Urban Wildlife

Snake to human encounters have increased across Queensland over the past four years. As snakes become more active, it’s important for residents and pet owners to understand how to stay safe.

If You See a Snake
Most snakes prefer to avoid people and will move away if given space. If you come across one, stay calm, step back slowly and avoid sudden movements. 

Snakes usually only bite when threatened or cornered. If a snake enters your home, isolate the room, keep pets and children away, and arrange assistance from a licensed snake catcher. Snakes moving through yards are best left undisturbed. 

If You Are Bitten
All snake bites must be treated as life threatening.

If you or a family member is bitten:

• Call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
• Keep the person still and lying down to slow venom movement.
• Do not try to catch the snake, wash the bite, suck the venom, or cut the wound.
• Apply a pressure immobilisation  bandage, if the bite is on a limb:
  - Start over the bite site, then wrap firmly up the limb.
  - Cover the entire limb and apply a splint to keep it still.
• If the person collapses or stops breathing, begin CPR while waiting for the ambulance. 

Reducing Risk Around the Home

• Keep grass low. 
• Remove debris where snakes 
• may hide. 
• Supervise pets outdoors. 
• Seal gaps under doors. 
• A tidy yard helps reduce snakes and the rodents that attract them.

Pets and Snake Bites
Dogs and cats often investigate or chase snakes, putting them at risk. 

Common signs of a snake bite in dogs include collapse (sometimes with brief recovery), lethargy, tremors, dilated pupils, wobbliness, paralysis, irregular bleeding, and dark or bloody urine. 

These symptoms can vary depending on the species, but immediate veterinary attention is critical, even if your pet seems to improve. 

More Information
For additional guidance on snake safety, pet bite symptoms, and prevention, visit reputable Queensland wildlife and veterinary emergency websites or contact your local licensed snake catcher.

Biloela Snake Service 
Rob - 24 hour Biloela and surrounds
m: 0459 759 099
e: biloelasnakeservice@gmail.com

Moura Snake Removal 
Caroline Smith
m: 0498 129 474

Flying fox roost management can be a difficult and contentious issue which involves close collaboration and communication with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

If a flying fox colony is causing concern, Council's ability to assist can be limited by many factors including location, species, colony numbers and breeding cycles.

Council has endorsed a Statement of Management Intent for Flying Foxes(PDF, 300KB) which articulates the approach that Banana Shire Council will take to the management of flying-fox roosts in Banana Shire. Council has also adopted a Flying Fox Management Plan(PDF, 49MB).

Some important points to consider if you are affected by flying foxes are:

• Do not attempt to handle a flying fox as they can carry serious diseases. If a sick or injured animal is found, call 1300 ANIMAL. If a dead animal is found, use a shovel to scoop the animal into a bag and place carefully in your bin.
• Warn children to never touch flying foxes and report any scratches.
• If you believe you have been scratched or bitten, seek immediate medical assistance.
• Avoid disturbing a colony as this can exacerbate issues of noise, smell and mess, can increase health risks and may only result in the problem moving to an even more unsuitable location.
• Heavy penalties may be imposed for interference, harrassment of dispersal without a permit.

Watch these videos to gain valuable insight on how critical flying foxes are to the health of the Australian bushland that supports our native animals including the koala and kangaroo.

More information on flying foxes, including health concerns, is provided on the following websites:

Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation - Flying Foxes

Queensland Health - Bats and Human Health

Council monitors and controls mosquitoes, which not only cause a nuisance but can also spread diseases such as Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus, Dengue Fever and dog heartworm.

Controlling Mosquitoes Around the Home

Please assist in the control of mosquitoes by taking these steps at home:

• Inspect your house and yard and remove any accumulations of water;
• Empty pot plant bases weekly or fills the base with sand to absorb water;
• Bromeliads and other water-holding plants should be washed out weekly;
• Clean roof gutters out regularly and trims back trees that can block gutters;
• Ensure rainwater tanks are screened;
• Keep swimming pools maintained;
• Birdbaths, fishponds and ornamental pools should be washed out weekly and where possible stock with suitable native fish;
• Stock dams with native fish and keep the edges clear of vegetation.

Remember—no water no mosquitoes: A single female can lay up to 200 eggs at a time. Between 10% to 90% of these eggs develop into mature mosquitoes. A flower pot base can support 150 larva or wrigglers!!

Protect Yourself:

We cannot eradicate mosquitoes completely, but we can take precautions to protect ourselves from being bitten.

• Screen all windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes coming inside;
• Mosquitoes are most active at dawn, around late afternoon and just after dusk. If you are outside at these times wear protective clothing, such as a pair of loose-fitting pants and a loose-fitting shirt, and use insect repellent;
• If you live in an unscreened house or are camping, sleep under a mosquito net;
• When mosquitoes are present, spray the rooms, particularly behind furniture and other dark places. After securing screens and closing doors, leave the room closed for half an hour before ventilating;
• Air conditioning, fans and mosquito coils are also effective in protecting you from mosquitoes.

What Council is Doing

Council has adopted a Mosquito Management Plan 2025-2030 to assist in the effective management of mosquitoes within the Shire.

Part of Council's management program to control mosquitoes is the use of larvicide in ponded water. Larvicide is an insect growth regulator specifically targeting mosquito larvae, and is not harmful to people or wildlife.

Fogging or misting of adults is only considered by Council for mosquito treatment when there is a significant public health risk evident. Fogging or misting uses a synthetic pyrethroid specifically registered for the control of mosquitoes in the community. Misting equipment is used early morning or late afternoon, is noisy and may produce a visible mist. The product used is not harmful to people but is toxic to bees and other invertebrates including butterflies. It is also dangerous to fish and aquatic vertebrates. Fogging or misting will only eradicate adult mosquitos in the vicinity of the chemical at the time of application.

Residents have a responsibility to prevent mosquito breeding around their home, and Council will investigate complaints received in relation to concerns over mosquito breeding.

For more information about mosquito control, please contact Council on (07) 49929500 or visit the Queensland Health website.

Swooping birds can be a frightening experience. Native birds, including Australian Magpies are highly protective of their eggs, nest and young and will often 'swoop‘ unsuspecting passers-by if they feel threatened during their breeding season.

The breeding season for Magpies is between July and December, peaking September to October. Swooping lasts about 6-9 weeks, while the chicks are in the nest.

What can Council do?

Council does investigate complaints regarding nuisance magpies on Council-controlled land and will erect warning signs in the vicinity of the swooping zone if needed. If a magpie presents a significant risk to the public, Council can make an assessment to determine suitability for removal.

For birds swooping from private property the duty of care responsibility rests with the property owner.

To report a problem area, please contact Council on (07) 4992 9500 or complete a Magpie Attack Notfication Form(PDF, 89KB).

Please note that all native birds are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and there are serious penalties for taking, harassing or injuring native wildlife, without a Damage Mitigation Permit issued by the Department of Environment and Science.

What can you do?

Like most animals, magpies and other swooping birds instinctively protect their territory, particularly during breeding time. They are protecting their nests, eggs or young from potential intruders. Most birds will swoop within 100 metres of their nest. The likelihood of an attack is increased if they are teased or feel threatened in any way.

There are ways to minimise attacks as follows:

1. Avoid the area and notify council so that signs can be erected to warn others
2. Find the bird and keep watching it when entering magpie territory.
3. If swooped on, don't crouch in fear.
4. Move on quickly – but do not run
5. Cover your head – wear a hat, helmet or carry an umbrella
6. Protect your eyes - wear sunglasses
7. Do not harass magpies! – this only gives them more reason to see you as a threat and may increase swooping
8. Do not destroy nests – they may rebuild, prolonging the swooping
9. Team up with others and travel in a group

Swooping Magpies & Other Birds Hotspots
2022 Season - Updated 13/10/2022

Biloela:

• Site 1: Cnr Auburn St.(PDF, 5MB)
• Site 2: ‘Melton Park’(PDF, 5MB)
• Site 3: Cnr Gladstone Rd & Bell St(PDF, 5MB)
• Site 4: Biloela High School Cnr Gladstone Rd & Hospital Rd(PDF, 4MB)

Taroom:

• Site 1: Lions Park(PDF, 5MB)

For more information about living with magpies, visit the Department of Environment and Science website.