Found a Snake at Home? Stay Calm and Follow These Steps
Found a snake at home? Learn what to do in the first minute, what not to do, snake bite first aid and when to call a snake catcher in Hyderabad.
What you do in the first minute matters most.
Snakes finding their way into homes, gardens and apartment parking areas is more common than most people think, especially during the monsoon. Here's exactly what to do, what not to do, and when to call a snake rescuer.
In the first 60 seconds
Step 1: Stop and step back. Move slowly away, at least 2 metres. Snakes don't chase people; they bite when they feel cornered or threatened.
Step 2: Get everyone else away. Move children and pets to another room and close the door.
Step 3: Keep an eye on it from a safe distance. If you can, note where it goes. Knowing whether it's under the sofa, behind a cupboard or in the garden helps the rescuer find it quickly.
Step 4: Call a snake rescuer. Share your location, where you last saw the snake and, if possible, a photo taken from a safe distance.
While you wait
- Don't try to catch, kill or chase it away. Many snake bites happen when people try to handle or kill a snake.
- Close inside doors to limit where it can go, but only if you can do it safely.
- Block gaps under the door of the room it's in with a towel, if you can do this without going near it.
- Turn on the lights in the area so it's easier to see.
- Don't pour kerosene, phenyl or chemicals on it. This makes the snake agitated and harder to rescue, and it's harmful.
Keeping children and pets safe
Curious children and pets that chase snakes are both at risk of bites. Keep children in a closed room until the rescuer arrives, and remind them never to touch a snake, even one that looks dead. Leash or shut pets away, and take a bitten pet to a vet immediately.
Myths vs facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Snakes will chase you. | Snakes avoid people if given space. |
| All snakes are venomous. | Many, like the rat snake, aren't. Still, never touch one. |
| Garlic, salt or phenyl keeps snakes away. | No proof they work. Clearing hiding spots does. |
| Kill a snake to stay safe. | Trying to kill one often leads to bites, and snakes are legally protected. |
| Cut and suck a snake bite. | Never. Go to a hospital immediately. |
Snakes commonly seen in and around the city
Venomous species found in Telangana include the spectacled cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper. Non-venomous ones like the rat snake are often mistaken for cobras. Since they're hard to tell apart, treat every snake as dangerous and leave it to a trained rescuer.
If someone is bitten
Snake bite is a medical emergency:
- Keep the person calm and still.
- Remove rings, watches and tight clothing near the bite.
- Go to the nearest hospital immediately, or call 108. Anti-venom is the only proven treatment.
Don't cut the wound, suck out venom, tie a tourniquet or use home remedies.
What a snake rescuer does
A trained rescuer arrives with proper tools like a snake hook, tongs and a secure bag. They find the snake, capture it safely without harming it, and check the area for any others. Most can also tell you what kind of snake it was. The snake is then released into a natural habitat away from homes. Save a trusted rescuer's number before you ever need it.
Why snakes come into homes
Snakes usually come in looking for food, water, shelter or a cool place:
- rats and frogs near the home
- piles of bricks, wood, scrap or garden waste
- tall grass and overgrown plants
- open drains, gaps under doors and cracks in walls
- water collecting during the monsoon
How to keep snakes away
- Keep grass trimmed and the area around your home clear.
- Remove debris, bricks and scrap piles.
- Seal gaps under doors and cracks in walls, and cover drains with mesh.
- Control rats, and keep pet food and bird feed indoors.
- Use a torch outdoors at night, especially during the monsoon.
Noticing rats around your home? Take a look at pest control services near you to tackle the problem early.
Call a trained snake catcher
Spotted a snake at home or in your apartment premises? Don't take the risk. FatafatService connects you with verified snake catchers across Hyderabad, including Secunderabad, Kukatpally, LB Nagar, Uppal, Kompally and Miyapur, who remove snakes safely and release them back into the wild.