A border snake catcher has already had his fair share of call-outs and the season has only just begun.
Noel Crossman from Hume Pest Control said workers installing National Broadband Network infrastructure recently had a close encounter with a brown snake while working in an underground cable pit in Albury.
“The workers got a surprise but they contacted me and I caught the snake,” Mr Crossman said.
Snakes have also been sighted around factory areas, as well as central locations across Wodonga and Albury this spring.
Mr Crossman said recent floodwaters were driving snakes out to look for dry land.
“Snakes may have been displaced due to the water rising and falling so quickly and they will be on the move as it warms up again,” he said.
"There's going to be more snakes about this season because there's more food with frogs and various rodents around."
Mr Crossman, who has been in the snake-catching business for 25 years, urged residents to stay vigilant.
"The best thing to do if you encounter a snake is to stay still or move in the opposite direction," he said.
Eastern brown snakes are the most common in north east Victoria with the occasional tiger snake or red-bellied black snake, which are usually found around wetlands, creeks and rivers, according to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
All three species are venomous, but it is rare for them to bite people.
Most snake bites are received by people who try to capture or kill a snake.
DELWP insists people should not attempt to capture or harm snakes.
Instead, you should call DELWP on 136 186 for further advice, or contact a licensed snake catcher.
Snakes are protected and removal is not a council role. Our staff do not remove snakes.
Residents are urged to keep a close watch when snakes are spotted and call a catcher.
"Don't corner the snake, just keep an eye on it from a safe distance until a snake handler arrives," Mr Crossman said.
"It's much quicker and easier for us if you know where it is because if you take your eyes off them they will make an escape and go into hiding."
Private contractors are available.
For snake catching and relocating, call the numbers below:
Tom Nicholson (Bright) - 0481 285 576
Michael Gibson (Bright) - 0413 378 809
Michael Whipps (Mt Beauty) - 0408 123 801
Jarrod Payne (Mt Beauty) - 0408 126 990
Darren Frankland (Wangaratta) - 0412 754 242
Darren Campbell (Yackandandah) - 0438 623 497
Noel Crossman (Wodonga) - 0412 576 541
Tristan Hamilton (Wodonga) - 0431 530 057
Chris Porter (Wodonga) - 0432 175 513
Below is an interactive map of snake sightings around Wodonga. If you have a confirmed sighting, phone council on (02) 6022 9300 to report the location and we will add it to the map to help keep our community safe.