By JESSE GRAHAM
SUMMER is the season for slithery invaders to visit bushy backyards and an expert has offered some advice to reduce the chance of residents being bitten by snakes.
Chum Creek resident Kath Holton had planned on moving some pot plants to mow her front lawn at around 11.30am on Sunday 2 November.
She received a shock after moving one of the plants and noticing a metre-long tiger snake curled up on her lawn, just 15 centimetres from her hands.
Ms Holton said she tried to ward off the snake by giving it a fright with a long rake and a lawn mower, but the snake would slither back and attempted to bite both of the tools.
The snake was eventually pushed far from the house and Ms Holton said she would clean up around her house to stop herself from being caught unawares again.
Healesville Sanctuary’s senior reptile keeper Mike Swan said snakes were significantly more active in the months between September and April.
While he encouraged any residents living near bushy areas to clean their properties to reduce the chance of snakes in the vicinity, he said it was almost impossible to completely snake-proof a property.
“You could build a smooth wall a couple of metres tall, without any holes or cracks, but that’s just not practical,” he said.
“The idea is to deter – you shouldn’t let rubbish build up, keep things clean and tidy and don’t encourage rodents, as that will attract snakes.”
Mr Swan said it’s important for people to keep an eye on the ground when walking in bushy areas and to not touch a snake if encountering one.
“Treat all snakes you encounter with caution – move back away from it and don’t attempt to kill it,” he said.
“The best thing to do is to call a licensed snake removalist – someone who’s experienced with these kinds of things.”
The seven species of snakes found around Victoria are the Mainland Tiger snake, Eastern Brown snake, Red-bellied Black snake, Copperhead, the White-lipped snake, Small-eyed snake and Little Whip snake.
“All snakes that occur around Melbourne are venomous to greater and lesser degrees,” Mr Swan said.
“But there are no degrees of deadness – if you’re bitten by a snake, call an ambulance.”
