Snake Catcher Emu Plains

Why Emu Plains Gets the Snake Activity It Does

Emu Plains sits on the western side of the Nepean River, between the river and the base of the Blue Mountains escarpment. The suburb is the western gateway to the mountains, with the Lapstone foothills rising on the western edge and the river frontage and the Penrith Lakes precinct defining the eastern boundary. The terrain is gently sloping floodplain country with a mix of post-war housing, established 1960s and 1970s residential streets and pockets of semi-rural blocks in the western and northern sections.

Browns and Red-bellied Blacks are pretty evenly distributed in our Emu Plains 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 easements, creek corridors, pool surrounds, ponds, dam edges, frog habitat. Blue-tongues are the single most-called reptile in the suburb, mistaken for snakes constantly. Green Tree Snakes turn up in the older established streets with mature trees. Eastern Water Dragons appear along the river frontage and around pool surrounds on river-adjacent blocks.

The Reptiles We Attend in Emu Plains

Eastern Brown Snake. A major species in our Emu Plains 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, compost bins, stored corrugated iron and stored timber. 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 Plains 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: drainage easements, creek corridors, 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. They will move away if given space and only bite when cornered or grabbed.

Blue-tongued Lizard. Not a snake, but among the most-called reptiles in Emu Plains. Large, slow-moving native skinks that get mistaken for snakes constantly because of their size and the way they flatten their bodies when threatened. They flash a bright blue tongue, hiss, and look dangerous, but 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. Less common in Emu Plains than the species above, but present, particularly in the older established streets with mature trees, in pergolas, along fence lines and around roof lines. Slender, fast-moving, bright green or olive. Completely harmless and non-venomous.

Eastern Water Dragon. Present in Emu Plains on properties with Nepean River frontage and along the river corridor. 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 on river-adjacent blocks, on decks and on warm driveways. Frequently called in as snake sightings because of the size. Harmless, beneficial, protected. Most sightings don't require relocation.

Which Species Follows What

The species mix in Emu Plains follows habitat tightly. Browns follow mice, rats, lizards and eggs, which is why they end up in sheds, garages, chook pens, woodpiles and around foundations. Red-bellies follow frogs and moisture, which is why they concentrate along drainage easements, creek corridors 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 mature gardens. Eastern Water Dragons follow the river corridor and basking sites on river-adjacent properties.

Where We Find Reptiles on Emu Plains Properties

For Eastern Browns: sheds and garages (especially with stored timber, corrugated iron or rubbish piles), chook pens and the surrounding ground, foundation gaps and slab edges, woodpiles, compost bins, dry stone walls and brick rubble, paddock and yard edges, around outdoor pet food storage.

For Red-bellied Black Snakes: pool pump housings and pool surrounds, water features and ponds, drainage easements, creek corridors and their drainage lines, 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, under outdoor furniture.

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

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

What to Do If You See a Snake in Emu Plains

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. Browns are quick, alert, and become defensive when pursued.

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 Plains 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 and corrugated iron, tidy woodpiles and store them off the ground, and seal foundation gaps where you can.

For Red-bellied Black Snakes, keep pool pump housings clear and unappealing as shelter. Manage drainage easements 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.