It's the time of the year to keep an eye out for snakes.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said with the warming weather snakes were emerging from a period of reduced activity to find food and mates.
However, senior wildlife projects officer with the department Abby Smith said snakes usually tried to avoid people.
Most bites happen when they try to defend themselves if they feel threatened by people trying to capture or kill them, she said.
Ms Smith said it was best to leave snakes alone and keep dogs on a lead if out walking them and supervise children closely in areas where snakes were more likely to be.
Other tips she gives are to wear long pants, proper shoes and, if in the bush, carry a mobile phone and snake bandages.
Around the house maintain lawns and clean up piles of rocks and timber, sheets of metal and building materials.
Bird aviaries attract rodents that snakes like to eat.
Ms Smith said it was best to call a licenced snake catcher if a snake was seen on your property and, if somebody did get bitten, to call 000 immediately.
Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act and capturing, harming or killing them is illegal.
Youth crime operation
A police operation will target youth crime in Baw Baw these summer school holidays. Police said Operation Eclipse aims to prevent youth-related crimes including: assaults, including robberies and anti-social behaviour; vehicle-related crime...