My nightmare snake season has begun

YESTERDAY afternoon, my barefoot five-year-old ran into the backyard and came inches from stepping on a deadly eastern brown snake. Yep, snake season has well and truly begun in Adelaide.

• Greenfields wetlands closed due to killer snakes
• Three eastern browns in less than 10 minutes
• Nathan Davies jumps boots first into snake catching class

YESTERDAY, my barefoot five-year-old son ran into the backyard, headed for the lawn and came inches from stepping on an eastern brown snake.

He did as we’d always told him - stepped slowly back and ran the other way.

I will not soon forget his panicked screams.

This is not our first encounter with the deadly animals. Last year he ran into our garage straight over the top of a huge eastern brown.

I was jumpy for weeks after, on high alert the entire summer.

I did a first-aid course, googled way too much about snakes stats.

And then the weather cooled and life went on.

I almost forgot about the threat.

A few weeks back, and with the first signs of warmer weather, there he was again.

Fat, long and terrifying; slithering across the path in our backyard.

Our house backs onto a national park. We have a creek. It’s a beautiful spot and we love that our kids can run free and explore nature. Snakes are part of the deal.

But they still horrify me.

According to University of Sydney research, there are about 3000 snake bites in Australia each year, with up to 500 people given antivenom. Each year, one or two of those bites are fatal.

The brown snake is found all over Australia.

Its venom is extremely potent and its bite causes more deaths than that by any other snake.

What’s more terrifying than that? The fact that the actual bite often doesn’t hurt too much, so small children might not even be able to identify what has happened.

Last month, we reported the story of Erindale resident Jo West and her husband Phil, who were walking along the Centre Track at Waterfall Gully one morning when they were confronted by a huge eastern brown.

“Maybe three steps later there are two (more) big browns just sitting there sunning themselves, all sleepy,” Jo said.

The Greenfields Wetlands in Dry Creek has now been closed to the public until further notice due to a high number of dangerous snakes spotted.

Yes, it’s that time of year again - and it looks like a bumper season.

It’s a timely reminder that summer is on its way and to keep your eye out.

Choose wider tracks when walking on the many bush trails around Adelaide and in the hills.

If you live in a snake-prone area, keep an eye on your children when they’re playing, educate them and know first aid.

Don’t try to catch snakes – call in the experts.

If you see a snake inside, get all humans and pets out of the room, shut the door, fill the gap underneath with a towel and call a professional snake catcher.

Keep your yard clear of long grass and rubbish.

Clean up after chooks and control rodents on your property as rats and mice are food for snakes.

And try not to panic your kids but have the chat.

If they see a snake, back away slowly, then run the other way!