Living in such a beautiful place in Australia here on the Sunshine Coast comes with the wilder side of things at times. We co-exist with wildlife of all sorts, but the main concern for people is unwanted interaction with snakes with whom we share our environment. Despite the fear that has been ingrained in society over the years, snakes are a vital part of our ecosystem and without them it would collapse. That goes for every living thing, they all play an important role. From our apex predators like birds of prey and crocodiles, larger animals like whales and sharks, to the plankton in the sea and the tiny little bugs that live in the soil. As human beings, unfortunately our role is the one that is out of balance. Interaction and coming into contact with wildlife is an inevetable part of living here, so it is important to be somewhat informed and educated about living WITH nature as apposed to it having to live around us. Once we learn to live with it and co-exist, things become easier, healthier and balance can be achieved.

Australia is home to the most venomous snakes in the world, with 21/25 calling it home. Of 109 or more venomous snakes in Australia,  a third are dangerously venomous, with the rest being small and not normally considered a health risk dependant on the individual. The safest and best thing you can do if you come across a snake is to leave it be! They don't want to be around you anymore than you want them around. (Unless you're like me and you love having your local array of Coastal Carpet Pythons and other species around the house).

In the case of an encounter with snakes in your house, backyard or any place you are concerned about, it is best to call a licensed and qualified snake catcher to come and relocate it, for the safety of the snake and the human/s involved to of course! Snake catchers have the appropriate knowledge, skills and equipment to ensure the safe and proper relocation of snakes. Relocation of snakes and other wildlife without a permit is a cause for concern and is also illegal. It is best for all involved to have a professional come to help you out, it not only benefits you but also the animal. As a local snake catcher and passionate wildlife and environmental conservationist I am experienced, licensed and insured, and with that also comes a great humble attitude!

When it comes down to it, living with snakes is something we have to accept. After all, this is as much their home as it is ours.... However there are things you can implement to discourage them hanging around your home.

- Ensure you keep your yard tidy, garden maintained and your grass mowed. Anything for snakes to make habitat out of for example mulch piles, timber slats, iron roof sheeting lying on the ground, general outdoor household items needs to be kept to a minimum or avoided in general.

- Snakes will normally move on or pass through if food,water and shelter aren't readily available, so making sure you have no pests like rats and mice around will reduce the risk of snakes taking refuge. On that note, Coastal Carpet Pythons are great natural rodent control! And they are not venomous, so if you are not concerned with your pets or children, they are great to have in the backyard.

- If you have pets especially dogs it is best to snake train them to avoid a potentional bite and vet trip. They will instinctively warn you if there is one near by, and training them up to leave wildlife alone is beneficial. Unfortunately for many pets who encounter snakes it can be life threatening for them, the snake and expensive so avoidance and prevention is the best measure.

- It is said there is no guarantee method of snake deterrents, however any animal that has a strong sense of smell even being with a forked tongue, can be discouraged by strong smells. So essential oils like Peppermint oil, Lavender, Frankincense etc can be of possible benefit and do no harm in trying so it's worth giving them a go. Plus.... You'll have the best smelling house on the street and they may even calm your nerves a little bit!

Living in areas adjacent or surrounded by bushland comes with the wildlife too. You can't have one without the other, they keep the bush healthy and living! However building nests in your backyard can come with issues and be quite frustrating. 

A male brush turkey can build a monsterous mound in less than a month, being 2-4m wide and 1m high (excavation and mulching king). This is normally from August through to January, working tirelessly to attract a female so she can lay her eggs once fertilised and the perfectly designed composting pile incubates them. Once eggs have been laid, the nest must not be touched until after the chicks have hatched. The mortality rate for Brush Turkey chicks is only about 1 in 200 making it to adulthood. The best time to have a Brush Turkey trapped and relocated is as soon as you notice it hanging around and raking up materials in your backyard. 

Preventative measures

• Avoid feeding them and leaving any food scraps or rubbish out
• Keep your garden tidy and remove composting materials and leaf litter
• Cover compost heaps, remove or cover empty mounds to discourage others moving in (Tarpaulin, chicken wire, black plastic, shadecloth)
• Use heavy coverings like rocks, gravel and logs over mulch to prevent raking
• A mirror can be placed in a spot of concern which discourages the male brush turkey from nesting due to constant fighting with himself in the mirror (we all have that issue at times...)