With the warm weather rolling back around, many Aussies are rolling out their barbecues in preparation for the lovely spring and summer evenings.

It's no surprise; the sizzle of the BBQ and the smells wafting through the air make for an enjoyable evening.

However, a professional has recently sounded the alarm on a possible safety risk hiding in your barbecue grills.

Recently, a homeowner shared their story on social media, recalling their shock after discovering a two-metre-long snake that had taken up residence in the back of their barbecue machine.

Stuart McKenzie, a professional snake catcher from Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers, was called out to the property after the unsettling discovery was made.

Mr McKenzie urges residents to double-check their gardens for unwanted guests and keep their yards nice and maintained. Credit: Facebook/Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7.

'They essentially went to put the gas bottle back inside the barbecue, and when they opened the cupboard, the snake was just lying there,' he said.

In a video posted of the incident, you can see the surprisingly placid snake coiled up on the shelf in the barbecue cupboard as if it were lying in wait for unsuspecting victims.

'Out ya come,' Mr McKenzie said as he carefully pulled the estimated four-year-old reptile from its hiding place.

'Let's get you out of the barbecue and back into the bush.'

He then carefully released it onto a tree, sending it on its way.

Mr McKenzie is all too familiar with this type of situation, saying that he's received a growing number of calls involving outdoor cookers, particularly as the weather heats up.

'The barbecue is essentially a perfect spot for snakes to hang out because if there's leftover food scraps, often the rats come in, so snakes will come in after the rodents,' he said.

'It's also a sheltered area which is still nice and warm and a bit cosy, so it's a perfect spot.'

As such, he advises all homeowners to double-check their gardens for unwanted visitors and maintain their yards.

'It is starting to get warmer, and snakes are on the move, so if you're opening up a barbecue or an outdoor setting or something that has been covered up for three months, maybe just have an extra close look and double-check yourself,' he said.

It's illegal to interfere with, relocate or kill native wildlife in Australia without a permit, so if you find yourself in a similar situation, Mr McKenzie urges you to call a local snake catcher for advice.

'If you do see a snake, don't do anything about it yourself. Just call a snake catcher if you want it relocated.'

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Snake catcher hotlines in Australia can vary by state and region, and local wildlife or reptile organisations typically run them. Here's a handy list, just in case:

• NSW: Sydney Snake Catcher - 1 300 599 938
• VIC: Snake Catcher Victoria - (03) 5975 0481
• QLD: Snake Catcher Brisbane - (07) 3376 9780
• SA: Snake Catchers Adelaide - 0413 511 440
• WA: Snake Catcher Perth - 0434 574 920
• TAS: Snake Catcher Tasmania - 0414 064 972
• NT: Darwin Snake Catchers - 1800 453 210
• ACT: ACT Snake Removals - 0450 210 090

In case of a snakebite or other injuries, it's essential to seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services (dial 000 in Australia) or going to the nearest hospital. Do not attempt to handle or capture venomous snakes yourself.

Key Takeaways

• A professional snake catcher issued a warning after a homeowner discovered a snake inside their barbecue.
• The snake was found to be a carpet python hidden in the barbecue due to the leftover food scraps and a warm, cosy shelter.
• The snake catcher has been picking up a number of snakes from outdoor cookers and now urges residents to double-check their outdoor areas before use.
• It is illegal to interfere with, relocate or kill native wildlife in Australia without a permit, so if a snake is spotted, a professional snake catcher should be contacted for its safe removal.

Members, while we hope this story of a snake in a barbecue cupboard isn't something you experience first-hand, we think it's a good reminder to double-check everywhere before firing up the barbie or putting away any outdoor items.

Stay safe, and happy barbecuing!

 

[Rain72]

Our uninvited guest - a female red belly black - took up residence under the tool cabinet in our garage where it apparently laid and hatched its eggs. We never actually saw it, though my husband's toes were inches away from it on many occasions. But after it returned to the bush, taking most of its young with it, one young was left behind and took up residence in my bedroom. I was heading to bed at 11pm one night and almost stepped on it. It was lying across the doorway. I guess I scared it (not nearly as badly as it scared me!) and it slithered off under the dressing table. It was eventually caught and relocated outside, but I slept with the lights on for a month, despite the snake catcher's assurances.

 

[MariaG]

We had a whole lot of red back spiders emerge from a pipe left in the back yard. Lots and lots of babies suddenly appeared. I had only just finished verbalising to hubby about leaving all this c**p lying around, picked it up to move it and there they came. Frightened the you know what out of me. I just bagged it and took the pipe over to a nearby area of bushland, and left them to their own devices. Hubby didn't get his pipe back. I left it for them as a holiday home.
We have had one experience with a red belly black snake, but it was a juvenile and ran for it's life. We lived and let live.

 

[Ezzy]

My 'first introduction to snakes' was as a baby in a crib on the verandah in Broome, W.A. All l know is that mum came out to see me on the verandah & a snake had curled itself up under my crib. I was never told now she sent the snake on its way.