“Do snake removers charge to remove snakes from your home or business premises?”

This is a question we are asked quite frequently on our various social media pages. The answer differs from snake handler to snake handler.

Many enthusiasts offer their services free of charge, while others ask for a donation to cover their costs, the amount being at the discretion of the caller.

Some enthusiasts and most professionals generally charge a fixed call-out fee, whether they catch the snake or not.

Becoming a registered snake remover is a costly process, as the person needs to attend accredited training on how to catch and release venomous snakes and purchase the correct snake handling equipment. By law those doing snake removals must be in possession of a catch and release permit (except KZN) and it needs to be renewed on a yearly basis. A snake remover also needs to have a working vehicle and pay for fuel as well as wear and tear. There is also a health risk for the snake remover, as a serious bite from a venomous snake could easily cost more than R100,000. One such remover, who was bitten by a Boomslang, has a medical bill that is close on half a million rand!

Most snake removers invest a large amount of their time driving to call-outs, and often search for hours without finding any snakes. (Removals are made far easier if the caller keeps and eye on the snake from a safe distance).

The African Snakebite Institute maintains a list of over 600 qualified snake removers on our website here, and on the free ASI Snakes app (http://bit.ly/snakebiteapp).

Read our article on What to do if you encounter a snake in your house, here.