Snake Season on the Coast: How to Stay Safe This Spring and Summer

Warmer days, dune walks and long evenings outdoors are what coastal living is all about. As the temperature rises, our local reptiles are waking up too, and snakes become much more active across Perth’s coastal suburbs.

Snakes play a vital role in our ecosystem, so the goal isn’t to fear them but to respect their space. Here’s how to prepare your home, stay safe when you’re out and about, and who to call if you need help.

Why snakes are more active now

After sheltering through winter, snakes emerge in spring to search for food, find mates and bask in warm spots. This is also when young snakes appear, exploring their surroundings for the first time.

Coastal dunes, bushland reserves and the green edges of our suburbs give them plenty of cover, so it pays to be a little more aware from now through to autumn in the new year.

Around the home

A few simple habits make your yard far less inviting to snakes.

• Keep lawns short: Mow regularly and clear out weeds or overgrown areas.
• Clear the clutter: Remove piles of timber, corrugated iron or green waste where snakes like to hide.
• Manage pests: Mice and rats are a snake’s favourite meal. Keep bird-feeding areas clean and secure chicken coops.
• Watch the water: Snakes look for moisture in summer, so take care around dog water bowls, pools and garden ponds.

Out and about

Whether it’s a dune walk, a beach path or a bushland trail, a little care goes a long way.

• • Stick to paths: Stay on cleared tracks and avoid walking through long grass or dune vegetation.
  • Wear safe footwear: Choose enclosed shoes, and long trousers if you’re heading into bushland.
  • Keep dogs on leads: A leashed dog is far less likely to startle or chase a snake.

What to do if you see a snake

1. Stop and back away: Move at least 5 metres away. Never approach, corner or try to catch a snake, as most bites happen when people try to interact with them.
2. Keep pets away: Secure dogs and cats immediately.
3. Keep your eyes on it: From a safe distance, watch where the snake goes so you can tell a professional.
4. Call for help: Contact the Wildcare Helpline for advice, or an experienced snake catcher to have it safely relocated (numbers below).

If someone is bitten

Snake bites aren’t common, but every bite should be treated as life-threatening. Call Triple Zero (000) straight away, then follow these basic first aid steps from St John WA:

1. Lay the person down, keep them still and reassure them.
2. If the bite is on a limb, apply a broad pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible.
3. Apply a second firm bandage from the fingers or toes up the limb as far as it reaches.
4. Splint the limb, including the joints either side of the bite.
5. Note the time of the bite and when the bandage was applied.

Don’t wash the bite site, cut it or try to suck out venom, use a tourniquet, or try to catch the snake.

This is a great time to check your first aid kit too. Make sure you have at least two broad elasticised bandages, replace anything expired, and consider a St John first aid course so you’re confident if it ever happens.

Helpful numbers and links

Save these in your phone before you need them.

The Wildcare Helpline offers advice but doesn’t attend callouts. If a snake needs removing from your property, the City of Joondalup notes that DBCA recommends finding a snake catcher or pest control service through an online search. Local council rangers can usually only help with snakes on council land.

A note on protection

Snakes are protected in Western Australia under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Killing or harming them is illegal, and it’s also one of the most common ways people get bitten.

They keep mice and rats in check and are part of what makes our coastal and bushland surroundings so special. With a tidy yard, a stocked first aid kit and these numbers saved in your phone, you’re well set to enjoy the warmer months ahead.