Living in the Environment
Living in the Environment

The Times Real Estate

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Discovering that you have possums living in the backyard can be pretty exciting. That is, until you realise these native animals are fluffy little eating machines that rapidly convert all your garden produce and flowers into a never-ending rain of possum poo!

Indeed, possums are not always as agreeable as they seem in classic Australian children’s literature, but they’re a protected species, which means we need to handle them with thoughtful care. 

So what can you do about possums living in your roof before you go marsupial mad? 

Why Possums Aren’t the Best Housemates

It’s important to remember that as more and more bushland is cleared to make way for modern suburban life,  it’s getting harder for possums to find a home in their natural habitat. We need to find a way to live together! But it’s true, they can make challenging house guests.

They’re noisy at night

In search of a cosy place to live, possums - especially brushtail possums – can make their way into your roof cavity to set up their own living quarters. Unfortunately, their boisterous nocturnal lifestyle can make it difficult for human housemates to sleep! They may also knock things around up there, including insulation and wiring. 

They eat EVERYTHING

If you’re hoping to grow your own food, the quest to keep these midnight munchers out of your veggie garden can seem futile. You soon realise that nothing is safe from the relentless appetite of a hungry possum family. Once they’ve eaten all the tomatoes, they’ll eat the tomato plant. And when that’s gone, the lemons (and lemon tree), passionfruit and roses are all fair game. 

Rules For Managing Possums On Your Property

Possums are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, so it’s important to understand the rules and regulations around managing these native marsupials.

  • You cannot trap a possum living outside, only possums living inside the roof of a building.
  • A council permit is required to trap a possum living in a building.
  • You must release a possum on the same property where you caught it. There are also rules around how far away from the original capture site you can release a possum. In Victoria, it must be less than 50 metres, but this distance may differ by state. 
  • Relocating a possum from your property is illegal.

Tips For Living with Possum Backyard Buddies

Possums find relocation very stressful, and in many cases, they will not survive the move. Your yard is likely the closest thing they could find to their natural habitat, so even if you could arrange for the possums to be removed, the chance of another possum family moving in is high. So here are some ideas to make possums in your backyard a happier experience all around. 

  • Contact your local council for advice about legally and humanely removing possums from your roof. Alternatively, you can engage a licensed possum controller.
  • Trim overhanging tree branches near your roofline.
  • Inspect the roof for entry points and block them.
  • Install a nest box in a tree to encourage possums to make a new home in it. 
  • Deter entry to your vegetable garden with a floppy fence or grow produce in a greenhouse. 

Remember to treat native wildlife with kindness and respect and always check with the local council for the most up-to-date advice on managing possums at your place.