https://www.gbsnakecontrol.com/

Greater Bendigo Snake Control, Bendigo (2026)

04/09/2026

𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

In Australia we live with snakes, and many Australians seek ways to... not live with snakes.

Physical barriers and access-blocking products reduce the chances of a snake getting into your home or yard, or pet enclosures.

Recently I have touched on solar snake repellers and home remedy products that FAIL to repel snakes.

But there are a couple of products and alternatives that can help create barriers.

𝟭. 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿:
This is one I HIGHLY recommend for external doors.
It's also super easy to install and remove for cleaning.

(If you are not a fan of the foam, and you are handy with a sewing machine you can even make your own out of cotton or calico and fill with wheat or rice)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀:
A foam draft excluder that slides under and sits along the bottom of a door.
It can be held in place with an adhesive strip or bracket, or left as is.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
During peak summer heat snakes end up inside homes and dwellings to escape heat.
They do this when they move along walls and slip under the gap at the bottom of external doors.
A properly fitted twin foam draft stopper closes that gap so there's nothing to slide under.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲:
External doors.
Check the fit occasionally.
If the foam has flattened or the door has warped slightly, gaps can reopen.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗳:
This only helps with that one entry point.
It won't do anything for gaps around window frames, vents, or weep holes, so don't treat it as a total fix on its own.
It's the next level up from the old "door snake"... definitely invest in them!

𝟮. 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀:
A dog door insert that fits into the track of a sliding door, with a magnetic flap that closes on its own and a lock function for when you don't want it in use.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
Standard dog doors with a loose flap, or gap, are a way a snake can get indoors.
A good quality insert with a strong magnetic seal and a flap that sits flush to the frame removes that gap almost entirely when closed.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲:
Look for one that's actually installed correctly and sits flush, not one with visible gaps at the edges.
Use the lock function overnight or whenever the dog doesn't need access, particularly through the warmer months when snakes are most active.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗳:
Cheap inserts with weak magnets or a poor fit against the frame defeat the purpose.
It's worth spending a bit more for one that seals properly rather than picking the least expensive option.
Spending a little bit more on a good quality insert might save you a snake catcher call out cost, or at worst a vet bill.

𝟯. 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀:
A screen with magnetic edges that closes behind you as you walk through, commonly used on doorways that don't have a proper door.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
These are useful for spaces without an external door at all, like a patio opening, a shed entrance, or an outdoor rec room.
They give you somewhat of a barrier where otherwise there'd be none.
They are also transparent and give you visual advantage if a snake were to approach or be passing by.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲:
Sheds, patios, outdoor entertaining areas, anywhere you've got an open-style entry that a standard door product wouldn't fit.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗳:
These are a handy alternative, but they are NOT a heavy-duty barrier.
They're built for flies and light insects, not really rated as snake-proofing to the same standard as a proper door seal.
Still worth having over nothing, but don't expect the same reliability as a solid door insert.

Again, avoid cheap options.
Find a product with strong magnets, invest in a quality product, and ensure it's installed correctly.

𝟰. 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲 (𝟲𝗺𝗺 𝘅 𝟲𝗺𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀:
Fine galvanised wire mesh with a 6mm by 6mm aperture, small enough that even hatchling snakes generally can't fit through.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
This is the most versatile option on the list. It can line fence lines, aviaries, chicken coops, and dog runs, or be used to properly snake-proof a boundary.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲:
This one needs a bit more thought depending on what you're trying to achieve.

For fully enclosing a pet enclosure, like a chicken coop, aviary, or dog run, using it as a complete standalone barrier is genuinely recommended.

Bury the bottom edge or peg it flush to the ground so nothing can push under it, since a gap at ground level defeats the purpose of an enclosure meant to keep something in a defined, secure space.

Fence lines are a different situation, and can be a bit of a tricky one...

If the goal is a full barrier meant to keep snakes out entirely, one small hole, gap, or oversight is enough for a snake to get through, and once it's on the wrong side of that barrier it can effectively become landlocked, with no way back out the way it came in.

Because of that, mesh along a fence line often works better as a redirect than a total seal.

Snakes tend to travel along or against a wall or edge rather than crossing open ground, so mesh installed with that in mind can act as a guide.

Instead of relying on it to stop a snake outright, the idea is that when the snake reaches the barrier it's encouraged to move alongside it and eventually turn away or continue past, rather than searching for a way through into an enclosed space.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗳:
This one takes more effort and cost than the other three.

Be clear on what you are wanting to achieve if you are considering this product, and plan it out before purchasing and wasting money and materials.

When it comes to this product, a full, gapless barrier is appropriate for a pet enclosure where landlocking isn't a risk.

For fence lines meant to keep snakes out of a broader area, treat any mesh as a redirect tool rather than a guaranteed seal, and check it periodically for damage or gaps, since a small hole or a section pulled loose from the ground is all it takes to undo the intended effect.

Some snake catchers may offer the installation of the mouse aviary wire.

Though catchers (should) have a keen eye on entry points and problematic areas, they may not be qualified to do the job. (If they have a qualification or are a tradie then bonus points.)

I've always recommended that whether you try it yourself, or have a tradesman attempt the job, it doesn't hurt to consult with a good knowledgeable catcher about adjustments or considerations.

They might be able to give advice or feedback on snake proofing.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲
None of this makes a property completely snake-proof, and anyone claiming their product does is selling you a promise they can't back up.

What these options do is close off the easy, obvious access points, and that's a genuinely different thing from spraying something around the perimeter or installing a solar repeller with no evidence behind it.

Physical barriers work because they physically block a snake.

That's the whole mechanism.

Combine a few of these where they make sense for your property, stay on top of maintenance each season, and you'll have done the practical, sensible part.

02/09/2026

𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗜𝗫: 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 "𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦" 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞

• Pour diesel around the yard.
• Plant some lavender.
• Sprinkle mothballs under the house.
• Spray essential oils around the perimeter.

Everyone wants a quick, cheap, easy way to keep snakes off their property. But almost none of it works, and some of it is genuinely dangerous.

I want to go through the most common ones.

𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟:
This one comes up constantly.
The idea is that the smell repels snakes, so people pour it around fence lines, sheds, and garden beds.

I've caught snakes inside chemical storage sheds and in and around petrol stations.
If the smell of fuel actually bothered snakes, those would be the last places I'd find them.

Pouring a flammable, toxic substance around your property, often near a home with kids and pets, is a real safety and environmental hazard, particularly during peak summer bushfire season.

In Summer, anything you pour around will evaporate fast.

Realistically you'd be pouring litres of fuel around your yard every few days just to keep up.....

• Expensive
• Time consuming
• Dangerous
• Still wouldn't work.

𝗟𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 "𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚" 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦:
The short answer on plants is that snakes don't avoid fragrant smelling plants in gardens.

Lavender gets recommended a lot, along with a handful of other plants people swear snakes hate the smell of.....
Again, I've caught snakes in lavender bushes and just about every type of plant you can think of.

A thick lavender bush is actually decent cover for a snake, not a deterrent.

Side note: if you have agapanthus on your property, please get rid of them, or at least space them apart and keep the understory neat and tidy....They are a snake catcher's nightmare once a snake gets into them.

𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥:
There is no solid scientific evidence behind this.
It hasn't been proven to work in any meaningful way....

Same as with diesel and petrol, it's not practical and it's harmfull, and you'd be pouring liquid around the entire perimeter of your property constantly just to keep any effect going.

𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦:
Another common suggestion, and one of the worse ones.

There's no good evidence that it works.

What mothballs do reliably do is release toxic chemicals that are harmful to people, pets, and wildlife if they're ingested or breathed in over time.

𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗦, 𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗦:
There are products sold specifically as snake deterrents, including the in-ground solar repellers I've written about before.
Any spray, lotion, or "potion" marketed to repel snakes is not tested, scientifically backed, or proven to work.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦:
All of these suggestions get sold as prevention, but they're misleading, and in some cases dangerous to us, our kids, our pets, and other wildlife that shares the same space.

Beyond the direct risks, there's another cost, and that's complacency.....

If someone believes they've "snake proofed" their yard with diesel or lavender or a spray, they stop being careful, they let their guard down exactly where they should still be paying attention, and that's when a potential snake encounter can happen.

A quick, easy fix doesn't exist.

Spending your time, money, and energy on these methods means you're pouring all of that into the wrong place, while the things that actually reduce your risk get ignored.

Part of living in Australia is accepting that snakes live here too.
This isn't something we can always "pay or spray" our way out of.

The responsibility and the effort genuinely falls back on us.
We also need to understand that even doing everything right still leaves a small chance we may cross paths with a snake sometimes.....

That's just reality.

But every proper step you take, pest control, garden and yard maintenance, PPE, and so on, works toward lowering that chance encounter.

That's a far better use of your time than a bottle of diesel and a bag of mothballs.

01/09/2026

𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗦:

I'd like to touch on something that was brought to my attention.

Some advice from a snake catching page regarding the method of securing a snake indoors.

I found this information to be, quite frankly.....unusual and a risk.

"Don't roll a towel up and place it against the door. That won't do anything. Open the door, lay the towel under the doorway, close the door over the towel."

I can't tell you how many times I've opened a door to a room with a brown snake at the other side of that door.

• A) A panicked, frightened person most likely won't want to open that door.

• B) Someone with mobility issues may be unable to.

• C) Could have a style of door or flooring that won't allow for anything to be placed under a door.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥

The following method of securing a door is what every catcher I've known advises and It's the advice I give as well.

The safest and most effective method of securing a door to a room containing a snake, is to dampen or wet a towel as much as possible (if you are able to) prior to placing it down along the base of the door.

(A wet towel holds its shape and sits flatter against the floor.)

Lay it along the full length of the bottom of the door, without opening the door itself, and push it firmly into place from your side.

(Yes, a dry towel may be too light, but adding weighted objects against the towel along the base of the door can help.)

If there's a snake indoors in a room, opening the door to arrange a towel isn't necessary.

Sealing the gap from your side, without opening the door, is the safer approach.

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘'𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠, 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣:

• Remove children, pets and others away from the room

• Close the door

• Wet the towel

• Roll up the towel

• Cover the doorway by pushing the rolled towel firmly along the base of the door

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗧, 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟

If you're ever unsure, the safest move is still to leave the room sealed as best you can and call a licensed snake catcher rather than trying to manage it yourself.

31/08/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘

I grew up hearing it a lot....

My dad loved wildlife but hated snakes, and he killed many.
He was once accidentally bitten by a brown snake when he was out bush, thankfully it was a dry bite.

As a kid I believed the only good snake was a dead snake too because that's what dad said.

Fast forward thirty odd years and I've ended up working with snakes instead of against them.

I've lost pets to snake bites
I've also saved snakes from dog, cat and human attack.

I believe I'm not fully bias towards snakes, I've seen both sides and had the lived experience of what a snake can do to the things you love.

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗩𝗦. 𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗗: 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠?

The fear of snakes is real.

• Ophidiophobia (the phobia of snakes)
And
• Snake Detection Theory

Both are real, measurable, and it's a reflex.

Hatred of snakes is a different thing.....
It's largely a belief, but where does the belief actually come from?

It's been studied repeatedly, with the same result every time:

• People who know more about snake biology and behaviour hold more tolerant attitudes towards them.

• People who know less default to blanket hostility.

Studies found versions of the same pattern again and again....

Lower education around snakes and less exposure were consistently linked to more negative, more hostile views of snakes and the strongest negative opinions tend to come from the people with the least actual knowledge of snakes

By no means do I mean to come across as dismissive of people who are scared of snakes, or who have suffered a negative experience involving one.

It's very understandable where those feelings come from, and they're valid.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔

A study reviewing hundreds of news sources on a single snake species found the vast majority contained misinformation, most of it wrapped in sensational language.

Snakes get covered when something goes wrong, so the only story most people ever hear is the worst-case one.

That's not a reflection of how often snakes are actually a problem.
It's a reflection of what makes a headline.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗦?

Growing up in Mitiamo, we were surrounded by ag farming.
Many farmers very much disliked snakes.
It's easy to understand why, given the perceived or experienced risk to themselves, their livestock, and their working dogs.

Recent research data says farmers are getting more out of snakes than they realise!

Rick Shine (evolutionary biologist at Macquarie University) published research in 2024 looking specifically at what Eastern Brown Snakes are worth to Australian agriculture.

Brown snakes are rodent specialists as adults, and Shine's team estimated that brown snakes increase rodent offtake on farmland enough to boost grain yields by around 3 percent.

Across southern Australia's grain production, that 3 percent works out to somewhere over 500 million dollars a year.

One farmer estimated he personally saved several thousand dollars a year just from snakes keeping mice numbers down on his property.

A natural way to control rodents:
• No chemicals.
• No poisons.
• It's free help.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘

On average Venomous snakes are responsible for less than 3 human deaths annually compared to farm accident related deaths.

From 2019 to 2025, 427 people died in farming accidents in Australia. (Approx one death every week)

𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗢 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦!

Some of the most important drugs in modern medicine started as snake venom....

The two biggest examples:
• Blood pressure medication
• Heart medication

Components from taipan and tiger snake venom have been studied for their potential to control bleeding and treat haemorrhage.

Natriuretic peptides isolated from taipan venom have been explored for treating congestive heart failure.

Tiger snake and taipan venom components have also been used in research into muscle regeneration.

The same biological weapon that can end a life is also being turned into treatments that save them.

𝗦𝗢 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗗?

• A pet lost.
• A scare with a child.
• A story passed down from someone.
• A cruel prank involving a snake.

All understandable feelings, most of them born out of love for the things we're trying to protect.

Something I've learnt to do over time when working with snakes and other wildlife (whether my own pets or wild animals) is to separate feelings from facts. Feelings aren't the same as facts, and the facts don't support "the only good snake is a dead snake."

Negative feelings towards snakes can be valid, but it isn't a free pass to harm them.

• Farms run better with them.
• Medicine is better off for having studied them.
• Ecosystems fall apart without them.

You don't have to love snakes, but next time you hear or read "the only good snake is a dead snake," it's worth asking "why"....

31/08/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟

I wanted to post this a month ago, but I just had to feel certain of my decision.
It took till now for me to post about it ...

Tomorrow marks the official first day of spring, which is also the timestamp we use for the start of snake season....

That brings me to this post!

Not only will I be taking this season off, I've decided I'm wrapping up with residential snake catching.....

I guess you could say ... I'm retiring. 🤷

𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗗... 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬!

I'm going to shift my focus on education, workshops, displays, my consultancy work for business, and assisting with research and field projects.

It's something that's been on my mind for a while, but everything that happened this year, including losing my mum in June, has cemented the decision.

I'm also nearly 40 and my body isn't cooperating.

I'll retain my licenses, I just won't "be on call" to catch snakes in people's backyards.

I'll keep up my social media and website for now, and I do plan to rebrand with a fresh name and logo down the track. No rush on that one.

I've also agreed to mentor another snake catcher, so you'll see us floating around from time to time. I will be introducing them in the coming weeks :)

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧'𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦
I've been putting measures in place around the phone number and contact details. I just need a bit more time and mental stamina to get it all sorted.

Bendigo has a couple of other catchers around, so I'll make their details as available as I can.

𝟳 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚
I want to say thank you to everyone who's supported me along the way. I've been catching full time for 7 years now, 7 years of giving up every spring and summer......

And all that time I've never been bitten which is nice!

Snake catching takes a lot out of you, and it's time I got some of that back, my hobbies, my family, my pets.

I've pretty much ticked every box snake catching had to offer, and my ethics and goals don't really line up with the main service Greater Bendigo Snake Control has offered anymore.

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗
What I enjoy most is talking about snakes, educating people, and contributing to research.

There are some exciting opportunities ahead for me on that front, including collaborating on a research paper about brown snakes. I'm also committed to assisting with some other research projects as well.

Anyway, I'm still here. I'll keep posting, keep chipping away in the background, and make the admin adjustments I need for stepping back and moving forward.
Cheers everyone!

30/08/2026

𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡 𝗖 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦: 𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦

If you've heard that Vitamin C can counteract snake venom in dogs or cats, it's worth thoroughly researching it.

The idea comes up fairly often, usually framed as a way to save time and money if a vet isn't close by.

The Vitamin C snakebite remedy dates back to the 1930s.
It was also being promoted around the same era as a cure for everything from tuberculosis to cancer, and has stuck around in some corners of alternative and holistic pet care ever since.

Antivenom, by contrast, is the only treatment that has gone through rigorous testing and trials specifically for snake envenomation, and it's the only treatment vets rely on for a reason.

Vitamin C has never been through that same process.

There's no clinical trial, no controlled study, and no peer-reviewed research examining Vitamin C as a treatment for snake bite in dogs or cats.

Whatever claims exist come from anecdote, not evidence.

Most Australian snake venom works through neurotoxins that shut down the nervous system, causing paralysis.

Vitamin C's known properties, as an antioxidant and reducing agent, don't align with that process.
There's no established mechanism by which it would interrupt neurotoxic venom activity, which is likely part of why it's never been picked up as a genuine area of veterinary research.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦?
The most likely explanation is dry bites.
A dry bite is when a snake bites but injects little or no venom, meaning the pet was never in serious danger to begin with.
Vitamin C ends up getting credit for a recovery it had nothing to do with.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗞𝗦
There are also real practical risks worth weighing when it comes to the use of Vitamin C in snake bitten pets...
Vitamin C is acidic, and injecting it intramuscularly is genuinely painful. Injecting anything correctly also takes proper technique.

There are different injection routes:

• Subcutaneous
• Intramuscular
• Intravenous

Each one requires knowing exactly where and how deep to go.
An untrained person attempting this on a distressed pet risks hitting the wrong tissue entirely, or worse, puncturing an organ.

Oral dosing carries its own risk too.
If a pet has been envenomated and is heading toward respiratory or cardiac distress, forcing liquid into their mouth can cause them to aspirate it into their lungs, or choke.

A pet already struggling to breathe or swallow is in no state to safely take an oral solution.

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦
In Australia, rural pet owners are often a long way from the nearest vet, which is a real and understandable reason to want something on hand.
But an untested home remedy isn't a substitute for that gap, and preparation matters more than what you might give after a bite.

The reality is that distance dramatically increases the risk of a fatal outcome for a pet bitten by a venomous snake.

If you are a long way from help, have an actual emergency plan ready before you need it.

Know your nearest vet clinic that stocks antivenom, save the number, know the fastest route, and have a way to keep your pet calm and still on the way there.

Preparation before the bite matters far more than anything you could give after one.

28/08/2026

𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗗, 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗗

"Let the focus of your work be about the snakes, not the lens"

I doubt this will get nearly as many shares, or even get "copied and pasted" by other catchers, compared to my call out fee post.

A majority of snake catcher social media pages see the same post over and over....

A venomous snake held up, sometimes on a hook, sometimes just tailing, usually accompanied by some sort of caption about how big it was, how "beautiful" it was, how it was "a beast of a brown," so on and so on.. Lather, rinse, repeat...

Those shots get a lot of likes, but rarely get a second thought about what it's actually doing to the animal....

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 '𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗜𝗘
The snake isn't posing, but it's being forced to.
In these situations when a snake selfies is attempted the snake is trying to figure out what is going on and trying to find the ground.

They're built to be in constant contact with a surface, and read their surroundings partly through surface contact with their belly scales.
When we take that away by holding a snake off the ground, it can cause it to feel disoriented and stressed, particularly when we do this with elapids.

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 '𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡'?
"Correct Orientation" isn't just a welfare consideration, it's standard practice in zoos, wildlife rescue and veterinary practice.

It's basic entry level animal handling 101...

There's a principle when it comes to handling any animal, called "correct orientation"
It's sometimes also referred to as;

- Proper or safe restraint.
- Anatomical alignment
or
- BIomechanical Positioning

Correct Orientation is about supporting an animal's body the way its own anatomy is built to be supported, in a position that matches how that species naturally holds and distributes its weight.

For a snake that means keeping the body supported along as much of its length as possible, low and close to a surface and supported underneath.

(A slight exception to this rule is when working with venomous snakes. We have to be very cautious of the animal's movements and balance our own safety with that of the snake.)

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧
Snakes have a long, narrow body cavity with organs arranged in a line.

When a snake is left hanging unsupported from the tail or from a single point near the head, its own body weight starts pulling on that internal structure, and over time or with repeated handling like this, that kind of unsupported hang can put strain on the spine and internal organs that a snake's body was never built to bear for extended periods.

Zoo keepers and vets are trained specifically on this, and correct orientation is drilled into anyone in the industry who's handling reptiles.

How you hold an animal directly affects its physical wellbeing, not just its stress levels.

Snake catching sits in a strange spot here.....dealing with hands on handling and restraint, but not carrying anywhere near the same expectation around handling technique compared to other industries or professions.

The only criticism seen when it comes to handling and control techniques is the subject of tongs..... But that's a whole thing in itself and will be visited in a future topic.

In the world of snake catching there's no equivalent standard being enforced, and very little conversation within the industry about why it should matter.

Anyone trained properly in reptile handling is taught to minimise time off the ground and to keep the animal as low and as supported as possible.

A snake on a hook should be guided close to the earth, not hoisted skyward, and a snake being bagged should spend as little time restrained as the job allows.

The whole idea is to get in, do what's needed, and get the animal settled again as fast as possible, but none of that makes for an exciting photo.

If it needs a vet assessment then forget the photo or video for content... Get to the clinic.

𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗩𝗦 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚
I'm not saying snakes should never be held. It's part of the job.

There is however a difference between necessary handling and performative handling.

Sometimes a catcher may need to check for injury, or safely get it into a bag or container, which means some direct necessary handling...
But the lift for the camera, the extended hold, a second and third attempt at a photo, none of that is really required to do the job.

These snake selfies are added on mostly for content, and the snake pays for it in extra time spent stressed and disoriented, on top of whatever handling the actual job already required.

𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
The snake has likely already experienced potential pre capture stress:

- Being discovered by a person or dog
- Stress during the capture
- Stress post capture from transport
- Being taken out of the bag for photos
- Being released to an unfamiliar area and trying to orientate itself.

Stress loading is what's happening here.

I couldn't tell you how many times I've caught a snake and been asked to stop and pose for a photo, or even been asked to get it back out of the bag.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?
It comes back to the same incentive I've written about before, the dramatic photos get engagement, engagement builds a following... And it's a nice ego booster for many.

Taking photos with snakes is something I've certainly done myself, but over time I've minimised these interactions, trying to be more mindful of the animal's needs versus my wants.

I just feel like snakes aren't getting the respect that they deserve in the industry currently, and it seems to be growing not only in snake catching, but in the YouTuber and vlogging spaces as well.

Am I alone in thinning this? Not really. But it's a viewpoint that doesn't go down well with a lot of catchers who are heavily present in the social media space.

I try to be mindful of the fact that I may be subject to "algorithmic amplification" and "frequency illusion" when it comes to seeing these snake selfies, but there's no doubt that there is definitely a genuine boom happening with people taking up catching, and even outsiders of the industry and also reptile hobby are noticing it.

There is a huge increase in the translocation of snakes nationwide, and more snakes are being subject to unnecessary handling.

Personally, it almost feels like we are starting to go backwards....

When you pay attention to how a snake is being presented and the patterns of comments and shares, it's all consumed as entertainment more than anything else.

I've reached a point where I'm comfortable to query, to be critical, and I know some may see me as hypocritical for it..... In some ways I most definitely am, but I still continue to try to learn and grow.

"Let the focus of your work be about the snakes, not the lens"

🐍

Greater Bendigo Snake Control

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

28/08/2026

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