The snake species most commonly found in houses varies significantly by geographic location, but generally, the most frequent visitors are those attracted by abundant rodent populations or seeking shelter and warmth.
Garter Snakes: These small, common snakes are generally harmless to humans and are often found in gardens or grassy areas. They thrive near homes because of the abundance of food, such as insects, small amphibians, and rodents.
It is a more common problem than you would imagine. If you live near a stream, fields, or wooded areas, your chances of experiencing this are even greater. Although scary and stressful, most snakes that enter homes are not venomous.
Australia is home to snakes just as much as it is to our people. Frequently snakes are travelling through your yards or properties in search of food, shelter, water or protection from the elements. For more information about the snakes you are likely to come across in Melbourne, click HERE.
1. Eastern and Western brown snakes (Pseudonaja textilis and Pseudonaja nuchalis, respectively) – called the common brown snake and the gwardar respectively, the Eastern and Western brown snakes are among the most widespread snakes throughout much of mainland Australia.
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.
In Australia, snake activity follows distinct patterns in the tropical north and more temperate south . In the north, where temperatures are consistently warm, snakes avoid the harsh heat and are most active during early mornings, night time, and following the wet season (April to June).
If you'd prefer to discourage snakes from coming near your property, consider planting one or more of the following snake-repellent plants:
Spotting a snake
“They usually don't smell like anything unless you pick one up and smell it a lot, you might smell a musky, really nasty smell.” People might see snake skin sheddings around the house if a snake has been there for a while. It is common to see snakes in a home if there is a mice problem.
Where do snakes hide in a house? Snakes often hide in dark, quiet spots like basements, attics, or crawl spaces. They may enter through cracks or gaps in walls.
To lure a snake out, use a combination of heat, moisture, and food, placing a warm, humid hide with a scented mouse bait (like a pinkie) in a ventilated container near its hiding spot, or use gentle vibrations/sound (like a gentle fan or knocking) to encourage movement, but often patience is key as snakes are cautious. For lost pets, setting up a trap with a heat source and food near its suspected location is effective.
As long as a snake can find food, water and shelter, it can stay in your house for months.
When threatened, all snakes have a defensive trick up their (metaphorical) sleeves: They emit musk from their cloacas to deter whatever is messing with them. “It's one of those smells that smells different to different people,” Apodaca says. Some say it has a cucumber or melon-like scent; others say it's fishy.
Snakes can be heard hissing and slithering across the drywall from the interior of the home. Most homeowners have experienced the sound of a mice scratching on the wall or the pitter-patter of feet running and this strange sound of a snake slithering and hissing is very unique compared to that.
The Brown House Snake, true to its name, frequents human dwellings where it feeds largely on rodents and lizards. It is completely harmless and relies on muscle power to constrict its prey. It is widespread in South Africa and very common in suburban gardens.
The snake known as the "silent killer" is the Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), a highly venomous snake from India and South Asia, nicknamed this because its bite often causes little to no pain, delaying recognition while its potent neurotoxic venom causes paralysis, leading to respiratory failure, often as people sleep.
Some snakes may seek out homes because your house can provide warmth in the fall and the ideal coolness in the summer. Snakes might also be attracted to any rodent presence in your home in the cooler months. That said, snakes don't belong in your home.
Snakes are at their most active when it's cool out. They move around most in the early morning and around dusk. Snakes hunt in tall grass, weeds, and other sources of vegetation. Around your home, they'll seek out shady or dark places where they can rest and cool down.
“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 snake's biggest enemies are a diverse group of predators, with the mongoose, honey badger, and various raptors (like eagles, secretary birds) being top contenders due to their speed, fearlessness, and specialized hunting skills; even other snakes, like kingsnakes, prey on them. These predators exploit a snake's vulnerability to swift attacks, often targeting their heads and relying on speed or natural defenses against venom to win confrontations.
Snakes can climb walls due to their unique anatomical features and movement patterns. They have a flexible body structure that allows them to grip and maneuver on various surfaces. Snakes can climb rough or textured walls like brick walls, stone walls, stucco, or wood siding.
Strong smells like cinnamon, clove, vinegar, garlic, onion, and peppermint can deter snakes by overwhelming their sensitive sense of smell, though no scent offers foolproof protection, so combining scents with habitat modification (like removing hiding spots) is best for keeping them away. Oils of clove and cinnamon, mixed with water and sprayed, or crushed garlic and onion with salt, are common deterrents, as are strong plants like lemongrass and marigolds.
“You can tell if a snake is around by looking for tracks, shed skins, musky odors or droppings, fewer rodents or frogs, and unusual noises or movement.” Snakes are masters of disguise, blending into tall grass, brush piles, and hidden corners around your property.
Any commercially available cinnamon oil, clove oil or eugenol with 95 percent or greater purity are acceptable for use in brown treesnake repellent mixtures. Spray the mixture directly on the snake, aiming for its head. Direct contact with the snake will trigger escape behavior.
The eastern brown snake is one of Australia's most dangerous snakes. Found primarily in New South Wales, it causes more deaths than any other snake in the country. Its venom is very potent, making it a big worry for Australians.