But Kristie Harris, WIRES Rescue Office Manager, offers advice for MIA residents. 

“If there hasn’t been rain in Griffith for some time, then reptiles may be searching for a water source. If you have a water or food source on your property, such as chook feed or a pond with frogs, then snakes can be attracted by that,” she said

Another possibility is that snakes will be entering brumation  – the hibernation-like state that cold-blooded animals utilise during very cold weather – and they are currently looking for food in order to sustain them over the Winter.

“The best thing to do if a snake enters your backyard is to leave it alone and keep your distance, keeping children and pets well away. Do not try to touch it or contain it,” Ms Harris said.

WIRES doesn’t like to see amateur snake catchers. They say snakes will usually be passing through and be gone within a few hours.

“Keeping your lawn short and yard free of debris will reduce the likelihood of snakes in your yard,” Ms Harris said. 

“If you find a snake in your house, please make sure all people, children and pets are moved into other rooms and kept away until the situation is resolved. If you can safely do so, isolate the snake in the room you found it by closing the doors to the room and putting towels along the bottom of the doors. Call WIRES Rescue Line on 1300 094 737 or fill in the Rescue Form for rescue assistance.”

You can also call WIRES to help rescue an injured snake. 

WIRES also say they need more people in the Wagga region to become volunteer wildlife rescuers and carers.

If you are interested in helping WIRES, you can email them at training@wires.org.au.

For more information, visit the WIRES Website