Stay Safe This Spring: Gardening Around Snakes, Spiders & Hidden Hazards

Why spring brings more garden encounters

As the weather warms up, most of us head outside to weed, prune, plant and clear out what winter left behind. At the same time, snakes become more active as temperatures rise, and spiders settle into the sheltered, undisturbed spots we are about to start moving around.

More time in the garden plus more activity from wildlife means more chances to cross paths. A few simple habits go a long way.

Snakes in the garden

Snakes are not out to get you. Most will move away if given the chance. The goal is to avoid surprising one, and to leave it alone if you do.

• Be careful around long grass and untidy areas. Leaf litter, woodpiles, compost heaps, rockeries and overgrown corners are all good hiding places.
• Don't put your hands where you can't see. Look before reaching under shrubs, into dense groundcover or behind stacked materials.
• If you see a snake, stop and back away. Keep your distance and let it move off on its own.
• Never try to catch or kill it. Many Australian snakes are protected species, and most bites happen when people try to handle them. If a snake won't leave, call a licensed snake catcher.

Spiders hiding around your garden

Redbacks in particular love dry, sheltered, undisturbed spots, which describes a lot of places in the average backyard. Check these areas before you reach in:

• Under potsEspecially pots that haven't been moved in months.
• In the shedCorners, shelves and the gaps under benches.
• Between timber and materialsStacked wood, pavers, sleepers and bags of mulch.
• Shoes, gloves and toolsAnything left outside or stored for the winter.

Simple habit: shake out gloves, boots and tool bags before use, and lift pots and timber with your hands on the outer edges.

Protect your hands and body while gardening

You can't remove every hazard from a garden, but the right clothing reduces how much of you is exposed. Before a big spring clean-up, check you have:

• Gloves matched to the job you are doing
• Closed shoes or boots instead of thongs or sandals
• Long trousers for work in long grass or dense beds
• Long sleeves when pruning, clearing branches or handling spiky plants

Protective clothing lowers your risk, but it doesn't replace careful habits. Keep looking before you reach.

Long sleeves feel too hot?

That's the main reason most of us garden in a T-shirt. UPF50+ cooling arm sleeves keep your arms covered and shaded from the sun while feeling lighter than a long-sleeved shirt. Wear them with your gloves for coverage from fingertips to shoulders.

AS-AQUAClassic cooling sleeves. The easy match for gardening gloves. AS-AQUA COVERAdds a back-of-hand cover for glove-free jobs like watering.

Thorns, splinters and sharp debris

These are the garden hazards you will actually meet every weekend. Rose canes, bougainvillea, citrus branches, splintered timber, broken pots and old wire all turn up during spring clean-ups, and small cuts and punctures on the hands are easy to pick up.

A good pair of gardening gloves can help protect your hands from thorns, splinters, rough surfaces and everyday garden hazards. The key is picking gloves that suit the task:

KameLo gloves for spring garden jobs

606 FloraGuard Long Cuff

Nubuck leather palms, reinforced fingertips and an extended cuff for pruning roses, handling branches and weeding.

Shop 606

605 FloraGuard Short Cuff

The everyday option. A short cuff gives more wrist movement for planting, potting and general garden care.

Shop 605

807-LB Leather Outdoor Gloves

The all-rounder for yard work. Durable cowhide with a secure grip and cotton lining for weeding, clearing and big weekend clean-ups.

Shop 807-LB

708-CG Puncture Resistant

Split cowhide leather for heavier jobs like dense thorns, rough timber and wire fencing.

Shop 708-CG

Want a step up? Our premium LIBERO Nubuck Leather Outdoor Gloves are made for gardeners who spend every weekend outside.

Planning a bigger clean-up? A durable apron keeps your clothes protected from thorny cuttings, rough timber and dirt. The AP-3 Leather Work Apron is a heavy-duty option, or grab the 606 Long Cuff Gloves & CORDURA® Work Apron Bundle to cover your hands, forearms and clothes in one set.

What to do if something goes wrong

Keeping a couple of wide roller bandages in the shed or garden kit means you'll have them when you need them.

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. In an emergency, call 000. For first aid details, follow guidance from healthdirect, St John Ambulance Australia or the Australian Red Cross.