suffered from heat stroke on Sunday. My corn snake is 3 years old and 5 feet long, I have checked everywhere I can think of, left out a thawed rat in a box with holes, sprinkled flour around some water dishes scattered around my house and in the doorways. Do you have any suggestions on finding him or laying 'traps'? Do you think there is a high chance of him being in the basement, considering it is quite cool, in the toilet[I'm certainly hoping not, or there is a minimal chance of him still being alive], or escaped from the house[We close all the windows and lock the doors before we go to the cottage]? I'm really worried about him!

Answer
I doubt he's dead, but it's also unlikely you'll find him.  Corn's are EXCELLENT escape artists.  Look under the fridge, stove, inside closets, etc.  Keep trying the rat trick, that has the best chance of working.  Check the box/set the "trap" one hour before sunset and leave it until about 2 hrs afterwards.  That's when I've had the best luck w/ corns.  Good Luck!