A snake catcher is warning of increased snake activity in South Australian towns and cities over summer after removing several dangerous reptiles from Adelaide’s CBD.
Adelaide’s Ian Renton said good spring rains had boosted food sources for mice, and while callout numbers were about average so far, they had the potential to increase.
Mr Renton said he had removed snakes from homes and businesses right across Adelaide, including the CBD.
“We’ve taken them out of Wyatt Street, out of Frome Road, Pulteney Street, both red-belly black snakes and brown snakes,” he said.
“People leave their doors open or snakes come in through pet doors or air conditioning systems.
“Mice go into the roof space and the snakes follow the scent trail, and drop out through light fittings.”
Mr Renton said people needed to take care and use common sense around their properties.
“People need to be aware [and] watch where they’re putting their hands. Don’t put their hands in places where they can’t see,” he said.
“Make sure they’re wearing gloves, good leather gloves, when they’re doing gardening.”
He said SA Ambulance Service had been reporting almost daily calls to treat people for snake bites.
Another snake catcher, Geoff Coombe, said snakes were often more active in spring than in summer, especially when it became hot.
He said it was too early to tell if this summer would be any different from the last.
Mr Coombe said it was up to homeowners to ensure their gardens were kept free of mice and other food sources to keep snakes away.
It has been a late start to snake season in Adelaide due to a particularly wet spring.
One snake bucked the trend in September, however, when it found refuge in a woman’s Ugg boot at Moana, south of Adelaide.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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