A Complete Sydney Homeowner’s Guide by Shire Snake Wranglers
Finding a snake in your backyard can be one of the most stressful moments for a Sydney homeowner. Whether it’s a large Diamond Python stretched across a retaining wall in Engadine, a Red-Bellied Black Snake near a pond in Menai, or an Eastern Brown Snake moving through long grass in Heathcote, the first reaction is usually panic.
But here’s the reality: most snakes in Australia do not want confrontation. In almost every case, snakes are simply moving through an area searching for food, warmth, shelter, or a mate. The biggest danger usually comes when people try to catch, corner, kill, or interact with the snake themselves.
At Shire Snake Wranglers, we respond to snake callouts across Sydney South and the Northern Illawarra almost every day during snake season. Over the years, we’ve removed snakes from backyards, garages, roof spaces, swimming pools, childcare centres, retirement villages, dog kennels, schools, and even bedrooms.
This guide explains exactly what you should do if you find a snake in your backyard, what mistakes to avoid, how to protect your family and pets, and how to reduce the chances of snakes returning to your property.
🐍 Why Are Snakes Appearing in Sydney Backyards?
Sydney's suburban growth continues to expand into natural bushland habitats. Areas throughout the Sutherland Shire, Illawarra, and southern Sydney border prime snake habitat including creeks, bush reserves, national parks, wetlands, and rock escarpments.
Snakes are commonly attracted to properties because of:
🐀 Rats and mice
🐸 Frogs around ponds
🌿 Thick vegetation
🪵 Wood piles and debris
🐓 Bird aviaries and chicken coops
💧 Water sources
☀️ Warm concrete or roofing
🏚️ Shelter under sheds or retaining walls
Contrary to popular belief, snakes are not chasing people or trying to enter homes aggressively. They are usually seeking food, warmth, or shelter and would prefer to avoid humans entirely.
🧘 First Things First — Stay Calm
The moment you see a snake:
✅ DO:
Keep a safe distance
Bring pets and children inside
Watch where the snake is heading
Stay calm and move slowly
Call a licensed snake catcher
❌ DON’T:
Try to catch it
Attempt to kill it
Spray it with a hose
Throw objects at it
Corner it
Attempt identification up close
Most snake bites in Australia occur when people try to catch or kill snakes.
A defensive snake is a dangerous snake.
🏡 What If the Snake Is Inside Your House?
Indoor snake callouts are more common than most people realise in Sydney.
At Shire Snake Wranglers, we’ve removed snakes from:
🧺 Laundry rooms
🍳 Kitchens
🏠 Roof cavities
🚿 Bathrooms
🛏️ Bedrooms
🛋️ Under couches
🚗 Garages
❄️ Air conditioning units
🚪 Step 1 — Isolate the Snake
If safe to do so:
Close the door to the room
Place a towel under the gap
Keep visual contact if possible
This helps prevent the snake disappearing into wall cavities or inaccessible areas.
👨👩👧 Step 2 — Remove Everyone From the Area
That includes:
Children
Dogs
Cats
Curious neighbours
Pets are frequently bitten because they investigate snakes.
📞 Step 3 — Call a Licensed Snake Catcher
A trained snake catcher has:
🪪 Licences
🧰 Proper equipment
🛡️ Insurance
🐍 Behaviour knowledge
🧠 Experience handling venomous species
In NSW, native snakes are protected wildlife. It is illegal to harm or relocate them without a licence.
🐍 Common Snakes Found in Sydney Backyards
🟤 Eastern Brown Snake
One of Australia’s most medically significant snakes.
Often found:
🌾 In long grass
🐀 Around rat activity
🚧 Along fence lines
☀️ In open sunny areas
Despite their reputation, Eastern Browns usually attempt escape first.
🔴 Red-Bellied Black Snake
Very common throughout the Sutherland Shire and Illawarra.
Often found near:
💧 Water
🚰 Drains
🐸 Ponds
🌿 Wet gardens
🌊 Creeks
Generally defensive rather than aggressive.
🐍 Diamond Python
Non-venomous and protected.
Often found:
🏠 In roof spaces
🐓 Around chicken coops
🐀 Near rats or possums
☀️ On warm roofs and retaining walls
Excellent natural rat control.
🟢 Green Tree Snake
Harmless and often mistaken for venomous species.
Usually seen:
🌳 In trees
🌿 Gardens
🐸 Around frog populations
🧑🔧 What Happens During a Professional Snake Removal?
When attending a callout, a professional snake catcher will:
1. 🔍 Assess the situation
2. 🐍 Identify the species
3. 🧰 Safely contain the snake
4. 🔎 Check surrounding areas
5. 📋 Provide prevention advice
6. 🌿 Relocate the snake legally
At Shire Snake Wranglers, we also explain why the snake may have appeared in the first place.
In NSW, relocation laws require snakes to remain within strict distance guidelines and within their natural habitat range.
🏡 How to Reduce Snakes Around Your Property
No property can be guaranteed snake-free in Australia, especially near bushland. However, you can significantly reduce encounters.
🐀 1. Control Rats and Mice
Snakes follow food.
Pet food left outside
Bird seed spills
Compost attracting pests
Rat activity
🌱 2. Keep Grass Short
Cover reduction
Less hunting space
Reduced hiding areas
🧹 3. Remove Backyard Clutter
Tin sheets
Timber piles
Old toys
Rock piles
Tarps
Building materials
🚪 4. Seal Gaps Around the Home
Door gaps
Garage seals
Weep holes
Vents
Pipe penetrations
🌿 5. Trim Overgrown Gardens
Dense shrubs
Ground cover
Palm debris
Overhanging branches
💧 6. Keep Ponds Clean
Frogs attract snakes.
Remove excess debris
Maintain water flow
Monitor during warmer months
🚫 Do Snake Repellents Actually Work?
Short answer: no.
There is no scientifically proven snake repellent that reliably keeps snakes away.
This includes:
🧂 Granules
🔊 Ultrasonic devices
🟡 Sulphur
⚫ Mothballs
🦉 Fake owl statues
🧴 Spray repellents
The best prevention is habitat control.
🚨 What To Do If Someone Gets Bitten
Snake bites are medical emergencies.
📞 1. Call Triple Zero (000)
Even if symptoms appear mild.
🧍 2. Keep the Person Still
Movement spreads venom faster.
🩹 3. Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage
Firm, full-limb wrapping as per NSW Health guidelines.
❌ 4. DO NOT:
Wash the bite
Cut the wound
Suck venom
Use a tourniquet
Try to catch the snake
📍 Real Snake Callouts We Commonly See in Sydney
At Shire Snake Wranglers:
🏠 Diamond pythons in roof cavities
💧 Red-bellied black snakes near ponds
🧱 Eastern browns around retaining walls
🧸 Juvenile snakes under toys
🚗 Snakes in garages during heatwaves
🐀 Snakes in dog kennels chasing rats
☀️ Snakes on artificial turf
🌧️ Snakes displaced after heavy rain
⚠️ The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make
Trying to handle the snake themselves.
Risks include:
⚡ Fast strike speed
⚠️ Misidentification
🐍 Defensive behaviour
📉 Underestimating danger
Even experienced reptile keepers make mistakes under pressure.
✔️ Best approach:
Keep distance
Observe safely
Call a professional
🌿 Final Thoughts
Finding a snake in your backyard can be frightening, but it does not mean your property is dangerous.
Snakes play an important role in controlling rats and pests across Sydney and surrounding regions.
If you encounter a snake:
🧘 Stay calm
🚶 Keep distance
🐶 Bring pets inside
❌ Do not attempt capture
📞 Call a licensed snake catcher
🐍 Shire Snake Wranglers
Licensed and insured
Venomous and non-venomous expertise
Humane relocation
Sydney South & Northern Illawarra
Follow local sightings and updates via the Sutherland Shire Snake Sightings Facebook page.
Call us immediately! And if possible, try to maintain a visual of the snake - from a safe distance.
Safely attempt to contain the snake to an area of the house or property by closing doors, blocking gaps etc.
If possible, take a photo and/or record a video of the snake and text it to us (for identification purposes).
Most importantly, do not attempt to touch or catch the snake yourself! Please leave this to the professionals.
For urgent removal/callout, please click on the button below:
Alternatively, if you have a general question, or even some feedback, feel free to complete & submit the below form.
Yes, we are fully-licensed with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Licence #MWL000103684
Absolutely not! It is extremely important that you do not attempt to catch the snake yourself. Please leave this to the professionals, to avoid any risk of being bitten and/or seriously injured.
No. Please keep small children and pets away from wherever you saw the snake in your home/property, until it has been safely captured.
If you have been bitten by a venomous snake, it is crucial to take immediate action! Here are some recommendations:
1. Stay Calm: Panicking increases your heart rate, which can cause the venom to spread quicker.
2. Seek Medical Attention: Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive yourself!
3. Keep Bite Area Immobilized: Immobilizing the bitten limb can slow down the spread of venom to other parts of the body.
4. Remove Constrictive Items: Snakebite swelling can progress rapidly, so remove any constrictive items, such as; rings, bracelets, or tight clothing near the bite site.
5. Do Not Apply a Tourniquet: Contrary to popular belief, applying a tourniquet, or restricting blood flow, is not recommended and can cause more harm than good.
6. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water! Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or other substances that can increase heart rate and blood flow.
7. Observe and Describe the Snake: If possible, try to remember the look of the snake that bit you. This information can help healthcare professionals determine the appropriate antivenom for treatment.
Yes, we do. The amount varies and is dependent on the date and time. However, we guarantee we are the cheapest snake catchers in the Sutherland Shire!