Snake Catcher Emu Heights

Why Emu Heights Gets the Snake Activity It Does

Emu Heights sits on the elevated ground north of Emu Plains, climbing up the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains escarpment. The suburb has more bushland exposure than Emu Plains proper, with sandstone elements appearing at the western edge as the terrain transitions toward the mountains, and the Nepean River corridor running along the eastern boundary. Mature gardens, larger established blocks and a quieter residential character distinguish it from the flatter, denser suburbs further east.

Browns and Red-bellied Blacks are pretty evenly distributed in our Emu Heights work, and which one you encounter depends on the habitat more than the street. Browns favour the drier ground: paddock edges, sheds, woodpiles, foundation gaps, dry stone walls. Red-bellies favour the wetter ground: drainage lines, gully drainages, pool surrounds, ponds, dam edges, frog habitat. The bushland-edge character of the western side of the suburb also brings Green Tree Snakes through more often than the flatter suburbs to the east. Blue-tongues are heavily represented. Eastern Water Dragons appear along the river frontage and around pool surrounds on river-adjacent blocks.

The Reptiles We Attend in Emu Heights

Eastern Brown Snake. A major species in our Emu Heights work, and one of the two snakes you're most likely to encounter on the property. Slender, fast-moving, ranging in colour from pale tan through mid-brown to almost black. Adults typically reach one and a half to two metres. Venomous, and clinically the most dangerous land snake in Australia, although the risk to anyone giving them space is very low. They will flee if given the chance and only become defensive when cornered, trodden on or actively pursued. Browns favour the drier, more open habitat: paddock edges, sheds and garages, foundation gaps, woodpiles, dry stone walls, chook pens. If you see a Brown on the property, step back, keep a visual, and call 1300 599 938.

Red-bellied Black Snake. A major species in our Emu Heights work, roughly as common as Brown across the suburb overall, but found in genuinely different habitat. Glossy black with a red or pink underside, adults typically one and a half to two metres. Red-bellies favour the wetter ground: gully drainages, pool surrounds and pool pump housings, ponds, dam edges, frog habitat, thick damp garden beds along boundary fences. They follow frogs, so frog activity after rain and through the warmer months tends to bring them through. Venomous, but considerably less defensive than Browns.

Blue-tongued Lizard. Not a snake, but among the most-called reptiles in Emu Heights. Large, slow-moving native skinks that get mistaken for snakes constantly because of their size. They're harmless, beneficial, and good for a garden. They eat snails, slugs and insects, and tend to settle in garages, sheds, garden beds, rockeries and under outdoor furniture.

Green Tree Snake. Present in Emu Heights, particularly in the older established streets with mature trees and on the bushland-edge blocks. Slender, fast-moving, bright green or olive. Completely harmless and non-venomous. Excellent climbers with sharp eyesight.

Eastern Water Dragon. Present in Emu Heights on properties with Nepean River frontage. Large native dragon lizards with grey-olive scales, distinctive dark banding and a long flattened tail. Often basking on river rocks, along the bank, around pool surrounds and on decks. Frequently called in as snake sightings because of the size. Harmless, beneficial, protected.

Which Species Follows What

The species mix in Emu Heights follows habitat tightly. Browns follow mice, rats, lizards and eggs into sheds, garages, chook pens, woodpiles and around foundations. Red-bellies follow frogs and moisture, concentrating along gully drainages and around pool pump housings. Blue-tongues follow snails, slugs and insects through garden beds and shed corners. Green Tree Snakes follow skinks and geckos through bushland-edge gardens. Eastern Water Dragons follow the river corridor.

Where We Find Reptiles on Emu Heights Properties

For Eastern Browns: sheds and garages, chook pens and the surrounding ground, foundation gaps and slab edges, woodpiles, compost bins, dry stone walls and brick rubble, paddock and yard edges.

For Red-bellied Black Snakes: pool pump housings and pool surrounds, water features and ponds, gully drainages running down toward the river, thick damp garden beds along boundary fences, under decks and verandahs in shaded damp corners.

For Blue-tongues: garden beds, rockeries, behind shrubs near walls, under timber piles and leaf litter, garages and sheds, compost bins.

For Green Tree Snakes: along fences, through pergolas, around roof lines, in mature shrubs and trees, particularly on the bushland-edge blocks.

For Eastern Water Dragons: along the Nepean River bank, around pool surrounds on river-adjacent blocks, on decks facing the river, on warm driveways.

What to Do If You See a Snake in Emu Heights

Step back. Bring children and pets indoors. If possible, 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 think the snake is an Eastern Brown, the most important thing is distance. Don't try to corner it, photograph it from close range, or move it with a stick or a rake.

If a snake is inside the house, this is an emergency. Leave the room, close the door behind you, and call 1300 599 938.

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 Emu Heights Property

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

For Eastern Browns, the single most useful thing is reducing rodent activity. Browns follow mice. Address rodent activity through proper control, remove stored rubbish piles, tidy woodpiles, and seal foundation gaps where you can.

For Red-bellied Black Snakes, keep pool pump housings clear and unappealing as shelter. Manage gully drainages where they touch the property, thin out heavy damp garden beds along boundary fences, and manage frog activity where it has concentrated against the house, without killing the frogs, they're protected.

For Blue-tongues, they're not pests, they're beneficial. The goal isn't to reduce them, just to be aware they'll shelter in the shed, garage and garden beds.