Precautions

In the Garden

Snakes don’t like large open spaces where they cannot hide or seek shelter.

• Keep grass short and tidy
• Position garden beds away from the house.
• Lop trees around your house so that the branches are not in contact with the roof.
• Don’t keep pet food outside, as it will attract rodents.
• Rock walls with gaps are a great resting place for snakes.

Compost and timber piles

Snakes love the warmth of a compost pile and the food scraps attract rodents. A timber pile offers snakes many hidey holes they feel safe to sleep in.

• Keep compost in a bin with a lid on.
• Stack timber piles neatly and away from the house.
• The less places for snakes to hide, the better.
• Timber piles offer rodents a safe place giving the snake an easy meal.

Chicken coups, aviaries and guinea pig cages

Sadly we get call outs almost every week from pet owners that have found a python in their aviary, coup or cage with a very large tummy.

• Outside pets are a bit like a buffet for snakes.
• We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to secure your pets cages all over with very small holed chicken wire. Please do not under estimate the amazingly small holes they can squeeze themselves through!
• Guinea pigs and caged birds are best brought inside at night, as even the sight of a python will distress them.

Indoors

• Check all doors and windows for possible holes (snakes can squeeze themselves through very small gaps).
• Block any cracks in walls leading to the outside.
• If you find a snake inside a room, close the door and stuff rolled up towels in the gap underneath so that it can’t escape – call 1300 Catch It.
• Never try to catch one, as they will defend themselves.
• Many households have pythons living in their roof, as long as you don’t have any entry points from there into your house, you need not worry!
• Pythons do a great job in keeping rats and possums out of your roof and they are much quieter.