By Afraa Kori
With 10 years experience, local resident, snake catcher and wildlife rescue, Neil Haesler has seen a drastic spike in calls this summer, with a 24 hours service.
He services mainly Cardinia Shire, Casey and regional areas like Gembrook.
In the eastern suburbs, the most common species found are copperheads, tiger snakes, and red-bellied snakes, with occasional brown snakes, although they are more prevalent in western and northern suburbs.
Neil typically finds snakes on residential properties, including backyards, front yards, and inside homes.
He said the common mistakes residents make is by leaving open water sources and an untidy backyard which attracts snakes to their properties.
“A snake is not just going to stay in one area but sometimes they will stay in the same area, especially if they got a good area where there’s a water source,” Neil said.
“Some people leave water bowls out the rear door and a snake senses that and if it gets too hot, a snake needs to drink like we do. Some people leave their doors or windows open and if their air conditioner is on, the snake will get inside.”
“A lot of people will have chicken, coops and rubbish that attracts vermin. All the feed that gets left all over the ground is what the mice and the rats are going for. That’s why we find a lot of snakes in that area because they’re not actually going for the chickens, they’re going for the mice that are going for the feed. If you’ve got a backyard with mice and rats, the snake’s going to sense that.”
Residents’ untidy yards have long grass and items like rock piles, old timber, tin sheets which retain heat and provide a perfect home for snakes.
However he warned that even with a clean backyard, snakes will come regardless.
“The snake is actually either looking for water, or it’s just passing through. So, you will see snakes no matter what you do,” he said.
“A snake just wants to be left alone and get away. So the best thing to do is just stand there, keep an eye on it, give us a call and we’ll come get it,” Neil said.
Residents are encouraged to keep a snake catcher’s phone number handy and to act quickly when spotting a snake.
“I tell a lot of people just put my phone number in their phone so if they do see a snake, they just dial it straight away. Then they can watch the snake until I get there because as soon as someone walks away, the snake takes off.”
“I’ve had numerous times we’ve turned up to jobs where someone had to look for my magnet and try to find a snake catcher or go inside to grab their phone. By the time they got back, the snake is gone because it’s scared.”
With children on school summer holidays, Neil encourages parents to inspect the backyard first before allowing children to play outside.
“Just keep an eye on them and also teach them about snakes. If the kids are educated about snakes, they will understand and learn not to touch one or go near it.”
“I had a family the other day sit and admire a big red-bellied black snake having a drink of water. All the kids just jumped off their bikes and they stood there with their parents and watched it. It was shared on Facebook and everybody online said that it is excellent for kids. It’s a good education for a family!”
For more info call 0418130728 or visit https://snakesandmorewildliferescue.com.au/
