THE backyard is off limits for the Broad family this week - and it's not hard to see why.

Two red-bellied black snakes have taken to fighting in the garden of the Springfield property, and so far attempts to catch them have failed.

Mum-of-two Anita said the snakes, both male, are living under a swimming pool rock but come out regularly to fight over a female. She hopes they can be relocated before one of them wins and the act of mating occurs.

IN PICTURES: Snakes fight it out in backyard



“I’ve had two snake catchers out over the weekend, but by the time they arrived the snakes had slithered back under the rock,” she said.

“We’re definitely not swimming at the moment.”

GOT A SNAKE PIC? Send it in via MMS 0428 258 117

The dry weather combined with high temperatures has sent many snakes slithering into the suburbs in recent weeks, in search of water.

Ms Broad’s house backs onto a nature reserve so she is used to seeing snakes in her yard.

Previous sightings have included a carpet python, green snake and a deadly Eastern brown.

The red-bellied black snake can kill, but it is less venomous than other Australian snakes.

Even so, Ms Broad is staying away.

“I used a long lens to take the photo(s),” she said.

Snake catchers will again attempt to capture and relocate the snakes on Saturday.

Snakes have invaded suburban Brisbane earlier than usual, sneaking into houses as temperatures rise.

The wriggling reptiles have been spotted on Ann St in the CBD, and rescued in numbers at properties from Ipswich to Spring Hill.

Brisbane snake catcher Matt Harley said in the previous week there had been a huge increase in business as snakes looked for shelter.

"With temperatures a bit higher, business has increased, snakes are definitely more out and about," he said.

"It is busy days, no more sleep-ins for snake catchers."

IN PICTURES: Snakes fight it out in backyard



Mr Harley said although numbers were not significantly higher than any other year, snakes were appearing earlier than expected.

"It might be a little earlier this year, it's usually toward the end of September, early October," he said.

The reptile expert said there was no need for fear. He said if people followed a few simple rules they could avoid snakes.

GOT A SNAKE PIC? Send it in via MMS 0428 258 117

"Make sure your yards are nice and clean, there's no rubbish and no places for snakes to use as shelter."

Cashmere resident Kelly Ng was shocked to find a green tree snake in her house. "My 12-year-old son was home sick from school and I was in my office when we saw it scoot across the floor," he said.

"It was only a green tree snake, so it was harmless, but, with kids around, you don't want snakes around and that is why we called the snake catcher," he said.

SNAKES

Carpet Python- Non-Venomous

Large, heavy bodied snake with a highly variable, mottled & blotched pattern and colour.

Eastern Brown Snake- Highly Venomous

Highly variable in colouration and pattern. Colour ranges from pale tan through orange, russet, dark brown & almost black, sometimes with cross-body banding.

Common Tree Snake - Non-Venomous

Sleek slender body with long, very thin tail. Distinctive ridge extends along outer edges of belly making shed skins easily identifiable.

Red Bellied Black - Highly Venomous

Uniform glossy black above along whole body except tip of snout which is paler brown. Belly has red or pink flush, brighter on the sides & paler in the middle.

Brown Tree Snake - Weakly venomous

Slender-bodied snake with a distinctly bulbous head well defined from a narrow neck. Large eyes with vertical pupils.

IN PICTURES: Snakes fight it out in backyard



WHAT TO DO

* If you see a snake in your garden or house, do not try to catch or kill it. Keep pets away and the snake will usually move on.

* If the snake stays around and you want it removed, call a licensed snake handler.

* If a snake is inside the house, close the door of the room it is in and place a towel under the door and call for help.

GOT A SNAKE PIC? Send it in via MMS 0428 258 117

- additional reporting by Kristopher Crane