Spring is a peak period for snake activity and sightings in the region are up on past years, especially for red bellied black snakes, eastern browns and the occasional tiger snake.

Eastern brown snakes are in greater numbers now than they were 200 years ago, according to snake safety expert Craig Adams.

“Brown snakes thrive in disturbed habitat. They live in grassed areas, on farms and industrial backblocks,” he said.

“This is one species that has done extremely well in an environment disturbed through agricultural practices and human habitation.”

Mr Adams said brown snakes thrived in open paddocks flooded with sunshine.

“These are active and fast-moving snakes,” he said.

“They live in paddocks where European rats and mice breed and that is their main food source.

“They are also attracted to grain and fruit on farms and to urban and industrial areas where corrugated iron is used or stored.”

Brown snake bites are the most common and the venom can kill a person if the bite is not managed properly.

Red bellied black snakes prefer reeds around wetlands and swamps where they feed on frogs and lizards.

They are particularly common near the Paterson River and in swamplands along the New England Highway.

Mr Adams’ company, Snake and Spider Safety Awareness for Employees, has been working with several Maitland industries in the past few weeks to provide staff with the skills to deal with snakes.

“The aim is to help people take an interest in their backyard and work environment, especially industries that have staff working outdoors who run the risk of coming across snakes every day,” Mr Adams said.

“Research shows that people think they have a reasonable idea of what to do in a snakebite emergency, but often they get it wrong.”

Mr Adams is passionate about snake safety education. He has been involved with the subject for more than 12 years.

“Knowing what to do, how to react and how to remain calm can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.