Always disturb the garden and mulch piles with a long stick before putting your hands in. Teach your children to do the same before retrieving stray balls or toys from the garden.
Wear thick gloves when gardening
Wear long pants and covered footwear when walking through long grass
Remove rubbish piles which attract rodents and piles of building materials such as timber and sheets of tin which provide shelter for snakes.
Shake boxes and storage containers before putting your hands in. If a snake is inside, you should hear it move.
Clean up leftover dog and cat food, bird seed etc. These attract rodents which in turn attract snakes.
Be aware that when you install ponds and other water features in your yard you are attracting an abundance of wildlife, including snakes.
Be aware that caged birds and chickens attract rodents. Many species of snakes will happily eat all three animals.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A SNAKE ON YOUR PROPERTY
Never attempt to catch, corner or kill the snake. 95% of all snake bites occur whilst attempting this.
Always remove children from the vicinity of the snake as calmly and quickly as possible.
Keep dogs and cats away from the snake.
Never place yourself between the snake and your pet. Hose your pet with the garden hose to keep it away from the snake.
Call a licenced snake catcher and keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance until the snake catcher arrives.
Remember that no snake hunts humans, cats or dogs. However, they will defend themselves vigorously if confronted and/or threatened.