Snakes

Residents should be aware of the potential danger of snakes, particularly in the warmer months. Snakes are most active in warm weather and are often found in bushy areas.

How to prepare your home for snake season

The best way to prevent a snake from entering your property is to make your property less attractive to them and reduce the risk of a snake wanting to enter your property.

Here are some tips on what you can do to keep our slithery friends away:

• Keep the vegetation around your property short and mow your grass regularly.
  
  
• Remove debris, woodpiles and rubbish from your yard.
  
  
• Seal any holes around the outside of your home that may look like a safe place for a snake to hide and seal any possible entrances to your house.
  
  
• Keep pests such as rodents under control, as these make for a great meal for a snake.
  
  
• If you have a bird aviary or chicken pen keep them clean and free of rodents and ensure they're secured and that snakes cannot get in.
  
  
• Keep a clearing around your home.
  
  
• Keep your pets safe. They will not deter a snake from entering your property so keep them inside if possible.

What you should do if there is a snake in your yard or house

If you see a snake in your yard or house it is important not to panic. Snakes are generally just passing through and will normally leave within a few hours. If they are left alone, they will not present a threat.

Here are some tips on what to do if you see a snake in your yard:

• Back away to a safe distance and do not approach it. A snake will only attack if it is provoked or feels threatened. Allow the snake time to move away on its own.
  
  
• Bring your pets inside. A pet may become curious if it sees a snake and attempt to attack it.
  
  
• Bring children inside and stay away from the snake until it leaves.
  
  
• Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake.

Here are some tips on what to do if you see a snake inside your house:

• Make sure all people, children and pets are moved into another room in the house.
  
  
• If you can do so safely, isolate the snake in the room it has been found by closing the doors and placing towels at the bottom of the doors so it cannot get out of the room.
  
  
• Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake.

What you should do if you see a snake in a public area

Forbes Shire Council runs a snake catch and release service for snakes found in public spaces during business hours.

Forbes Shire Council has a responsibility to protect members of the public from snakes when they pose a risk in a public space. Its rangers are trained and certified to catch and release snakes in public spaces such as parks, sporting fields, Council buildings, workplaces and other public spaces.

To report a snake in a public area, or request assistance, please contact Forbes Shire Council’s Rangers on 02 6850 2300 during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm).

Please be aware that Council's rangers are only available during business hours.

Forbes Shire Council is committed to ensuring the safety of the community and Council employees when performing its snake catch and release service.

All native snakes in NSW are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

More information about native snakes can be obtained on the NSW Planning, Industry and Environment website or Wildlife Rescue (WIRES) website.