Snake Catchers Adelaide warns coastal residents and beachgoers to beware of uninvited guests

Snakes like the beach in summer as well, experts warn, as they share their tips for keeping them out of coastal homes.

Beaches and coastal suburbs are riddled with snakes, professional catchers say, with Hallett Cove a particular problem but the danger extending all the way from Henley to Sellicks.

People who love hitting the beach are being warned to keep a lookout, and coastal residents urged to keep doors closed and sealed to avoid close encounters with slithering intruders on hot days.

While people often think of snakes being a problem mostly in the Adelaide Hills and bordering suburbs – and they are more prevalent in some areas than others – Snake Catchers Adelaide manager Ange Broadstock said they could turn up anywhere.

“Hallett Cove is a hotspot but there are snakes all along the coastline now, from Glenelg through to Sellicks Beach and also Henley Beach,” Ms Broadstock said.

“There are lots of sightings on the beach too.”

At peak times, in spring when snakes first emerge and toward the end of summer when babies hatch, the company handles about 250 calls a day.

Right now, the biggest threat is snakes wanting to enter homes to cool off on hot days.

Ms Broadstock said there are things people could do to reduce the risk of a close encounter, such as ensuring doors were closed and well sealed; removing or elevating sources of water such as dog bowls; and controlling rodents, as they were a food source for snakes which are attracted by the smell and activity.

Snake Catchers Adelaide manager Ange Broadstock. .

“When it does get really hot, snakes start coming indoors,” Ms Broadstock said.

“They tend to travel around the outside of a house, following straight lines, then when they sense cool air flowing out they duck in under the door. The door does not need to be open, they squeeze underneath.

“As snakes are cold-blooded animals they can heat up but not cool down quickly if it’s hot, so that is why they seek coolness on a hot day.”

She said the best advice was to leave snakes alone and call a catcher.

“As soon as people start interfering with them, problems occur,” she said.

“Snakes are defensive, not aggressive creatures. They fear anything bigger than themselves such as humans. They will always flee if possible and only act aggressively if they cannot escape and feel threatened.”

Ms Broadstock said snakes had been active ever since post-winter temperatures reached into the 20s.

“They start to come out, sit near their hole, get some sun and then go back in,” she said.

“Then when it warms up enough in springtime they’re most active, that’s when they’re all waking up and they move around looking for food and a mate.

“After mating, when they’ve had their food, things calm down.”

The company shares jobs between 16 of its own catchers on staff, and also coordinates with other catchers around the state.

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