Important: Snake Safety in Our Community

Published on 21 April 2026

Snakes seek:

Shelter (long grass, debris, rock walls, woodpiles)
Food (rodents, birds, frogs, and lizards are attracted to pet food, compost, or water)
Warmth or cool, damp spots

Reducing these makes your yard less appealing without harming wildlife.

Effective Habitat Modification (Most Reliable Methods)

These steps, backed by QLD government advice and experienced snake catchers, focus on making your property less hospitable:

Keep grass and vegetation low — Mow lawns regularly and keep them short. Trim shrubs and garden beds so the lowest branches are at least 1 metre off the ground. Avoid dense ground cover or creeping plants near the house.
Remove clutter and hiding spots — Clear piles of wood, bricks, garden debris, leaf litter, corrugated iron, pipes, or rubbish. Store items neatly off the ground or in sealed sheds. Fill gaps in rock retaining walls with concrete or similar material.
Manage water sources — Eliminate standing water, fix leaks, and avoid overwatering. Snakes (and their prey) are drawn to damp areas.
Control rodents and other prey — Secure rubbish bins, compost, and pet food. Avoid leaving birdseed scattered (it attracts mice/rats). Keep chook pens or aviaries clean and rodent-proof with fine mesh.
Seal entry points to buildings — Install or repair flyscreens on doors and windows. Use weather-stripping or caulk to block gaps under doors, around pipes, vents, and foundations. Trim tree branches overhanging roofs to prevent access for climbers (e.g., pythons).
Position garden beds wisely — Keep them away from the house exterior to reduce direct access.

A tidy, open yard with short grass is the gold standard for reducing snake encounters.

What Doesn't Work Well (Avoid Wasting Money)

Many commercial or home remedies lack evidence and are considered ineffective by snake catchers and experts:

Solar-powered ultrasonic/vibrating repellers — Snakes do not reliably respond to vibrations or sounds.
Chemical sprays, essential oils (e.g., clove, cinnamon, garlic, peppermint), sulphur, or naphthalene — These have little to no consistent deterrent effect and can be environmentally harmful.
"Snake-proof" fencing or mesh barriers — Partial success in some setups (e.g., fine mesh buried in an L-shape), but not foolproof on a full rural property.

Focus on habitat changes instead of gadgets.

What to Do If You See a Snake

Stay calm and give it space — Most snakes prefer to retreat. Back away slowly without sudden movements. Never approach, handle, or try to kill a snake (this is illegal and the leading cause of bites).
Inside the home — Close internal doors to confine it to one room. Open external doors/windows and give it time to leave on its own. Keep pets and children away.
Supervise pets and children — Keep them indoors or under close watch in snake-prone areas. Dogs and cats can provoke snakes.

! Do not attempt removal yourself — Report the sighting to Council so that we can keep the community informed about the risks.

Snake Bite Prevention and First Aid

Wear enclosed shoes and long pants when gardening or walking in long grass/bush.
Never put hands into unseen areas (under rocks, logs, or debris).
Learn pressure immobilisation bandaging (PIB) for bites — Treat all bites as potentially serious.
Call 000 immediately and stay still.