What to do if a snake enters your shed or garage: leave safely, keep others out and share its last known position when you call.
Stop work and leave the space
A snake in a shed or garage may be partly hidden behind tools, boxes or a vehicle. If you see one, leave calmly by the route you already have. Do not open cupboards, shift equipment or try to get a better look. Ask anyone else on the property to stay out of the space, including children and pets.
If the snake is still visible
Note the last position from outside and a safe distance: beside a doorway, under a shelf, near a workbench or next to stored materials. If you can close a door without approaching the snake or trapping yourself, you may do so; otherwise leave it alone. Do not stand at the opening to keep watch if that puts you in its path.
If it disappears behind stored items
Assume it may still be in the area. Moving boxes, reaching into gaps or starting a vehicle to make it leave can put someone unexpectedly close to it. Keep the area quiet, tell the catcher where it was last seen and whether there are multiple doors, rooms or exits. For an active sighting, learn about snake catching and removal help rather than trying to find it yourself.
Useful details when you call
- Your suburb and the safest way to reach the shed or garage.
- Whether it is attached to the house or separate from it.
- The last known position and any large items nearby.
- Whether people or pets might access the space before help is discussed.
After the immediate situation
When the area is safe to use again, consider how stored items are arranged. Clear sightlines, manageable piles and maintained door gaps can help reduce surprise encounters. Rural blocks around Camden and Wollondilly may have multiple outbuildings, so it helps to identify which shed or entrance was involved rather than giving only the street address.
For more general first steps, read what to do when you see a snake on your property. If anyone may have been bitten, call 000 immediately and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
Call 0413 191 844