What Should You Do If You Find a Snake in Your Backyard?

Six Simple Steps To Remember 

1. Stay Calm and Keep Your Distance

First things first. Don’t panic!

Snakes generally prefer to avoid confrontation. If you give them space, many will simply move away on their own.

The worst thing you can do is approach the snake, attempt to corner it or try to chase it out of the garden.

Even a snake that appears completely harmless can become defensive if it feels threatened.

Our advice? Keep well away, avoid sudden movements towards the snake and give it plenty of room to escape.

And please, don’t try to pick it up with a shovel. That’s a particularly bad idea!

2. Get Children and Pets Inside

If you’ve discovered a snake in your backyard, your next priority should be getting children and pets safely away from the area.

Dogs are naturally curious and may attempt to investigate, chase or attack a snake.

Unfortunately, that curiosity can have serious consequences.

Cats aren’t immune either, particularly those that enjoy hunting.

Bring everyone inside, close external doors and keep the backyard clear until the situation has been assessed or the snake has moved away.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately.

3. Don’t Assume You Know What Species It Is

One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming they can identify a snake simply by its colour.

“It’s brown, so it must be a Brown Snake.”

Not necessarily!

The Sunshine Coast is home to numerous snake species, including Eastern Brown Snakes, Coastal Carpet Pythons, Common Tree Snakes and Red-Bellied Black Snakes.

Some species can look surprisingly similar, particularly from a distance.

And colour alone is rarely enough to identify a snake accurately.

If you’re curious about the different species found locally, take a look at our Sunshine Coast Snake Identification Guide.

Just remember, never approach a snake to get a better photograph or attempt to identify it yourself at close range.

4. Keep an Eye on the Snake — From a Safe Distance

Here’s something professional snake catchers wish more people knew.

Knowing where the snake has gone can make a huge difference.

If it’s safe to do so, keep the animal in sight from a suitable distance.

Snakes are exceptionally good at disappearing into garden beds, underneath decks, behind retaining walls and amongst outdoor furniture.

Once they’ve vanished, finding them can become considerably more difficult.

If you need to go inside, don’t risk staying close to the snake just to watch it.

Your safety always comes first.

5. Should You Call a Snake Catcher?

Not every snake spotted in a backyard needs to be relocated.

Sometimes a snake is simply passing through on its way to somewhere else.

However, if the animal is close to your home, has disappeared into an area regularly used by children or pets, or presents a genuine safety concern, professional advice is sensible.

Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 provides professional snake-catching and relocation services throughout the region, including Caloundra, Maroochydore, Buderim, Nambour, Noosa and surrounding suburbs.

Stuart and his team can assess the situation and determine whether relocation is appropriate.

If you’re concerned about a snake on your property, contact Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 for professional assistance.

6. Can You Stop Snakes Coming Into Your Backyard?

Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to make a backyard completely snake-proof.

Living on the Sunshine Coast means sharing our beautiful environment with native wildlife.

However, there are several simple things you can do to make your property less attractive to snakes.

• Keep lawns regularly mowed and garden beds maintained.
• Remove unnecessary clutter, timber piles and garden rubbish.
• Keep pet food and birdseed securely stored to discourage rodents.
• Check for gaps and potential entry points around your home.
• Keep sheds and storage areas tidy.
• Avoid leaving piles of building materials or unused equipment around the yard.

Snakes are often attracted to properties that provide food, shelter and suitable hiding places.

Making these resources less readily available may reduce the likelihood of an unexpected encounter.

What Happens if Someone Is Bitten by a Snake?

If someone is bitten or you suspect a snakebite, call 000 immediately.

Keep the person still and follow emergency first-aid instructions, including applying a pressure immobilisation bandage where appropriate.

Do not wash the bite, attempt to suck out venom or try to capture the snake.

All suspected snakebites in Australia should be treated as medical emergencies, even if symptoms aren’t immediately obvious.

Found a Snake in Your Backyard? We’re Here to Help!

Finding a snake in your backyard can be frightening, particularly when children or pets are nearby.

But remember, most snakes would much rather avoid you than cause trouble.

The important thing is to remain calm, keep your distance and never attempt to catch or kill the animal yourself.

At Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, Stuart McKenzie and his experienced team provide professional snake-catching services throughout the Sunshine Coast, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Whether you’ve discovered a snake underneath the patio, beside the swimming pool or hiding in the garden, we’re here to help.

Need professional advice or snake removal? Call Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7 on 0409 536 000.

Leave the snake catching to the professionals!