Snake Season 2026: How Snake Proof Mesh Protects Australian Homes, Chicken Coops and Aviaries This Summer

Quick Summary

• Snake season is here. Snakes become more active across Australia as temperatures rise from spring through to late summer, and backyards, sheds and chicken coops are prime targets.
• Snakes are drawn to food, water and shelter: mice around feed, eggs in the coop, and long grass, rock piles and gaps under buildings.
• Snake proof mesh works by denying access. Our Snake Protection Chicken Mesh uses a thinner wire and a tighter approx. 13mm aperture to stop larger snakes getting into coops and aviaries.
• For juvenile snakes and small gaps (weep holes, vents, subfloors), a finer aperture mesh is needed.
• Installation matters as much as the mesh: bury the base, fix it tight and leave no gaps.
• Snakes are protected in Australia. Never try to catch or kill one; call a licensed snake catcher.

A1 Metal Mesh — Australian owned, shipping snake proof mesh Australia-wide from Melbourne  ·  +61 433 193 942

Why Snake Proofing Matters — and Why Now

For most Australians, a snake in the backyard isn't a question of if, but when. As the weather warms, snakes emerge from winter shelter hungry and on the move, looking for food, mates and cool places to rest during the hottest part of the day.

That often brings them straight to our homes. Chicken coops offer eggs, chicks and the mice that follow spilt feed. Aviaries offer birds. Garden sheds, woodpiles, subfloors and long grass offer shelter. For families with young children and pets, a surprise encounter at the back door is a real risk.

The good news is that most snake encounters around the home can be prevented. Snake proof mesh is one of the most practical, long-lasting ways to keep snakes out of the areas that matter most, and the best time to install it is before the peak of summer, not after you've already found a snake in the coop.

What Is Snake Proof Mesh?

Snake proof mesh is a wire mesh designed with a smaller aperture than standard fencing or chicken wire, so snakes can't push through. Regular chicken mesh has a larger hexagonal hole that keeps poultry in, but does little to keep snakes out.

Our Snake Protection Chicken Mesh is made with a thinner wire and a tighter hole of approximately 13mm, measured twist to twist. That's small enough to stop larger snakes getting into a chicken cage, aviary or small-animal enclosure, while still letting through light and airflow.

For situations where juvenile snakes are a concern, or where you're sealing small gaps around a building, we also stock a smaller-hole stainless steel option for added strength and corrosion resistance.

Where Snakes Get In: The Weak Points Around Your Property

Snakes don't need much room. They will exploit any gap they can fit their head through, so snake proofing is about finding and closing every weak point. The most common entry points include:

• Chicken coops and runs — gaps in the wire, loose joins and unprotected floors.
• Aviaries and small-animal hutches — standard bird wire is often too open.
• Subfloors and underfloor areas — gaps between the ground and the building.
• Weep holes and vents — small openings in brickwork and walls.
• Under doors and sheds — worn seals and uneven ground.
• Garden fence lines — gaps at the base where the ground dips.
• Pool fencing and play areas — where kids and pets spend summer outdoors.

How to Choose the Right Snake Proof Mesh

The right mesh depends on what you're protecting and which snakes are common in your area. Here's a quick guide:

Material matters. Galvanised mesh is a cost-effective choice for most backyard coops and runs. In coastal, humid or high-exposure areas, stainless steel will outlast galvanised and keep its strength for years. Our guide to woven wire mesh for corrosive environments explains the difference in more detail.

How to Snake Proof a Chicken Coop

Chicken coops are one of the most common places Australians find snakes, usually because snakes are following mice or looking for eggs. To snake proof a chicken coop properly:

• Line the walls and door with snake proof mesh, not standard chicken wire.
• Protect the floor. Lay mesh under the coop or bury it around the base so snakes can't dig or slide underneath.
• Overlap and fix every join tightly with wire ties or staples, with no loose edges.
• Seal around doors, hatches and roof lines, where gaps are easy to miss.
• Control rodents by storing feed in sealed metal containers and cleaning up spills daily.
• Collect eggs daily so there's less to attract snakes in the first place.

How to Build Snake Proof Fencing Around Your Yard

Complete snake proof fencing around a whole property is a bigger job, but it's often worthwhile for rural blocks, properties near bushland, or yards where children play. A commonly recommended approach is:

• Height: mesh around 1 metre tall above ground.
• Bury the base: set the bottom of the mesh at least 15–20cm into the ground, so snakes can't push under.
• Angle it outwards: a slight outward lean at the top makes the fence harder to climb.
• Keep it clear: trim vegetation away from both sides so there's nothing to climb over.
• Close the gates: gates need a mesh-lined bottom edge and a tight fit with the frame.

Fencing is only as strong as its weakest point. One gap at a gate or a dip in the ground can undo all the work.

Make Your Yard Less Attractive to Snakes

Mesh works best alongside good yard habits. Before summer:

• Mow lawns short and trim shrubs back from the house.
• Clear woodpiles, rubbish, sheets of iron and rock piles.
• Keep pet food and bird seed in sealed containers.
• Fix leaking taps and remove standing water.
• Deal with any mouse or rat activity quickly.

If You Do See a Snake

All native snakes are protected in Australia, and most bites happen when people try to catch or kill them. If you see a snake:

• Keep your distance and keep children and pets away.
• Don't try to move it yourself. Call a licensed snake catcher in your area.
• If someone is bitten, call 000 immediately, keep them still and calm, and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. Don't wash the bite site.

Choosing the Right A1 Snake Proof Mesh

A1 Metal Mesh supplies snake proof mesh and related fencing products to homeowners, poultry keepers, bird breeders, farmers and builders across Australia. Explore our Snake Proof Mesh range, or browse our wider Fencing Mesh, Welded Wire Mesh Rolls and Stainless Steel Woven Wire Mesh for perimeter fencing and sealing smaller gaps.

Not sure which mesh suits your job? Send us your application and we'll recommend the right aperture and material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get ahead of snake season. Protect your coop, aviary and yard before summer peaks. Explore the Snake Proof Mesh range, or contact us with your project details for a tailored recommendation.

Australian owned · shipping Australia-wide from Melbourne · +61 433 193 942