What can you do to help lessen the chances of encountering a snake on your property?

What can you do to help lessen the chances of encountering a snake on your property?
And what can you do to protect yourself if you do?

Snake season is upon us again. This is the time of year when snakes are most active, as some innocent people have sadly found out the hard way.  A number of people have recently reported being bitten by a snake, with at least one of these bites resulting in death.

Snakes tend to go where the food is. Brown snakes and taipans eat rodents and will head for shed and garden areas to hunt. Pythons regularly enter chicken pens and bird aviaries. They can also be found in roof cavities looking for rats and possums.  Common tree snakes tend to hunt for frogs during the day, around the house and garden areas where frogs live. 

Help avoid creating habitat for snakes by keeping your property tidy. Stoney areas can be very comfortable places to sunbake, if you have scales. Try to keep any holes between rocks and stones filled so that mice and frogs can’t hide in them, reducing the snakes food source. Keep chicken coops and bird aviaries clean and tidy, check regularly for any holes being made by mice. Make sure the mesh is small enough to keep out snakes.

Blocking off potential access points for snakes can help reduce their chances of getting in. Block any holes around your home, including those between the roof and the ceiling. 

If a snake does get into your home, contact a commercial snake catcher to remove it. Snakes can be removed and relocated by snake catchers authorised under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld).

For when you’re out hiking, working or recreating, Snake Gaitors can protect you from Snake bites.

To find out more call us on 07 3277 5388 or email sales@fsme.com.au