Snake Catcher Brooklyn

Why Brooklyn Gets the Snake Activity It Does

Brooklyn sits at the northern tip of the Hornsby LGA on the southern bank of the Hawkesbury River, just upstream from the river mouth. It's the only true waterfront village in the LGA, with the residential streets running down to the river, boat sheds, jetties, marinas, oyster leases, the Hawkesbury River railway station and the ferry terminal that services Dangar Island and the river settlements. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park wraps around the southern, eastern and western sides, with bushland exposure as continuous as anywhere in metropolitan Sydney. The terrain is steep where the bushland drops to the river, with sandstone outcrops, deep gardens and the kind of older waterfront and weekender housing that has defined the suburb for over a century.

The combination of waterfront, riverside vegetation, national park enclosure and small village character produces a reptile callout profile unlike anywhere else in the Hornsby LGA. Red-bellied Black Snakes work the riverside vegetation, boat shed surrounds, jetties and damp garden corners. Diamond Pythons are present in the bushland-edge properties and the older waterfront houses. Eastern Water Dragons are a genuine feature of the work here, on jetties, around boat sheds and along the river edge.

The Reptiles We Attend in Brooklyn

Red-bellied Black Snake. A substantial proportion of our Brooklyn work given the waterfront and the national park enclosure. They follow frogs, and the riverside vegetation, damp ground and boat shed surrounds sustain frog activity continuously. Sightings concentrate around boat sheds, jetty surrounds, water tanks, garden ponds, damp shaded corners of the garden and along fences backing onto bushland. Venomous, but generally far less defensive than Browns. They will move away if given the chance.

Diamond Python. A major species in our Brooklyn work, particularly on properties backing onto Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park or the steeper bushland blocks above the river. Non-venomous, but large, adults reach two to three metres and they're powerfully built. The bushland exposure, mature gardens and older tiled-roof homes sustain a resident Python population, and roof cavities are a major job category. Pythons follow rodents into the roof and settle in. We also find them on warm retaining walls, in pergolas, along gutters, on jetty timbers and around boat shed rafters where rodent activity has settled in.

Eastern Water Dragon. A genuine feature of Brooklyn work given the waterfront character. Common along the river edge, on jetties, around boat sheds, on sandstone outcrops near water and in the riverside gardens. Harmless, but large and capable of giving a defensive bite if cornered. We attend Water Dragon callouts where one has settled somewhere it can't be left, including inside boat sheds, on house decks or in pool surrounds.

Green Tree Snake. Common in Brooklyn gardens, particularly along fences, in pergolas and around roof lines. Slender, bright green or olive, fast-moving, completely harmless. They feed on skinks, geckos and small frogs and are excellent climbers, which is why they sometimes turn up at elevated parts of the property.

Blue-tongued Lizard. Not a snake, but the reptile we are called for almost as often. Large, slow-moving native skinks that get mistaken for snakes because of their size and the way they flatten their bodies when threatened. They are harmless, beneficial, and good for a garden, they eat snails, slugs and insects.

Which Species Follows What

The species mix in Brooklyn makes more sense once you know what each one is following. Red-bellied Black Snakes follow frogs and moisture, which is why they concentrate around boat sheds, riverside vegetation, water tanks and damp garden corners. Diamond Pythons follow rats and mice, which is why they end up in roof cavities and boat shed rafters. Eastern Water Dragons follow insects and small prey along the river edge, jetties and sandstone outcrops near water. Green Tree Snakes follow skinks and geckos through gardens and along fence lines.

Where We Find Reptiles on Brooklyn Properties

For Red-bellied Black Snakes: boat shed surrounds, jetty timbers, around water tanks and pumps, pool pump housings on the residential properties, garden ponds, garden beds with thick mulch against boundary fences, under decks and verandahs in shaded damp corners, along fences backing onto Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

For Diamond Pythons: roof cavities are the standout, particularly on older waterfront and weekender homes with tiled roofs and small gaps under the eaves. Also in boat shed rafters, on sandstone retaining walls, in pergolas and outdoor entertainment areas, along gutters and on warm jetty timbers.

For Eastern Water Dragons: jetties, boat shed decks, sandstone outcrops near water, riverside garden walls, pool surrounds and on rocks near the river.

For Green Tree Snakes: along fences, through pergolas, around roof lines, in mature shrubs and along garden edges.

What to Do If You See a Snake in Brooklyn

Step back. Bring children and pets indoors. If you're on a boat shed, jetty or marina berth, move to a clear area and keep a visual on the snake from a safe distance. Don't try to move it, contain it, photograph it from up close or identify the species. Call 1300 599 938. We'll talk you through what to do until we arrive.

If you hear movement in the roof through the warmer months and you live in Brooklyn, a Diamond Python is one of the more likely explanations, particularly on the older waterfront houses and on streets backing onto Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Possums and rats are the other possibilities. We can tell the difference on site.

Snake Bite First Aid

A snake bite is a medical emergency. Treat every bite as if it's venomous, even if the snake looked harmless. Symptoms can take time to appear, and that's exactly why fast action matters.

If someone is bitten:

• Call 000 immediately.
• Keep the patient still and calm. Movement spreads venom through the lymphatic system.
• Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage firmly over the bite site, then bandage the entire limb from fingers or toes up to the armpit or groin.
• Splint the limb if you can, to prevent movement.
• Do not wash the bite. Venom residue on the skin helps hospital staff identify the species and choose the right antivenom.
• Do not try to catch, kill or photograph the snake from close range.
• Wait for paramedics, or get the patient to hospital as fast as is safely possible.

Australian antivenom is highly effective when administered promptly. Time matters.

What Actually Reduces Reptile Activity on a Brooklyn Property

Deterrent products sold at hardware stores, powders, sprays, ultrasonic devices, are not effective. Don't waste money on them.

For Red-bellied Black Snakes, keep boat shed surrounds, pool pump housings and water tank surrounds clear and unappealing as shelter. Thin out heavy garden beds along boundary fences, particularly the side facing bushland or river. Manage frog activity where it has concentrated against the house, without killing the frogs, they're protected.

For Diamond Pythons in roof cavities and boat shed rafters specifically, reducing rodent activity is the single most useful thing. Pythons follow rats. If a Python turns up in the ceiling or in a boat shed, the rodents got there first. Seal roof entry points where you can, keep the roof clear of stored items that draw rodents, and address rodent activity around boat sheds and outbuildings.