Living with snakes
- Backyards
- Homes
- Timber piles and compost
- Nurseries and aviaries
- Gardening and yard work
- The outdoors
Backyards
Make your backyard a snake-safe environment.
This is an example of a snake-safe yard. Notice that there are no gardens or shelter close to the house, the lawn is well maintained, and gardens away from the house are well trimmed with minimal ground cover.
A snake-safe yard and home. Copyright: EPA
Homes
Stop snakes entering your home by screening doors and windows, and blocking all potential entry points.
If a snake finds its way into your home, close your internal doors, open your external doors and give the snake a chance to leave of its own accord.
An uninvited visitor. Copyright: EPA
Never interfere with snakes. They will defend themselves. A high proportion of snakebites have resulted from people trying to handle, interfere with or kill snakes.
If you are concerned, telephone your local QPWS office for advice or the department Hotline on 1300 130 372.
Timber piles and compost
Always ensure that timber piles are neatly stacked to prevent creating shelter for rodents and snakes. Tidy up your yard during the colder months when snakes are less active.
Place food scraps in closed compost bins to make sure that rodents aren't attracted to your home.
Nurseries and aviaries
Keep your nursery and greenhouse tidy. The warm environment can attract snakes.
Notice that this nursery has elevated trays to ensure visibility, and a clean and tidy working environment.
A raised nursery - nowhere for a snake to hide.
Copyright: DERM
Rats and birds attract snakes. Make your bird aviaries rat- and snake-proof. Talk to your pet shop about ways to prevent snakes entering aviaries. Store bird seed in rodent-proof containers.
Gardening and yard work
When gardening, wear gloves, long pants and covered shoes to protect yourself.
Always wear gloves and long, protective clothing while gardening. Copyright: DERM
Always lift objects so that they face away from you. This reduces the likelihood of putting yourself in a dangerous situation if a snake is sheltering underneath.
The safe way to lift a sheet of roofing iron.
Copyright: DERM
The outdoors
When hiking,
- always stay on formed paths or tracks so that you can see and avoid snakes,
- always wear protective clothing such as covered shoes and trousers, and
- carry a torch at night so that you can see where you are going.
Last updated: 29 October 2007