|
In their natural state, possums sleep in hollow trees, but because there are very few natural environments in suburban areas, they often invade the ceilings of homes, and if left to their own device, can
cause considerable damage to the ceilings and electrical wiring - which could lead to possible fire.
At Wildpro we specialise in Urban Possum Control - particularly residential, garden and commercial sites.
Watch for
possums to emerge from the roof after dark and block off their access points
Make a one-way flap to allow possums out but not in. The flap can be metal or Perspex with a hinge at the top. Cover the flap surrounds in
metal to prevent possum's claws from gripping.
Prune all branches that lead to the roof. Leave a gap of at least 1.5 meters around the roof.
Build a 30 cm floppy fence on top of your existing paling fence.
Place collars around the trunks of trees that give access to the roof. Use 60 cm wide sheet metal or Perspex and fit 60 cm above the ground.
Possum proof transmission cables.
Provide nest boxes and install
it in your garden as an alternative den site. Possums are territorial; if one adopts the nest box it is likely to keep others away from your roof and garden.
Possums may be trapped, but only to remove them from the
roof. They must be released on the same property within 50 meters of the capture site. "Wildpro" Professional Wildlife controllers are also authorized to trap possums.
Possum traps are available for hire from
"Wildpro" We use only the recommended possum trap type which is a wire mesh box trap with mesh less than 19 mm square. If a trap with larger mesh is used, possums can seriously damage their noses pushing them through
the mesh.
Traps must be set in a stable level position protected from dogs, cats, wind, rain and direct sun. All traps are to be checked no more than two hours after sunrise. Trapped possums must be kept within the trap
in a quiet place, covered with a cloth or bag.
Possums must be released at sunset on the day of capture. Releasing possums during the day increases their stress and puts them at risk of being attacked and injured.
For many Victorian sharing your property with possums is a fact of life. A possum in your roof or eating your flowers can be very frustrating, but people and possums can live together successfully. In fact, learning about
the 'other family' that shares your property can be both educational and fun.
Like people, possums are well suited to living in the suburbs. The trees and gardens around our houses provide modified woodland similar to
their natural habitat.
There are two types of possums in urban areas. The Common Brush tail Possum, (Trichosurus vulpecula) is the size of a cat. It has large pointed ears, gray fur and a bushy black tail.
Bush
Tail possums have a single young born in autumn or spring. The baby spends around six months in the pouch, one to two months riding on its mother's back until it is weaned and leave the maternal den between seven to sixteen
months of age.
The Common Ring tail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) is much smaller, about half the size of a cat. Ring tail possums have round ears, a gray back with rusty sides and a curled tail with a white tip.
They have one to three young, mostly twins, born during autumn or winter.
Ring tail possums usually build a nest of twigs and leaves, called a dray, several meters above the ground. They rarely enter house roofs.
Possums eat the leaves, flowers and fruits of a wide variety of native and exotic trees and shrubs. The Common Brush tail Possum may also eat grass, fungi, bird's eggs and baby birds.
Never feed possums. Human food
can be dangerous to possums and cause serious dietary imbalance.
POSSUM CONTROL
Brush tail possums favor tree hollows for making their dens, but in urban areas they may seek the warm, dark and safe shelter of house
roofs to sleep during the day. They become active at night when they go out to seek food.
In the past possums were often trapped and released into other areas. Recent research has shown that possums can't cope in a new
environment and die within a few days of release. Removing a possum from your property will also just make room for another one to move in.
The only solution to possums in your roof is to get them out and stop them
getting back in.
At "Wildpro" Professional Wildlife Controllers we specialise in the exclusion, and where necessary the humane capture of possums from all buildings: residential, commercial and industrial.
We check that your roof resident is a possum. We also deal with rats commonly enter roofs; they are not an indicator of a dirty or derelict house. Rats make light scampering and gnawing sounds compared with a possum's
guttural hiss and heavy thumping.
Possums can gain access to the roof space through loose tiles, loose roofing iron, broken eaves and holes in timber or brickwork. Our expert licensed wildlife controllers:
|
