Wagga residents are being told to be on alert for snakes and mosquitoes, attracted to residential areas by the extra water caused from flooding and excess rain.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) public health director Tracey Oakman said floodwaters and warmer temperatures mean an increased risk of mosquitoes carrying Ross River Virus or Barmah Forrest Virus.

“With the water that is around at the moment – particularly when it subsides a bit and we get pools of water lying around – then it is a prime opportunity for mosquitoes to breed, and they will do so rapidly,” she said.

Last year, MLHD recorded 85 cases of Ross River Virus and two instances of Barmah Forrest Virus, Mrs Oakman said.

Both viruses cause similar side effects such as inflammation, joint pain, tiredness and fever, with no treatment medication available. 

Barmah Forest Virus can cause a person to be unwell for a few days.

But Ross River Virus can leave a person suffering from severe joint pain for two to six weeks.

Mrs Oakman said the high levels of rain meant those not close to flood waters should still be on alert.

“Even if your home isn’t flooded you are going to have lots of water around,” she said.

“It’s a good idea to empty out any containers lying around outside that may have filled with water.”

Snake catcher of 15 years Tony Davis said while reptile numbers were usually consistent, flooding meant they were more visible in open areas.

“People will be sticky-beaking around the floodwaters and snakes have been washed from where they have been hiding and camping,” he said.

“People are just seeing more because they are out more.”

While only attending one snake call out since floods began, in 2012 Mr Davis removed ones who had taken refuge in multiple North Wagga homes abandoned during evacuation. 

“People were cleaning up their houses and finding a snake there,” he said.

The best advice to follow if you saw a snake in floodwaters was to “leave it alone” and let it find its way to safety.

“They can bite in the water,” Mr Davis said.