While most wild animals do not generally choose urban areas as suitable habitats, some snakes are very comfortable setting up home in and around South Australian homes. Human habitats provide ample close to ground cover for snakes in a number of ways.
In Australia, snakes sometimes slither into suburban backyards and homes. When the weather gets warm, they lounge in the sun.
In fact, it's fairly common for snakes to make their way into homes and commercial structures through small holes and cracks. Snakes can easily make a home in a crawl space, but they're also quite capable of moving into your attic or any room of the house for that matter.
It is rare that a snake will move into a home, and they are generally found inside when they have come in looking for food or shelter.
The mice will attract rat snakes, who would actually help out, if you can tolerate them, he said. “When someone calls and says they have a snake in their house, I almost always predict that it's going to be a rat snake, that's the most common snake that gets in people's houses,” Sollenberger said.
Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.
"Generally, they're found in basements and crawl spaces, but specifically areas where there is active sun during the day for them to warm up and shelter from predators such as piles of tarps or blankets, cardboard boxes, or storage containers, as well as in the rafters of your basement or around water pipes."
According to experts, unfortunately, it can happen. Not only can snakes come up through the toilet, but other critters like rats, squirrels, and tree frogs can too. However, this is not a very common occurrence, so you can breathe a sigh of relief.
If you find a dry, scaly sheet of the skin or a crumpled heap somewhere close to an entrance into the walls of your home or small space areas. If you are inspecting a dusty area or crawl space, you might notice slither tracks that indicate where a snake has traveled. Snakes have a distinctive smell that is noticeable.
Snakes can enter garages and basements through drain pipes or a crack under the door. Door sweeps and garage door thresholds are easy and inexpensive ways to seal openings that can allow snakes inside. Even pet doors can be an entry point for snakes.
"A snake may burrow into bedding to seek warmth. If you have a vent under or near your bed, snakes will likely hide there for warmth and to feel safe." And since snakes are such skilled hiders, the first sign that one is cozying up under your bed may come from your ears tipping you off that they're hiding out.
Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.
South Australia
Most of the venomous tend to be in this area. This is because it receives large amounts of sun but at the same time allows for enough cover for protection.
Remember snakes do not usually live in colonies, so you could have a solitary snake. Just because you saw one, there is no need to panic and think that you have a house infested with millions of snakes.
Sprinkle oils: Some essential oils deter snakes because they don't like the smell. Examples include cinnamon, clove, and eugenol. Use DIY repellents: Repel snakes using DIY solutions including ammonia, human hair, and vinegar.
However, like most pets, they can accidentally find their way into your home at any time. Because snakes rarely nest, getting rid of one in your yard or home can be as simple as waiting it out. Once the weather changes or the snake is in need of food, it will usually leave on its own.
When snakes excrete waste, it is actually a mixture of feces and urine that looks white and is more of a liquid than a solid, much like bird droppings. The pests' waste may contain bones, hair, scales, and other indigestible materials leftover from meals.
Brown tree snakes have them too. This helps them create a fold where the belly scales meet the small scales covering their backs. This fold, called ventrolateral keel, grasps the slightest irregularity on trees and walls.
The short answer is yes, snakes can climb walls. But not all snakes are made for climbing walls. Some species that are fossorial and spend much of their time underground or under things on the ground are not able to climb walls, and do little to no climbing of anything else.
Ammonia is a common snake repellent. Snakes hate the smell of ammonia and won't come near it. Soak rags in ammonia and place them in unsealed plastic bags. Leave the bags where you usually see snakes to keep them away.
It's likely that most snakes won't choose to go near dogs. They're bigger, noisier, and more of a hassle than a good snack. Simply by having your dog around, you will likely help to keep snakes away.
Use Natural Predators
Snakes have a few natural predators that can help keep them away. Common snake predators include cats, raccoons, pigs, turkeys, guinea hens, and foxes. Keeping any of these animals around your home will help deter snakes from coming near.