Across the Lowveld, snakes are on the move again
“We are already seeing an uptick in the number of calls about snakebite as the weather warms up across the country.”
With spring’s rising temperatures and more abundant food supply, all of the Lowveld’s 76-odd snake species are out and about and starting to hunt for food again, increasing the chance of encountering them on your property or in your home.
Dr Cindy Stephen of the Poison Information Helpline said, “We are already seeing an uptick in the number of calls about snakebite as the weather warms up across the country.”
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After their long period of inactivity in winter, snakes are starting to hunt for small animals and birds commonly found in and around human habitations. Frogs, bird chicks and eggs, rodents, and lizards, including geckos, can attract snakes to our homes.
Knowing what to do and how to react when finding a snake can save a lot of unnecessary stress and prevent traumatic experiences.
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According to the African Snakebite Institute (ASI), there is nothing that repels snakes. The best way to prevent them from entering residential gardens and homes is to reduce the amount of suitable prey and suitable hiding places.
The ASI warns it is inadvisable to have piles of bricks, rocks, firewood and building rubble lying around for too long. In addition, trees and creepers growing against buildings can give snakes access to open windows. Bird feeders, chicken coops, water ponds and water features attract frogs and rodents which in turn can attract snakes.
“The most effective way of keeping snakes off your property is to seal it off, Use one-metre-high shade cloth which should be fixed to an outer fence to form a visual and physical barrier,” the ASI advised.
Entry gates, and especially small holes and gaps in perimeter fences and gates, should be sealed off.
If a snake enters your house or garden, and you are not comfortable removing it yourself, go to the ASI snakes app (https://bit.ly/snakebiteapp) to find a snake catcher in your area.
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Once you have contacted the snake catcher, a few common sense steps can help.
• Keep children well away and lock up cats and dogs.
• Snakes are quick to disappear and slip away, so if you can keep an eye on it from a safe distance (5m or more), it helps the snake catcher to easily locate and capture the reptile. If possible, and safe to do so, take a photo of it, as this will assist in identification, and can be very helpful in decisions about whether to give antivenom or not.
• Do not attempt to catch or kill a snake, unless you have been trained in snake removal and have the correct equipment. Getting close to them can be dangerous as they are unpredictable. Getting too close may result in the snake defending itself by either biting or spitting. Leave snake handling to the professionals.
• Children should be warned to immediately retreat at least 5m away from any snake, and to call an adult if they ever spot one.
• Most dogs and some cats will attack a snake, and this often results in the pet being bitten or spat in the eyes. Take the animal to a vet immediately. Do not waste time washing with milk, or using charcoal or Allergex tablets. These do nothing to save the life of a pet.
• In the unlikely event of a person being bitten by a snake, the best course of action is to get the victim to the nearest hospital with a trauma centre as soon as possible. Do not waste time running around looking for antivenom.
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Emergency protocol in the event of a snakebite
• Keep the victim calm and immobilised.
• Never use a tourniquet on a limb that has been bitten.
• Transport the victim to the closest hospital without delay.
• If the victim stops breathing, resort to artificial respiration or make use of a bag valve mask.
• Call the Poison Information Centre helpline for further advice on 0861 555 777.
• For more details on first aid for a snakebite, visit the ASI’s first aid section on the free app.
Stephen advised, “Also remember to remove any rings or tight-fitting clothes from a limb that has been bitten. Do not cut/squeeze/suck the bite wound as this may cause further harm.”
A fatal snakebite is rare with 10 to 12 deaths reported annually in South Africa. An estimated 3 500 to 4 000 snakebite incidences occur in the country annually resulting in about 800 hospitalisations.
