Eastern browns, pythons removed from Brisbane, Ipswich sewers

Brisbane’s sewers are being invaded by deadly snakes with the recent heavy rain forcing the slithering reptiles into the underground networks.

SNAKES are on the move in our city’s sewers, with Urban Utilities retrieving five slippery customers from its network in Brisbane and Ipswich after the recent rain.

Two pythons and three eastern brown snakes were removed from sewers in Oxley, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore and East Ipswich.

A python is removed from a southeast Queensland sewer.

Urban Utilities spokeswoman Michelle Cull said the snakes were discovered during routine maintenance.

“After all the recent rain, we’ve seen a number of snakes slithering into the sewers over the past couple of weeks,” she said.

“Our crews aren’t skilled in snake wrangling, so we called in a snake catcher to safely remove and relocate the snakes.”

Snake catcher, Bryce Lockett, said it’s uncommon for snakes to make their way from sewer pipes, through the S-bend and into people’s toilets.

“Snakes are more likely to enter your home through an open door or window, rather than through the sewer network,” he said.

“We receive about a call a fortnight to remove snakes from people’s toilets.”

A snake catcher at work in a Brisbane sewer.

Ms Cull said, although it was rare, snakes could enter the toilet via a home’s overflow relief gully, which is a grated outlet, usually located outside the laundry.

“It’s a good idea to check your ORG to make sure the grate is in place so snakes can’t enter,” she said.

“If you’re still worried about an unexpected visitor in your loo, perhaps it’s best to peek before you pee.”

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of finding a snake in your toilet bowl, residents are advised to close the toilet lid and contact a snake catcher.