Chris Williams 10/10/23 Chris Williams 10/10/23

What to Do if You Find a Snake at Home:

So you’ve found a snake…

After Spotting a Snake:

Inside your Home: Keep calm and move everyone, including pets, out of that room. Shut the door and slide a towel beneath to prevent the snake from exiting.
Outside: Keep watching the snake from a safe distance. If it slithers away to open areas or woods, it's unlikely to return.
If it hides in your garage or under something you need to stay there and watch it. If the snake can see you it will be unlikely to come out…we want it to stay there till it can be safely removed.
Remember…

Never attempt to touch, capture, or harm the snake. Most bites occur during these actions.
Immediate Actions for a Snakebite:

Keep Calm: Always treat the bite as if it's from a venomous snake.
Stay Still: Movement can speed up venom spreading.
Call for Help: Dial 000 right away.
First Aid: Apply a broad, firm bandage over and around the bite. Extend the bandage as far up the limb as possible. Prepare to perform or receive CPR if needed.

What Should You Do if You Encounter a Snake in Your Home or Yard?

Australia is home to over 200 species of snakes, and as snake expert Dane Trembath explains, many of them are venomous.

"There are over 110 species of elapids throughout Australia, so that's front-fanged venomous snakes," says Mr. Trembath, who is the herpetology collection manager at the Australian Museum Research Institute. He adds that snakes are most active during the warmer months, and while there’s a higher likelihood of encountering them in bushland areas, some snakes "do quite well" in urban environments.

So what should you do if you spot a snake in your home or yard? And how can you discourage them from coming onto your property in the first place?

Hearing Noises? It May Not Be a Snake

If you hear suspicious noises coming from your ceiling, under the floorboards, behind a cupboard, or in a crawl space and think it could be a snake, there's good news and bad news.

The good news is, according to snake catcher Chris Williams from Urban Reptile Removal, it's far more likely to be a possum, lizard, or even a mouse.

The bad news? Not hearing a snake doesn’t mean it’s not there. "Snakes are extremely silent," says Mr. Williams. "There are some species, like tree snakes, that have a concave belly, and you might hear them sliding across the walls or floor. But other than that, they don’t make noise."

Keep Calm and Call an Expert

If you see a snake in your home or garden, it's crucial not to panic.

Mr. Williams recommends staying a safe distance away while keeping an eye on the snake’s movements and immediately calling a professional snake catcher to remove it.

"If the catcher doesn’t know where the snake is and can’t find it, they won’t be able to do much. If possible, get a photo and send it to the catcher—they can help identify the snake or advise you further," he says. "If the snake is in a room where you can’t monitor it, close the door and tuck a towel under it to prevent the snake from escaping."

Know Who to Call

If you live in an area where snakes are common, it’s a good idea to have the contact details of local snake catchers handy. Mr. Williams also suggests checking if your local vets carry snake antivenom, especially if you have pets.

Why You Should Never Handle a Snake Yourself

You should never attempt to move or handle a snake on your own—even if you think it’s harmless.

"There are people who think they’re picking up a carpet python, but it turns out to be an eastern brown or a highly venomous Stephen’s banded snake," says Mr. Williams. "It happens a lot, and people are taking a very, very big risk."

How to Make Your Home Less Appealing to Snakes

One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of snakes on your property is by clearing away any unnecessary debris in your yard.

"Get rid of any rubbish, large bits of tin, broken cars—anything that provides cover, not just for snakes but for the lizards, frogs, and small mammals they eat," says Mr. Trembath.

Chris Williams agrees, adding that snakes are mainly looking for two things: food and shelter. "If you can reduce things lying around your yard—like overgrown palm fronds, big piles of mulch, timber, sleepers, or tin—you'll have a lot less chance of attracting snakes."

He also advises locating garden beds away from the perimeter of your house, keeping your lawns cut short, and using enclosed compost bins to avoid attracting rodents.

Finally, Mr. Williams reminds people to be mindful: "Snakes are a part of life here in Australia, and you just need to be aware of where you put your hands or what you kick in the bushes. Snakes generally want nothing to do with us. If you stay out of their space, bites are very unlikely."