We have a no charge professional snake catching service to remove snakes from residential properties within Brimbank.
If you need to access Council’s snake catching service, call 9249 4000.
What to do if you find a snake at home
- Don't touch the snake!
- Watch it from a safe distance.
- Safely remove any people or pets from the area.
- If you can see the snake, call Brimbank City Council on 9249 4000 to arrange for our professional snake catcher to come to your home to remove it.
What happens after you call?
An on call snake catcher will be dispatched. Our aim is to have a snake catcher on hand as quickly as possible.
Arrival times may vary depending on demand and the time of the call.
While you wait, keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance so that it can be captured promptly.
We won't send a snake catcher if:
- The premises is industrial or commercial
- The snake's location is unknown
- The snake was last seen 30 minutes before the call
- The property's resident/occupier isn't home
Snakes on public land
If you see a snake on Council land, for example at your local park, call us on 9249 4000.
Helpful hints to keep your home safe
- Clean up around your house. Keep your grass and lawns cut short.
- Don't leave stacks of timber or sheets of iron lying about. These are ideal temporary habitats.
- Tell your kids that if they see a snake, to stay calm, walk away, and tell an adult straight away.
- Keep grain or pet food storage areas clean and tidy. These attract mice, which are a snake's favoured food.
- Ensure garden rockeries and ferneries are clear and tidy. These are cool places that attract snakes on warm days.
- Avoid walking around your backyard in bare feet.
- Wear leg protection on hot nights and use a torch.
- Tiger snakes in particular become nocturnal in very hot weather and it is then that they are harder to see. Pets, particularly cats, are vulnerable to being bitten at this time.
What to do if you're bitten
- If you're bitten, do not wash the wound.
- Stay calm, and as still, as possible.
- Immediately apply a pressure bandage (or clothing or towels torn into strips) to the bite area.
- Call 000 or have someone drive you to the nearest hospital emergency department for treatment.
Hospitals with anti-venom
Snakes
Our most common snakes are the Brown and Tiger snakes.
The Tiger Snake can be identified by green or black coloured stripes. Tiger snakes are generally frightened of us, and will move away when disturbed.
The Brown Snake can be identified by its silvery to chocolate brown colourings, and has a very small head. Brown snakes can be more aggressive when approached.
If you see a snake on your property, do not attempt to remove it yourself.
Remember! Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It's illegal to capture, kill or harm them.
The service is available seven days a week, including after hours by calling 9249 4000.