When a snake appears in a workplace—be it an office, warehouse, school, factory, or construction site—employees and employers alike often assume someone “knows a bit about snakes” can handle it. That assumption is dangerously flawed. Sydney Snake Catcher strongly urges that no untrained person ever attempt snake removal. The risks to health, liability, and life are simply too high.
In March 2024, an unthinkable tragedy occurred: a worker died after attempting to remove a snake from a childcare centre. Authorities later confirmed that he likely did not realise the danger he faced until it was too late. This case starkly reminds us that even experienced handlers can underestimate risk—and that snake removal is not a task for amateurs. Employees acting outside their training, without proper equipment or licensing, dramatically increase the odds of serious injury or worse.
Many workplace snake bites happen because someone “knows a little” about reptiles—and overestimates their ability. Snakes are unpredictable. Even common or non-venomous species may strike defensively if they feel threatened or cornered. A misjudged movement or incorrect tool can escalate the situation instantly. What begins as a “quick catch” can result in a serious bite, lasting medical consequences, or fatality.
Beyond the immediate danger to the person involved, a snake bite in the workplace opens a web of legal and financial exposure. The company may face workers’ compensation claims, liability for medical costs, lost wages, and even litigation if safety protocols were insufficient. When staff perform tasks outside their role—like attempting snake removal—those risks amplify.
Under no circumstances should staff try to catch, restrain, or move a snake themselves. Even the safest-looking species can cause harm.
Employees should receive clear instruction on what to do when a snake is sighted: retreat to a safe distance, alert others, and never approach the animal. Understanding basic snake behaviour—such as where they hide or how they move—can reduce panic and mistakes.
Workplaces in snake-prone areas should have a documented response:
Rather than relying on internal staff, partner with a professional snake catcher. For any structural, animal, or pest control company dealing with wildlife, this gives you rapid, safe, and legal removal whenever needed. Sydney Snake Catcher offers 24/7 response across the Sydney region, providing peace of mind to workplaces large and small.
If staff spot a snake in the building or grounds, here’s what should happen:
In the tragic incident at the childcare centre, well-meaning staff attempted to remove a snake themselves. Without proper training, they misjudged the snake’s behaviour and timing. That one decision led to a fatal outcome. Legal investigations later highlighted how the workplace lacked clear protocols and had no formal agreement with a qualified snake removal service. That cost lives—and could have been avoided.
When you employ trained, licensed professionals, you remove the guesswork. Here’s why outsourcing snake removal is essential:
Employees who try to remove snakes place themselves and their employers at risk. Professional snake removal is non-negotiable—especially when venomous species are involved. Workplaces must enact clear protocols, educate staff, and outsource removal to licensed experts. If a snake is ever found on your site, call Sydney Snake Catcher on 1300 599 938 immediately. Safety, respect for wildlife, and risk
Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, but deadly species exist across every continent except Antarctica. As the leading experts in professional snake removal, Sydney Snake Catcher provides safe and reliable services across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, and the Blue Mountains. Beyond removal, one of our key goals is education. The more people understand about snakes, the safer they will be. This article explores the world’s deadliest snakes, the most venomous species found in Australia, and what Sydney residents need to know about safety and prevention.
The danger of a snake is often measured by the toxicity of its venom. Scientists use a standard called LD50, which refers to the dose of venom required to kill 50% of test animals (usually mice). The lower the LD50, the more toxic the venom. But venom potency is only part of the story. The amount of venom injected, fang length, strike accuracy, behaviour of the snake, and access to medical care all determine how dangerous a snake is in real life. For example, some of the world’s deadliest snakes may rarely bite humans, while others with less toxic venom are responsible for more deaths because of higher encounter rates.
Globally, several species are considered the deadliest by venom potency and impact:
Australia dominates global rankings of venom potency. The inland taipan, coastal taipan, eastern brown snake, and tiger snake are all among the top species worldwide. Other highly venomous Australian snakes include the king brown (mulga snake), lowland copperhead, small-eyed snake, rough-scaled snake, red-bellied black snake, and western brown snake. While these snakes vary in behaviour and habitat preference, they all carry dangerous venom and should never be approached.
The World Health Organization estimates that between 81,000 and 138,000 people die every year from snakebites globally, with most fatalities occurring in Asia and Africa due to limited access to medical care and antivenom. In contrast, Australia, despite having the most venomous snakes by toxicity, averages fewer than five deaths per year. This is thanks to rapid ambulance response, access to hospitals, and the widespread availability of antivenom. For Sydney residents, this means that although venomous snakes live among us, fatal outcomes are rare when medical care is accessed quickly.
The Eastern Brown Snake is the second most venomous land snake in the world and is commonly encountered in Sydney and regional New South Wales. They are highly alert, quick to defend themselves, and are responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia. They thrive in urban and rural areas where rodents are abundant. Brown snakes are often drawn into homes, sheds, and backyards in search of prey, making them one of the main reasons Sydney Snake Catcher is called out each season.
While brown snakes are the most common cause of emergency calls, Sydney residents may also encounter red-bellied black snakes, tiger snakes, small-eyed snakes, and diamond pythons. Red-bellied black snakes are venomous but generally shy and less dangerous than browns. Tiger snakes, though less common in Sydney’s urban core, inhabit wetlands and coastal areas. Diamond pythons are non-venomous but often mistaken for browns due to their size and patterns. Knowing the difference between these snakes can help residents remain calm, but the safest approach is always to treat any unidentified snake as dangerous and call Sydney Snake Catcher immediately.
If you live in or around Sydney, you are in snake country. Following simple precautions reduces risk: always wear sturdy footwear and long pants when walking in long grass or bushland. Keep yards tidy by mowing lawns, trimming vegetation, and removing piles of timber or corrugated iron that create hiding spots. Seal gaps in houses, garages, and sheds to block entry points. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, as it attracts rodents, which in turn attract snakes. Educate your family, especially children, about staying calm and calling an adult if they see a snake. Finally, keep the number for Sydney Snake Catcher handy so you know who to call in an emergency.
Living in Sydney means sharing the landscape with Australia’s native reptiles. Among them, snakes are the ones that prompt the most concern. Understanding snake behaviour, risks, and how to respond can help protect people, pets, and wildlife. At Sydney Snake Catcher, we believe education is one of the best tools in keeping everyone safe. This guide covers everything from how dogs and snakes interact to prevention tips, emergency care, and how our professional snake removal works across Sydney.
Many calls to snake catchers are triggered by pets—especially dogs—encountering snakes. While snakes generally do not seek confrontations, dogs often provoke or aggravate snakes by chasing or cornering them. Snakes don’t have claws or limbs; their only form of defence is a bite. They don’t target dogs as prey—they bite out of fear when they feel threatened or trapped. Because dogs may lead with their face when approaching, bites often occur in vulnerable areas like the mouth, gums, or tongue, where venom can spread more rapidly. In Sydney, snake bites in dogs are more common than many expect. A tragic case in Middle Dural involved three Jack Russell Terriers that attacked a Red-Bellied Black Snake. All three dogs died, along with the snake. In many cases, bites result from dogs initiating contact rather than snakes proactively attacking.
Symptoms of a snake bite in a dog can escalate quickly. Some early warning signs include sudden collapse or weakness, trembling or muscle twitching, paralysis especially in the hind legs, excessive salivation or foaming at the mouth, progressive lethargy, difficulty breathing, bleeding or swelling at a suspected bite site, dilated pupils or altered gait. If you notice any of these signs, do not delay—an immediate veterinary review is essential. Always inform the vet staff that a snake bite is suspected.
If your dog is bitten, here’s what you should and shouldn’t do. Do keep your dog as still and calm as possible to slow venom spread. Rush to the nearest vet straight away. Try to immobilise the bitten limb if known. Loosely wrapping the limb can help but never apply a tight tourniquet. Remove jewellery, collars, or items that may constrict swelling. Avoid washing the bite site, as trace venom may help confirm diagnosis. Don’t cut, suck, or attempt to drain venom. Don’t apply heat or cold packs. Never use a tight tourniquet. Don’t let your dog run or move excessively. Time is of the essence for snake bite emergencies in dogs. The sooner veterinary care is given, the better the prognosis.
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are practical measures you can take to reduce risk. Supervise dogs outdoors and keep them on leash in bushy or grassy areas. Train reliable recall so they don’t chase wildlife. Maintain your yard by trimming tall grass, removing leaf litter, wood piles, and clutter that provide shelter for snakes. Fence off risk areas like under decks and sheds. Remove prey attractors such as rodents, frogs, and bird feed that may draw snakes. Avoid walking dogs at dusk or night when many snakes are active. Teach your family, especially children, about snake safety. By making your property less hospitable to snakes and training your dog responsibly, you dramatically reduce the likelihood of dangerous encounters.
When a snake enters your property, calling a professional is your safest option. Sydney Snake Catcher operates as a 24/7 emergency service across Sydney, the Illawarra, the Blue Mountains, and surrounding areas. Our call-out fee is not a capture fee—once you engage us, a licensed catcher attends your property regardless of whether the snake remains visible. We aim to arrive within an hour and provide ETA updates along the way. It’s helpful if you or someone else keeps eyes on the snake from a safe distance, as this makes location and capture much more efficient. Once on site, our trained catcher assesses the area, uses the correct equipment to ensure safety, and relocates the snake humanely into suitable habitat. If the snake moves on before we arrive, the call-out still applies because the emergency service, professional attendance, and risk management have been provided.
Snakes are a natural part of the Australian environment, but that doesn’t mean you want them turning up in your backyard. Most snakes are shy and avoid humans — however, they’re always on the lookout for food, shelter, and water. If your garden provides any of these, it can quickly become an inviting home for reptiles.
Thankfully, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make your property a less appealing place for snakes to hide or hunt.
Snakes prefer thick vegetation and long grass because it gives them cover from predators and the elements. When lawns are regularly mowed and garden beds kept neat:
Removing excess leaf litter, trimming back bushes, and keeping pathways clear all help discourage snakes from moving through your yard.
Loose piles of timber, rock heaps, and stacked roofing sheets make perfect hiding spots — they create cool, dark spaces snakes love.
If you need to store building materials:
Good airflow beneath items prevents them from becoming snake hotels — and also reduces moisture and pests.
Snakes frequently enter yards looking for a safe place to rest. Popular shelter sites include:
Use fine snake-proof mesh or sealable barriers to close large gaps and remove the temptation. If there’s no access, there’s no problem.
Snakes aren’t visiting your yard to find you — they’re hunting rats, mice, and sometimes frogs.
Outdoor pet food bowls can attract rodents if not managed properly.
Bad habits to avoid:
Keep outdoor food sealed and feeding areas tidy, and you remove one of the main reasons snakes show up.
Water sources naturally draw frogs, which in turn attract snakes that love to feed on them.
Look for and remove:
If you want a garden water feature, ensure it’s well maintained and placed away from doors and pet areas.
If you, or someone you know has been bitten by a snake, it is important to follow these steps.
