What to do if you find a snake in your Bali house
Short answer: Keep a safe distance, move people and pets away, watch where the snake goes and call a trained snake handler. Do not try to catch, kill or poke it. If anyone is bitten, go to a hospital immediately.
Updated · Terminator 4 Pest, Bali since 2014
Immediate steps
Stay calm and back away slowly. Do not try to identify the snake by getting close; most bites happen when people try to catch or kill snakes.
Move children and pets out of the room, close the door if you can, and place a towel at the bottom of the door to keep the snake in one place.
Note where the snake is and take a photo from a distance if it is safe. A photo helps a handler decide what equipment to bring.
What not to do
Do not grab the snake with tools, spray it with insecticide, throw things at it or try to herd it with a broom. A frightened snake can strike.
Snakes in Bali
Many snakes found around homes are harmless, but Bali also has venomous species including cobras, pit vipers and kraits. Because it is hard to tell them apart quickly, treat every snake as potentially dangerous.
If someone is bitten
Call for emergency help (112 in Indonesia) and go to a hospital immediately. Keep the person calm and still, keep the bitten limb at about heart level, remove rings and tight items before swelling starts and note the time of the bite.
Do not cut the wound, suck out venom, apply ice, or use a tight tourniquet.
Prevent snakes coming back
Snakes follow food. Reduce rodents and frogs around the house, keep grass and plants trimmed away from walls, seal gaps in roofs and under doors, and clear piles of wood or debris in the garden.
Frequently asked
Will you kill the snake?
T4P uses safe capture and relocation. Our technicians are trained to handle snakes without harming them.
Should I try to catch the snake myself?
No. Most snake bites happen when people try to catch or kill a snake. Keep away and call a trained handler.