Yes, snakes can get into Australian apartments, even several floors up, though it's less common in high-rise CBD buildings than near bushland or water. They often enter through open doors/windows or gaps, seeking shelter, food (rodents), or warmth, with pythons and venomous brown or tiger snakes sometimes making appearances, so keeping gaps sealed and doors shut is key to prevention, notes Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers and ABC News.
Snakes are often attracted to yards and houses, when food and shelter are unknowingly provided by the human inhabitants. Brown snakes and taipans eat rodents and are attracted to garden or farm sheds to hunt rats and mice. Pythons regularly enter chicken pens and aviaries to prey on the occupants.
Georgia DNR Biologist Daniel Sollenberger said it's not uncommon for snakes to get into homes. “Being small, means they can get in small cracks at times and sometimes wind up in houses and garages,” he said. “Snakes can get into some small spaces but they are not magicians.”
Snakes are cold blooded and as such in the southern parts of Australia it is less likely you will come across them in the cooler months however once the days start to warm up, they are often out and about seeking somewhere warm to heat up, looking for mates or feeding.
Local councils and state wildlife services provide region-specific guidance and snake removal services. Summary: Tasmania's cities (Hobart, Launceston) have the lowest snake presence among Australian cities; Canberra and inner-city Adelaide also tend to have fewer snakes than northern and coastal Queensland/NSW cities.
As citrus is acidic, it is a smell that snakes hate a lot. You can use citrus as an air freshener around your home, placing a few slices of lemon or limes around. Some people have found that using a lemon or lime cleaner on their door and window frames can help to deter snakes from the home.
Brown snakes hunt by actively looking for prey and searching in likely hiding places. They have good eyesight and once prey is detected they will give chase and subdue the prey using both venom and constriction.
When is snake season in Australia? Snake season usually runs from September to April, though the timing depends on where you live. In northern regions, snakes may start moving as early as August, while southern states tend to see more activity closer to November.
Climbing Ability
They can ascend walls, furniture, or curtains to reach elevated spots, including beds. Smooth surfaces such as polished tiles make climbing more difficult, but textured walls or clutter make it easier.
If you discover a snake, do not approach it closely. If you step on a snake or are very close to a Puff adder then move away quickly. If the snake is only about a meter away, freeze at first and see the snakes reaction - it will likely look for an escape route. If it is cornered, back away slowly.
If you find shredded skin in your house, there is a high chance of a snake around. Shredded skin is a dark and scaly sheet of skin, so keep looking for such signs in small areas, corners, or the wall of your home.
“To get a snake out of your house if you can't find it, seal off rooms, remove food sources, set safe lures like damp towels, and call professionals if needed.” Few things rattle homeowners faster than realizing a snake has slipped into the house, especially when it's gone into stealth mode and you can't find it.
A study performed by Tilbury highlighted the fact that 94% of the snake bites occurred inside human dwellings, and 81% of these while the victim was asleep. Similar observations were made by other authors. Blaylock has shown that multiple bites are more likely in sleeping patients.
Common signs you have snakes in your home
The mongoose are animals that kill snakes. They have a natural resistance to snake venom. The mongoose can take on deadly cobras and other venomous snakes, biting the snake and quickly killing it before enjoying the meal. Other wild animals, like birds of prey, rely on their quick reflexes to avoid snake bites.
Simply put, not usually. When snakes hatch or are born (some give live birth), they immediately disperse and become independent snakes.
Whilst unlikely, these slippery reptiles can find their way into your home easier than you think. You may not even realise they are there most of the time, but if you do come face to face with a snake in your home, the first thing to do is get yourself, pets and children a safe distance away.
Despite popular belief, snakes do not actively hunt or chase humans. Most species prefer to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary conflict, so they will usually retreat if given space.
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is small, but its unpredictability, aggressive temper, and lethal venom potency make it very dangerous. This species is one of the fastest striking snakes in the world, and mortality rates for those bitten are very high.