What to do if a snake is in your house

Make space, not a trap

Do not approach, touch, chase or try to kill the snake. If you can leave the room safely, do so. Close an internal door only if you can reach it without moving towards or past the snake. Never put yourself at risk to contain it.

Watch from a safe position if possible, but do not follow a snake into a roof, cupboard or other confined space. If it disappears, tell the catcher the last place and time you saw it rather than moving furniture or searching by hand.

Guidance: Queensland Government: snakes in the home

Tell the catcher what has happened

Have your suburb or town, postcode and exact address ready. Explain whether the snake is still visible and which room it is in. Mention access restrictions, children or animals nearby, and anything that could affect safe entry.

Ask whether the catcher can attend, what the total fee includes and what to do while waiting. An online listing or service-radius circle is not confirmation that someone has accepted the job.

• Location: town, postcode, address and access instructions.
• Last sighting: room, hiding place and approximate time.
• Booking: availability, expected arrival and full fee before dispatch.

Do not get closer for a photograph

A photograph is not worth a bite. Share an existing image if you already have one, but do not approach, restrain or disturb the snake to obtain an identification. The national snake guide is educational, not a way to decide that an animal is safe to handle.

Guidance: Logan City Council: snake safety

If anyone may have been bitten

Call 000 and ask for an ambulance immediately, even if the person feels well. Keep them still and follow the operator's instructions. Do not wait for a catcher or a species identification.

Guidance: healthdirect Australia: snake bites

Common questions

Who do I call if there is a snake in my house?

Call a licensed snake catcher. 1800 4 SNAKE (1800 476 253) answers 24 hours a day and tries to put you through to a listed catcher who covers your suburb. You can also search your town or postcode on this site for local catcher contacts. If anyone may have been bitten, call 000 first.

Should I call the council, the RSPCA or the police about a snake?

For a snake inside a home, a licensed snake catcher is usually the right call. Some councils keep lists of local catchers, but councils generally do not remove snakes from private property. Call 000 only if someone may have been bitten or is in danger.

Can I get a snake out of my house myself?

Do not try. Many bites happen when people try to catch, move or kill a snake, and native snakes are protected wildlife. Keep your distance, keep children and pets away and let a professional handle it.

What if I can no longer see the snake?

Do not move furniture or search by hand. Tell the catcher where and when you last saw it. They can advise whether a search is worthwhile and what to do in the meantime.