If you live in the suburbs, you might not think that snakes are a very likely pest to find around your home. However, as people have colonised areas that were previously wild habitat, some species of snakes have evolved to enjoy an urban lifestyle and to capitalise on the opportunities it presents. The Common/Eastern Brown snake falls into this category and is now found right across Australia. So, why is this particular snake so undesirable, and what action can you take to deter it from becoming an unwelcome guest? Read on to find out more.
The Common/Eastern Brown snake
The Common/Eastern Brown snake is highly venomous. The species is frequently found living around homes in urbanised areas all over Australia and is responsible for many snakebite deaths annually.
The Brown snake's natural habitat is forest or heathland, but your garden makes a great alternative. These snakes feed on small rodents, lizards, birds and frogs, all of which can be readily found in your garden, and it's these easy meals that attract the snakes. Many people have garden ponds, or put out water for pets and garden birds during the summer months, both of which provide the snakes with a convenient watering hole too.
Although Common Brown snakes can grow up to 2m in length, they are very well-camouflaged, and most encounters with people occur when the animals are accidentally trodden on or touched.
How to deter Common/Eastern Brown snakes from your property
It's extremely important that you don't try to deal with a snake of any type by yourself. In the first instance, handling any snake is extremely dangerous, even for someone who is professionally trained. Secondly, killing or capturing a snake in Australia is illegal. If you spot a snake in your garden, or in your house, call your local pest control company immediately.
There are a number of actions you can take to deter Brown snakes from inhabiting your garden or your home.
- The first thing you need to do is remove the snake's food source. If there's no easy meal to be had at your place, the snake will move on. If you have a compost heap, turn it over on a regular basis to stop mice and rats setting up home. If you have bird feeders, make sure that you sweep up spilled seed to discourage rodents. Never throw scraps out onto the patio or lawn; put them up high somewhere out of reach of rodents. Put pet water bowls and bird baths up off the ground to make them less accessible to snakes.
- Deter rodents from entering your roof space, and the crawl space under your house or decking by placing rodent bait or traps. Always make sure that these are placed well out of reach of pets or children.
- Your second strategy is to remove handy snake hidey holes. Brown snakes like to hide undercover. By keeping your timber store raised up from the ground and using shelving in garages and carports, you'll remove potential snake bolt holes.
- In the garden, make sure that you keep your lawns cut short, remove tangles of ground-covering vegetation, and prune away low branches from trees and shrubs. This removes more snake hiding places and makes it less likely that you'll encounter one when you're gardening.
- When gardening, always wear thick leather gloves, and never put your hands where you can't see.
- Make sure pathways and porches are well-lit, just in case you encounter a Brown snake soaking up the heat on a warm evening.
In conclusion
It should be stressed that snakes do not actively pursue people with the intention of biting them, and most of the bites that do occur are the result of accidental contact. Follow the tips above to make your home snake unfriendly, and if you do spot a snake, don't approach it. Keep pets and children indoors, and call your local pest controller immediately.
Share