Venomous snakes invade Geelong pools and backyards sparking urgent resident warnings
Browns and red-bellied blacks are among the snakes turning up in Geelong swimming pools and gardens, with one controller attending ten call-outs in a single day.
A Geelong snake handler has responded to ten call-outs in a single day as highly venomous eastern browns and red-bellied blacks invade backyards, pools, and gardens across the region.
The spike in sightings — including a snake attack on a cat in Barwon Heads and dangerous encounters in Highton and Mt Duneed — has prompted urgent warnings for residents to be vigilant, particularly around pool areas where children play.
On November 2, licensed snake controller Darren Keiller said he was called to a copperhead seen near a horse yard in Mt Duneed and a tiger snake found in the garden of a Highton home.
Social media is littered with reported sightings of snakes across the region, warning others in the community.
Geelong snake handler Jack Gatto said when you see a snake, the first thing to do is call a snake catcher.
“Then lock your pets away, your children away and keep an eye on it (the snake) from about four or five metres,” Mr Gatto said.
He said while summer is often seen as the “crazy season” it is only because snake sightings are higher
“Snakes are always there, you are just more likely to see them in summer … if you’re outside having a barbecue with your mates,” Mr Gatto said.
“The only difference between beauty and fear is education, these animals aren’t trying to hurt you.
“Snakes are not aggressive, they’re defensive.”
Pool technicians are increasingly finding snakes in and around residential pool areas, hiding in toys, skimmer baskets, bushes, hoses and at the bottom of pools or under ledges.
Jim’s Pool Care Australia CEO and general manager Brett Blair said as snake activity enters its seasonal peak, homeowners need to take immediate steps to reduce risks, particularly families with children or pets.
“These aren’t your average pythons, we’re coming across browns and red-bellied blacks,” Mr Blair said.
“These are highly venomous snakes that can kill you.
“Children don’t realise the danger they could be in, simply playing around the pool.
“It can be a terrifying experience when you reach for the pool skimmer or step outside barefoot and there’s a snake coiled up behind the filter box.”
“As temperatures climb, snakes go searching for water and shade and pools are perfect for both,” Mr Blair said.
“Over the past few weeks, our pool technicians have seen a significant increase in sightings of dangerous snakes.
“Pools and gardens are perfect microclimates, shaded, moist and quiet during the day.
“It’s an ideal environment for snakes to seek shelter.”
Snakes are native animals and permitted to roam free in Australia – they are protected by law and must not harmed.
Snake bites usually occur when people approach a snake or try to catch it, if someone is bitten, the advice is to call triple-0 immediately.
Originally published as Venomous snakes invade Geelong pools and backyards sparking urgent resident warnings
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