Published on Friday, 9 June 2023 at 7:52:01 AM
There has been an increase in the number of snake sightings throughout the Shire as snake start looking for a safe place to semi-hibernate as winter approaches.
Because snakes require a stable temperature to regulate their bodies, snakes spend the winter underground to keep their bodies at around 25 degrees.
When the weather is colder, snakes will burrow in the ground or sleep under a log and emerge only to eat, drink or metabolise.
To help in avoiding snakes coming to your property, here are some things you can do to make your house, garden and the back shed less snake-friendly:
- Clean up any leaf litter, piles of logs, bricks, rocks, tin or other “hiding places” around your yard which can be attractive hiding places for snakes. If you can’t remove them entirely, place what you can up off the ground on concrete blocks or racks.
- Keep your lawn and any immediately surrounding grassy paddocks around it cut as short as possible. Snakes dislike areas that are devoid of adequate cover.
- Trim tree limbs, bushes, shrubs neatly. Low-hanging growth provides natural snake climbing and hiding opportunities.
- Check for any holes around your house such as roofs, underneath the house, garages etc. Block any holes you might find.
- Make it a habit to discard any clippings or mulch away from your property as this makes a comfortable home for snakes to rest in.
- Protect your chickens or other birds by ensuring their aviaries or pens are secure. Keeping these areas tidy will also detract snakes from entering.
- Eliminate any food sources that might attract mice, therefore attracting snakes. Clean up uneaten seeds under bird feeders daily. Keep tight lids on the garbage bins outside. Feed your pets indoors. If that’s not possible, feed them outside once each day and bring food and water dishes in as soon as they have finished. Seal pet foods and bird seed mixes in hard plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids to avoid attracting rodents.
- Pest control is also important to maintain throughout the year to stay on top of any new critters.
- Remove outdoor water sources to deprive snakes of necessary moisture. Eliminate pooling water. Fix leaky taps and hoses. Avoid overwatering lawn and gardens. Moist environments are highly attractive to insects, frogs and rodents. This further invites the presence of snakes.
If you see a snake in your yard do not approach it or try to remove it yourself, the highest number of people are bitten by snakes when they try to remove a snake themselves.
Rather keep a safe distance away from the snake, if possible, photograph the snake, keep an eye on its location and call a snake catcher.
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