1800POSSUMS
Every day we receive calls from people with many different questions but the one that comes through most commonly is “Do you know how to get rid of possums in my roof?”. Of course this is our specialty and after a quick chat we can usually establish what’s involved in possum removal from their building and the repairs required to keep possums out permanently. To most people’s surprise we manage to carry out the process without possum traps and without climbing into the roof space.
Many people with flat roofs assume it is difficult or impossible to remove possums as they cannot be reached easily and may require special tools or works at night. As difficult as the job may be, our team of experienced possum people can manage any type of roof, wall or subfloor with possums living in it. Our unique one-way possum doors are designed to attach to your building so possums can leave via them and find a new home and stop causing sleepless nights or damage inside your roof.
Unfortunately we often receive calls from people dealing with possums ruining their gardens by eating their favourite roses or other decorative plants or veggie patches. We have plenty of advice in these situations so I thought it may be worth writing some down for you. There was a botanist from the royal botanical gardens in Melbourne (https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne/attractions/fauna) asked once “What plants do possums eat?”. The short answer was “It’s easy to list what they don’t eat”. Of course possums will have their favourite plants in your garden and depending on what and where it is there are some solutions that will help deter possums. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee any of these as possums are as agile as monkeys and as persistent as a honey badger (https://youtu.be/c36UNSoJenI ).
Often find the problem is with large trees that a group of possums are spending their nights eating and defecating from, creating a mess of possum poo across paths and pavers, it becomes very annoying to clean each morning simply to allow kids and parents to enjoy the space. Sheet metal or Perspex tree wrap will prevent possums from being able to climb the tree and will have them moving on to another feeding tree very quickly. This method works for stand-alone trees only, they must be separate from other trees, power lines or roofs and walls, it’s useless if they can access the tree. The sheet is attached to the tree carefully allowing some room for growth.
If the problem is relating to an area in your gardens like a veggie patch or the roof of a pergola perhaps, there is a trick that we have some success with but still can’t give guarantees, it comes back to the IQ of your local possums. You will read many stories online of dog or feral cat hair being used to deter possums, we hear many of this method failing. I can only compare it to the method of using snake poo to deter rats in your roof. Good luck collecting snake poo for that job. The only trick we have seen work on many occasions is the old fake owl on a stick! Yes that’s why you will see plastic owls in backyards and on the shelves of your Bunnings store ( https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/garden/pest-control/fake-decoy-owls ). The owl is a possum’s most common predator but they aren’t silly, the possums I mean. Make sure the owls you choose are as lifelike as possible with eyes that glow, head that bobbles or wings that flap, you have to fool the possum to scare them off. Once again this advice comes with our outdoor disclaimer of no guarantee. We have seen possums sit ontop of average looking fake owls so give it a go and if you have a real owl around, keep it happy.
When it comes to smaller decorative or edible plants you’re in luck (kind of). This is one we have a little more confidence in (outdoor disclaimer applies still). This product, is great, we make our own which will be available for purchase once we refine it but for now try this. Poss Off ( https://www.richgro.com.au/products/natural-protection-gardens-pests-and-diseases/beat-a-bug-poss-off/ ) It makes the plants taste like hot curry to a possum. The product is organic but they claim not suitable for edibles. I think they are just being safe but that’s your call, perhaps wash and eat.
Let’s get back to what we can guarantee. Possum Removal is stage one of our job and the easiest part, possums leave each night so removal is a natural process. The most important part of our job is possum proofing buildings to ensure they are kept out of your roof or walls. Searching for and repairing entry points about the size of a tennis ball or bigger is vital as possums will spend over a year trying to return to what they think is their home.
When we possum proof buildings we use materials that possums cannot chew or scratch through like aluminium flashing’s, cage or occasionally hardwoods to prevent their return. Our repairs are designed to last the life of the building so if maintenance is kept up and you don’t change the outside of the building you won’t have possums again. We often advise owners of deterioration that may cause longer-term issues with their building to have repairs carried out and keep possums at bay permanently.
To finish up I want to outline our feelings on trapping possums. This is just not necessary in 99% of cases and here is why. Firstly it’s illegal to trap ringtail possums even for a homeowner. Now that’s going to cause problems if you can’t be sure what type of possum is in your roof. The next thing to know is even if you do trap a possum there are huge fines for relocating possums. The law states 50m and on the same property is as far as you can go with your unwanted guest. As we mentioned earlier possums leave your building every night is no use in trapping a possum and letting it go on your front lawn without making sure you have restricted it from re-entry. So with that in mind if you still want to know how to trap a possum, first step (ask someone else) and then get ready for a distressed animal banging and crashing around inside the trap within your roof. When you get the courage to remove the trap make sure you do so when it’s still dark so the possum can be released immediately back to its territory. Easy.
I hope this article has helped you understand the role of a possum person. Let us know if we can help. 1800possums.