Do you have a snake hiding in your home? The answer may surprise you.
While many Aussie homeowners say they have never come face to face with a snake inside their household, that may not mean they’re not there.
Experts say that as high as one in two homes in some regions likely house the slithering squatters hidden away without the homeowner’s knowledge.
In parts of southeast Queensland, past surveys have estimated that a third of suburban homes have a snake hiding in their roof spaces, with some snake catchers saying that the true statistics could be even higher.
The rent-dodging reptiles see roofs as idyllic places to seek refuge, especially during the winter months when they enter their brumation period.
The sheltered spaces are often much warmer than external environments during winter, allowing the snake to maintain a more stable and optimum temperature as many bodily processes slow down as the colder weather sets in.
Roof spaces are the ideal home
TV snake expert and snake catcher Tim Hudson from Hudson’s Snake Catching told Build-it the habitat was most popular among carpet pythons, green tree snakes and even the mildly venomous brown tree snake.
“It is quite normal for much of the east coast of Australia to have snakes in the ceiling,” he said.
“Some locations, such as those in the Gold Coast hinterland, I would calculate at least 50 per cent of homes have snakes concealed in the roof.”
“They get in the roofs to find somewhere a bit consistently warmer to rest during their brumation period.”
“Luckily, most snakes that enter roofs can’t normally kill you or cause you damage.”
Fortunately for homeowners, the roof-residing snakes are confined to the sealed-off ceiling space and typically unable to access the habited sections of the house.
And Tim says plenty of measures can be taken to stop snakes from entering the home via its lower levels before winter.
His top recommendation is to install weephole covers around the home’s brickwork to prevent unwanted pests such as mice, bees, cockroaches, spiders, European wasps and snakes from entering the property.
Snake-stopping renovations:
- Install weep hole covers.
- block off any other holes.
- Replace door seals.
- Replace door brushes.
- Check and replace window jams.
- Install flyscreens on doors and windows.
- Fill gaps in brickwork left by shrinkage and expansion.
- Trim back foliage and tree branches at least 6 meters from the property.
However, when it comes to the roof space, Tim says very little can be done to see off snakes.
While you can prevent areas of penetration in the lower areas of your home when it comes to your roof, they can always get in,” he told Build-it.
“It doesn’t matter what your roof is made out of; there are so many gaps and holes they can always find a way in.”
“You can install a steel gutter card if you want to, but I find it usually only prevents the bigger snakes.”
Mutual benefit to new slithery roommates
But while many Build-it readers may be left horrified sharing parts of their home with the scaly guests, their unwelcome presence could be mutually beneficial.
Gold Coast-based reptile catcher Tony Harrison says snakes can help rid the roof space of any rats, which are known to chew through electrical wiring, leading to expensive repairs.
“It really depends on how you feel about them,” he said.
“If you leave the snake there over the winter, you can thin the (rat) population out”.
“And you can have a pet python in the roof for winter.”
However, if the snake seems to hang around after their winter feast, it may be advisable to have them removed by a professional, as female snakes are known to invite the whole neighbourhood around.
But the downsides can also be pretty unpleasant.
“They can leave waste, which can stain through the ceiling and make a mess visible from inside the house,” he warned.
“And in the spring, if it’s a female, she’ll bring all the boys to her during the breeding season.”
“So one snake may temporarily turn into three or four or a lot more, and if they’re tree snakes, they can form mating balls of snakes.”
