SNAKES are making an appearance in the Sunraysia area.
Mildura snake catcher Steven Morrow said he has been called out to half a dozen jobs in the past week alone where, snakes were retrieved from people’s lounges and pantries.
“An elderly gentleman recently called me up because a bird of prey had dropped a big brown snake onto his roof,” Mr Morrow said.
“The man heard a thud, ran out and saw a snake rolling off his rooftop.
“Snakes are always there, but you just don’t see them.
“If you see one, walk the other way calmly and contact the police, council, vet clinics or myself.”
But Mr Morrow said understanding snakes was the best way to avoid them.
“There are three main factors that people need to understand: how, why and when snakes get on their premises,” he said.
“They need food, shade and cover and, quite often, they are just on their way from A to B.”
Mr Morrow urged people to eliminate spots for snakes to hide in their gardens.
“Cleaning up rubbish and long grass in your yard is just the start. Look after other areas around your house – kids’ sandpits, dog kennels and pot plants,” he said.
“Snakes get in under doorways, under and over fences and are transported in by cars, cats and dogs.
“You can have a cat with a snake three or four houses down the road who wants to head back home and show mum and dad.
“He’s going to go over a few houses, but, quite often, he might come into contact with a dog and drop the snake in someone else’s backyard.”
Mr Morrow, who has worked in Mildura for the past 10 years, said retrieved snakes were relocated out of harm’s way.
“We take them kilometres away so they don’t come back, but not too far away because we don’t want them to fret,” he said.
Ambulance Victoria’s acting team manager in Mildura John Maher said people should familiarise themselves with snake bite symptoms
“Some common early signs and symptoms may include, but are not limited to, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, inflammation and swelling of the site and limb,” he said.
“Anyone, particularly children, who think they have been bitten by a snake should be taken seriously and treated accordingly as often, initially there may only be a feeling of being brushed with a stick.
Mr Maher said Mildura residents should be mindful that snakes are out and about at night.
“Snakes are nocturnal, so people who walk out to washing lines in their thongs at night should be careful,” he said.
“Also, campers should be careful when they get up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
“It is recommended that all parents and those heading into the outdoors complete an accredited first aid course.”
Mr Maher said a few swift actions could save a snake-bite victim’s life.
“Rest and reassure the victim,” he said.
“The victim should be made to limit their movements as soon as possible as any movement can increase the venom absorption.
“Removing clothing can cause unwanted movement of the victim’s limbs – the preferred option is to cut clothing if necessary to expose the limb.
“Broad elastic bandages are ideal for covering affecting limbs tightly.
“Make sure you can still fit your fingers under the bandage – about the same as you would for a sprained ankle.
“If you don’t have a roll of broad bandage, use a towel or clothing.
“The recommended bandage is known as Coban, however, most first aid kits have crepe bandages. The wider the bandage, the better – 10 to 15 centimetres.
“Splint the limb so as to completely immobilise it, remove jewellery from the affected limb if possible beforehand.”
Mr Maher said help should be brought to the victim in order to keep limb movement to a minimum.
As for what not to do when confronted with a snake, Mr Maher said, “Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake, do not wash or disinfect the wound or apply a tourniquet, do not incise or excise the wound and don’t suck the wound.
“And remember to note the time and location of the incident.”
Snake sightings can be reported to the Department of Sustainability and Environment on 136 186 or Mildura snake catcher Steven Morrow on 0417 167 319.
This article appeared in Friday's Sunraysia Daily 3-2-2012.
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