Possums

Possums of the Granite Belt include:

• Trichosurus vulpecula Common brushtail possum (C)
• Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common ringtail possum (C)

Living with Possums

Possums on the roof can be extremely noisy! To eliminate possums accessing your roof, prune overhanging branches back from the house and attach an 80cm diameter disc over the wire close to your building so that they can’t access your roof via power lines.

Possums in the roof are even noisier! To deter possums living in your roof, some natural suggestions that have been suggested include - cloves or garlic, camphor or naphthalene (but not both together). A bright light on during the day may also help.

Removing uninvited guests? First, confirm it is a possum and not a rat or mouse? Rats and mice make scratching, chewing and skittering noises, whereas possums make heavy, thumping sounds when walking and distinctive guttural growls, screeches and hisses and coughs when disturbed. Find out for sure by looking inside the ceiling with a flashlight during the day, or observe your house just on dark when the possum is likely to emerge to feed.

Find out where the possum is getting in, keeping in mind that more than one place may be involved. On a fine night between dusk and 10pm, while the possum is likely to be feeding, make the necessary repairs to prevent entry. Any young should be with the mother either in her pouch or on her back, however, if you happen to trap one inside accidentally, you will soon enough be alerted.

Liberally splash the old entry areas with a strong smelling substance such as disinfectant, camphor or naphthalene to destroy the scent, otherwise the possum will try and re-enter.

Possums can get stuck in chimneys. Wire mesh placed over the top of your chimney will prevent possums entering your chimney. To assist a trapped possum, provide a rope down the cavity for the possum to climb up.

Nurture your new friend. Research has proven that relocating possums does not solve the problem for you or the animal, providing an alternative home in the way of a wooden nest box is a more effective alternative. Possums can be encouraged to stay in our yard by providing a waterproof nest box placed four to five metres above the ground.