Greencross Vets 
There’s a snake in the house
Sometimes, snakes venture indoors for warmth and shelter. If you do come across a snake in the house, don’t panic. Follow these simple steps instead.
What to do
- keep children, pets, and other family members away from the area
- ensure you keep watch of the snake, as it could easily move to hard-to-find places
- call a licensed snake catcher
Once you’ve followed these steps, sit tight and keep an eye on the snake until the snake catcher arrives. This way, you can easily inform the professional where the snake is hiding.
Dr Josh Llinas of Greencross Vets Jindalee. says, ‘It’s illegal to kill snakes or catch them yourself. You will need to get someone to catch and release it for you.’
Although snakes are more active during the warmer months, they may sneak into your home at any time.
‘It can happen all year round,’ says Dr Josh. ‘In Winter, snakes look for heat, and before summer they will be in their breeding season’.
Snakes are something that should be avoided, and your pets should be kept away from snakes, regardless of whether they are venomous or not.
‘As soon as you see a snake, put your pets in another room,’ says Dr Josh. ‘That’s my first
To help prevent snakes from getting inside your home, Dr Josh suggests the following:
- keep windows and doors closed
- be careful about pet doors as snakes can enter through them
- clear clutter from garages and backyards, such as wood or scrap metal, as this makes great shelter for snakes
- minimise feeding opportunities – clean up food from pets like birds or guinea pigs that could attract other birds or rodents (these animals are food for snakes)
- ensure birds and small animals like rabbits are in fine-mesh enclosures, as snakes can slither through small openings
If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake, take them to the vet immediately.
‘It’s best to get them in so we can test them and see what snake they’ve been bitten by,’ says Dr Josh. ‘There’s also the risk of infection, even if the snake is not venomous.’
If you’re worried about your pet and snakes, ask your local Greencross Vets for more information.
