We spent most of our younger years growing up backing onto the bush. We had alot of snakes in our yard as kids and thankfully no bad incidents to talk about. We were taught to wear shoes where possible, and when walking in scrubby areas to take solid heavy steps. Snakes can't hear but they feel vibrations - most are quite timid by nature and when they feel you coming they retreat. Keep the yard tidy as I remember one year we put our Christmas tree laying down just outside our front door until council clean up and when we lifted it up 6 little baby brown snakes were living underneath!! For some reason when we were kids I remember not really looking for snakes but always being aware and on the few times that I did come face to face with one, I seemed to sense that one was there. I have know idea why that was. Also if you have a dog they can usual let you know that there is a snake around because they bark like crazy. Well ours did. And recently we had a snake here at this house too and our dogs went beserk. I hope this helps. It's about having respect and may the two never meet.