Snake Catcher Hornsby

A Hornsby call-out may be at a home, school, shop or shared property. Keep bystanders away and nominate one person to direct Harley to the last known location.

When calling from Hornsby, explain whether the animal is indoors or outside, whether it remains visible, and whether children, pets, customers, livestock or workers are nearby. Harley can then assess the immediate risk and the safest access.

The local mix of bushland reserves, older garages, leafy gardens, the rail corridor, schools and commercial premises means Harley may need directions to a side gate, common area or outbuilding rather than only a street address.

Steep gardens, bushland boundaries and layered decks can make following a snake unsafe; remain on stable ground and report its direction instead.

• bushland reserves: If the snake travels toward bushland reserves, note which side it entered and leave the area undisturbed.
• older garages: Do not place hands, tools or cameras into gaps around older garages; report only what you can see safely.
• leafy gardens: Tell Harley whether leafy gardens is open, enclosed, elevated or difficult to access from the street.
• the rail corridor: Use the rail corridor as a landmark when explaining the last known position; do not move closer to inspect it.
• schools: Identify the safest gate, path or building entrance leading toward schools without approaching the animal.
• commercial premises: Keep people and pets away from commercial premises until the sighting has been assessed.

A sighting does not establish that there is a nest or more than one snake. Avoid assumptions about species, numbers or where the animal has gone; preserve the last reliable observation instead.

• Stop activity near bushland reserves and move away on a clear path.
• Keep pets restrained indoors and prevent access to older garages.
• A safe zoomed photograph may help, but the location is more important than a close image.
• Leave sheds, wall gaps and vegetation undisturbed once the snake disappears.
• If someone may have been bitten, call Triple Zero (000) immediately and follow the operator’s instructions.

Harley’s approach to town-centre properties close to bushland reserves is grounded in more than a decade of real call-outs and NSW General Licence MWL000102655.

The response is adjusted to the animal, the property layout and risks around bushland reserves rather than following a one-size-fits-all procedure.

If access around bushland reserves is unsafe or the animal has gone, Harley will explain the evidence, limitations and sensible precautions. Read about Harley’s training and experience or review the Greater Sydney snake-removal process.