Possums in your roof - Alexandrina Council - SA.Gov.au

Department for Environment and HeritagePossumsin your roofLiving with Possums inSouth Australiawww.environment.sa.gov.au

With a reduction in natural habitats due tourbanisation, native animals are often forced to livein close quarters with humans. The opportunity toobserve native wildlife in your own backyard cannotbe overstated; however, living with wildlife has its shareof problems too.The species most commonly encountered in naturaland urban environments are the Common BrushtailPossum and Common Ringtail Possum. This informationaims to help solve problems that possums may becausing to your property and relates specifically to theCommon Brushtail Possum.Common Brushtail PossumCommon Brushtail Possums are approximately the sizeof a domestic cat. Males are generally larger thanfemales.These possums have dense fur, which varies in colourfrom light to dark grey on the back and a creamycoloured belly. The distinguishing features of theCommon Brushtail Possum are the black bushy tailand the long ears (50-60mm).The Common Brushtail Possum is found in openeucalypt forest and woodland areas and uses hollowdead tree branches and tree trunks for refuge. Inurban areas this species will also use the roof space ofa building for shelter.Possums are nocturnal animals. Finding shelter andnesting sites is becoming the biggest challenge forthese native animals. With the removal of many largeold gum trees, possums have to seek shelter in otherareas. For Common Brushtail Possums one commonalternative is buildings with access to the roof space.Conservation status of Common BrushtailPossums in South AustraliaThe Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH)has identified that the Common Brushtail Possumhas suffered a significant decline in abundance andreduction in its range across South Australia andsuspects that these trends are continuing.Although Common Brushtail Possum populationsappear to be secure within the Greater AdelaideRegion, Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island,the Department for Environment and Heritagehas reviewed the status of these species andrecommended that the Common Brushtail Possumbe listed as rare on the National Parks and WildlifeAct 1972 Threatened Species Schedules.Possums and the lawAre possums protected?In South Australia, all possums are protected (i.e.safeguarded against collecting, hunting or otheractivities) under the provisions of the National Parksand Wildlife Act, 1972.I have a possum on my property. What can I do?If the possum is not causing a problem then thereis no need to act. Enjoy the opportunity to observenative wildlife on your property but rememberpossums are wild animals. If the possum is causing aproblem, assess the nature and extent of the problembefore deciding whether there is any need to takeaction. You have a legal responsibility to deal with apossum problem in a humane manner. Managing theproblem will involve a time commitment, often somemonetary cost and altered practices. Combining arange of deterrents simultaneously should reduce oreliminate the impacts.Destruction of animals is unlikely to solve yourproblem, is a very time consuming process and willonly provide short-term relief. Look for longer-termsolutions to control damage, rather than killing thepossums.I have a possum in my roof space, what can I do?Determine whether it is actually a possum in yourroof. Rats and mice are very common around urbanareas and maybe they are living in your roof space.Bats roost in ceilings or wall cavities, create noises,smell and leave small droppings inside buildingsand Welcome Swallows typically roost and nest insheltered sites such as under roof eaves.Things to look for:If you can access your roof space look fordroppings, evidence of possum nests or possumsasleep in your roof. The noise made from a possummoving about in a roof space is quite different tothe noise made by rats. As possums are nocturnalthey generally move around at night. They have aheavy thumping movement across a roof or ceiling(described by some as sounding like an elephantwalking on the roof!). Possums also cough and makehissing noises. Rats make a pitter patter sound onthe roof or ceiling when moving about.There are several options available to you tomanage your possum problem that are in keepingwith their protected status.Option.1 (NO PERMIT REQUIRED)Provide an alternative home for the possum. • determine a suitable sheltered position on yourproperty to erect a possum box• purchase or construct a box designed specificallyfor possums• place the possum box at least four metres fromthe ground to protect the possum from domesticpets and feral foxes.Possum boxes should be monitored to ensure theyare not used by other feral animals such as starlings,house sparrows, bees and European wasps. Thisoption will be most successful if combined withoptions 2 or 3.

Option.2 (NO PERMIT REQUIRED)Prevent access into the roof space by blocking offaccess points.Determine how possums are gaining access intothe roof space. This is best achieved by:• observing possum movement from your roofspace after dark when the possums leave nestsites to forage for food or during daylight hoursinspecting the roof and eaves carefully forgaps, signs of scratching, urine/scent stainingor dislodged possum hairs where the possumenters the roof space• waiting until the possum leaves the roof andthen use timber or chicken mesh to block offaccess points before the possum returns• discouraging re-invasion by destroying thepossums scent markings at all entry pointsby applying household bleach to theaffected areas.The possum will be forced to find alternative shelterwithin its territory, possibly taking up refuge in apossum box installed on your property.It is recommended that building repairs be carriedout as a priority action because most often thereare several possums in an area inhabiting yourroof space.Option.3 (NO PERMIT REQUIRED)Install a one-way door flap at the possum’s accesspoint to the roof space.Install a one-way door flap to allow possums toleave the roof space but not return. For furtherinformation please contact a licensed pestcontroller.Option.4 (PERMIT REQUIRED)Place a possum trap in the roof space to captureand remove the possum.Obtain a permit to trap and release possumsfrom your local Department for Environment andHeritage office, then contact your local council orequipment hire company to hire a possum trap.Position the trap inside the roof space near thepossum’s access point. Ensure the trap is secureand stable to avoid potential injury to the possum.This needs to be done on the day you will possumproof your house, especially if the possum is still inyour roof at the time of proofing.Possums are nocturnal animals. Set the trap atdusk and check each morning. Close the trapeach morning to make sure possums are notcaught in the trap in the heat of the day. Resetthe trap at dusk. NOTE: trapping and releasingpossums without possum proofing your buildingwill not solve the problem.Trapping possumsWhat type of trap can I use to trap a possum?The recommended possum trap is a wire meshbox trap with mesh less than 19mm square. A trapwith larger mesh can cause injury to possums.The trap should have a spiral bait holder or foottreadle with a spring-activated door. Traps withbait hooks can cause serious injury to possumscontained within the trap.Where can I get a possum trap?Please remember, you must obtain a Permitto Trap and Release from the Department forEnvironment and Heritage before you trap thepossum. Your local council may loan or hirepossum traps. You will be asked to show yourpermit to the Council officer before you can takethe trap. Please note there may be a waitingperiod of 2-3 weeks to obtain use of a trap. Also,check the Yellow Pages under pest control, trapsor equipment hire.What happens to the possum after it’s caught?Keep the possum in the trap covered with abreathable cloth, such as a hessian bag andkeep in a quiet place until sunset. Release atsunset on the day of capture, on the sameproperty. Possums must be released within 24hours of capture. It should also be protected fromdomestic pets, other wildlife and weather.Do not release possums during the day becauseit increases their stress and puts them at risk ofbeing attacked and injured by domestic pets orferal predators. Possums are wild animals andmay look scared or frightened in the trap. Keepchildren away and do not be tempted to placeyour hand inside the cage as they will defendthemselves.Can I destroy a Common Brushtail Possum myself?No. Possums can be destroyed only if adestruction permit has been issued by theDepartment for Environment and Heritage.The humane destruction of Common BrushtailPossums can be facilitated by registeredveterinarians, the Animal Welfare League,and animal research facilities that hold acurrent scientific research permit and animalethics approval (contact the Department forEnvironment and Heritage Research PermitsSection on telephone 8222 9435 for a list ofresearch facilities).I have a wild possum in my roof. When will theDepartment for Environment and Heritage comeand collect it?The Department for Environment and Heritagedoes not provide this service. This information isaimed at assisting landholders to manage impactsand live in harmony with wildlife.

Excluding possumsHow can I exclude possums from my house?Ensure that all possible entry points are blocked off.Possums can gain entry through loose roof tiles andholes the size of a tennis ball in timber or bricks.Observe possum movement from your roof spaceafter dark. This is the time that the possum will leavethe roof space to forage for food. Ensure that youhave blocked off all entry points after the possumhas vacated the roof space.Trim any branches that overhang the house.Place sheet metal collars, 60cm wide and 60cmabove the ground, around tree trunks of trees thatprovide possum access to your roof and to protectfruit trees.Provide an alternative home for the possum byinstalling a possum box. Nest boxes may beobtained from vets specialising in the care ofnative wildlife, garden shops/plant nurseries, localcouncils, pet shops, pest controllers or hardwarestores.You can also build your own possum nest box.Refer to the following websites for more information.Native Animal Network Associationwww.nana.asn.auGould Leaguewww.gould.edu.auSpread quassia chips or use blocks of camphor ormothballs in the roof space. This may repel possumsand can be purchased at hardware stores. DONOT use camphor and mothballs at the same timeas they react chemically with each other.Pest controllersAre pest controllers licensed? If so, by who?Pest controllers providing a possum removal servicerequire a permit from the Department for Environmentand Heritage. This permit grants approval for a pestcontroller to trap and release possums on behalf ofthe landholder onto the landholder’s property. Ask thepest controller to show you a copy of their permit orask for their permit number.Pest controllers can arrange for the destructionof possums on behalf of the landholder only insituations where the landholder has obtained atrap and destroy (destruction) permit from theDepartment for Environment and Heritage.Should pest controllers, who ‘possum proof’buildings, hold any other licences?Pest controllers who provide a possum proofingservice that involves altering, repairing or improvinga building or house, must hold a Specified(Restricted) Builders Licence pursuant to the BuildingWork Contractors Act 1995. The Office of Businessand Consumer Affairs administers this Act.Relocating possumsI have always taken possums away and they alwayscome back. Why?It is highly unlikely that the possum you relocatedhas returned. The possum you relocated will havedied under very stressful circumstances. Possums arepart of the natural and urban environment and areterritorial. Relocating a possum will not solve yourproblem. It simply means that a possum territory(which includes your property with highly soughtafter nest and food sites) will be vacant for only ashort period of time before another possum arrives.If possum numbers are declining, why can’t I releasethe possum down the road or in a park or reserve?Unfortunately, the solution is not as simple as releasinga trapped possum down the road, or into a park orreserve. Possums have declined in regional areas due tofox and cat predation, habitat fragmentation throughurbanisation and other land management practicesand the loss of suitable refuge sites and natural foodsources. Relocating possums to these regional areasis impractical, as they would not survive. Relocatingpossums may also spread disease if the animal is sick.Australia has lost many of its native animals throughhabitat destruction and disease. Please help protectwhat remaining species we do have left.Injured possumWhat should I do if I find an injured possum?Injured possums should be taken to a registered vet orto a wildlife carer/rescue organisation.Who can I contact?If you require further information on managing andliving in harmony with possums please visit the DEHbiodiversity websitewww.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/possums.htmlTo obtain a permit please visit the DEH Fauna Permitswebsite www.wildlifepermit.sa.gov.auor contact your nearest Department for Environmentand Heritage office.For further information contact:Department for Environment and Heritage Information LinePhone (08) 8204 1910Email: dehinformation@saugov.sa.gov.auWebsite: www.environment.sa.gov.au© Department for Environment and HeritageAll rights reservedPublished June 2006FIS 2346.06Printed on recycled paperISBN: 1 921018 38 0Cover: Common Brushtail Possum,Photograph by Scott Jennings