People should be aware that snakes do not come looking for people.

Snakes will only bite when they are surprised or feel threatened.

In general, they are looking for food, water and shelter. They are especially attracted by water in dry weather and/or hiding places in the backyard, often to get away from the heat.

For these reasons it is most important that people do not provide inviting habitats.

There are actions members of the public can take to prevent snakes around the home.

Lawns should be kept short, because snakes will sun bathe at the edges of open areas – short grass means they can see you or your pet approaching and move away into cover.

Take care when moving items which have been resting on the ground- timber and corrugated iron are favourite hiding places.

It is important that all rubbish in the yard and around buildings be cleaned up and that firewood is kept as far away from the house as possible.

Fill in or block any holes that might make a good home for a snake, and store any grain/feed in containers – by reducing mice, you reduce snakes.

Most Australian snakes eat reptiles, especially skinks, frogs and smaller snakes, so if you have a garden pond, expect to have a snake visit sooner or later.

For your safety you should remain alert during the warmer weather and wear shoes or boots, jeans or thick leg clothing when outside as protection.

Even on warm evenings snakes have been observed ‘sleeping’ on warm concrete patios.

If you do see a snake, leave it alone.

Move children and dogs indoors.

Most snake bites occur when someone tries to either remove or kill the snake.

Brown snakes particularly are movement hunters, therefore they will respond aggressively to movement.

 If you confront a snake don’t move, let it move away.

Currently in the vast Southern Tablelands branch area of WIRES, we only have four volunteers trained as snake handlers, two of whom are in Goulburn.

Only volunteers who are trained are permitted to attend to snake calls, so the more members of the public can do to deter snakes on their property, the better.

A WIRES snake handler should be called:

• if the snake is inside a house or other confined space of human habitation;

• if someone is watching the snake and knows exactly where it is and/or can see it;

• if the snake is accessible or not easily accessible but in an area of immediate potential danger to the public, e.g. in any shop environment or public place where it can’t easily escape.

The contacted WIRES person will need to clarify if the caller can’t see the snake, but knows where it went, e.g. the. shed, chicken pen, or aviary and that it cannot escape.

It will need to be confirmed that the area is accessible and that there are not numerous and/or heavy items in the area.

Snake handlers are not ‘shifters and lifters’.

The WIRES contact will also need to establish if there will be someone present to do careful removal of items under the handler’s instructions, while the handler is present to capture.

The handler cannot do both.

WIRES snake handlers cannot assist if the snake is under the house - it is too dangerous.

If the snake is inaccessible but in a known area, the caller will be informed that the structure may need to be dismantled, and that it is their responsibility to put it back together again.

If the property is rented, clearance from owners is needed.

Observing these guidelines should help ensure a safe summer outdoors for members of the public and also for the snakes which are so important to our environment.

WIRES Southern Tablelands offer a 24hr Rescue Service, which can be utilised for any injured or orphaned animal.

Contact them on 4822 3888.