Possums

If there is a possum in your roof there are a few things you need to do:

• Check that it is actually a possum, being nocturnal they will be sleeping in there during the day so take a look with a torch, there may be rats.
• Possums have several rest points – when they are not in your roof take the opportunity and close off all entry points.
• Give them an alternative, put an artificial hollow in your yard – make one or buy one, if the possum doesn’t want it a kookaburra or a lorikeet will.
• Identify where the possum is entering the roof space, entry points may only be the size of a tennis ball – they can fit through very small spaces. You might lay some flour to see footprints the next day.
• Try fitting a one way door or alternatively when the possum(s) go out at night block up the hole(s).
• The easiest way out is to call someone with the appropriate permits, experience and equipment to help you (like a pest control company). They will charge you for it but they will fix the gaps for you too. 
• Do not remove possums from your property and release them elsewhere. This is illegal (Wildlife Conservation Act, 1950). Few possums survive after being moved in this way.

If possums are eating your herbs and vegetable plants in your garden you could consider:

• Maybe you could share – plant enough for all of you, better still, plant just for the possums
• Build a garden guard – fence off your vegetable garden (include a roof).

You can stop the possums getting onto your roof, you can do this by:

• Trim overhanging branches or place sheer covers around the branches of the tree(s). A smooth tin sheet without sharp edges at lease 1.2 meters wide wrapped around the tree should prevent access to limbs or trunk. This will also prevent other animals climbing (i.e. koalas).
• Possums will also climb drain pipes – add a hat-like structure that they cannot get around, a 40 cm overhang should do it.
• All access points to your roof need to be identified – electric and phone cables – consider underground cabling or again a smooth fence preventing access to the roof. When working around electricity always consult with your local provider first.

Pools

Possums may take a drink from your pool and miscalculate and fall in. In pools the wall prevents them from getting out. In a lake, river or dam they would be able to get out on the slope of the bank. However, it would not be considered normal behaviour for a possum or a glider to need to drink from ground level.

Recommendation

• Cover your pool
• Place animal exit point(s) in your pool in the event of an accident
• Check your pool regularly

Cars

• Be wildlife aware when driving.
• Be even more observant at dusk and dawn.
• Keep to the speed limit and the conditions of the road.
• If you are the passenger, don’t distract the driver.
• If you see an animal on the road don’t assume it will be able to get out of the way in time.
• Rest, Revive, Survive.

Rodenticides

Possums (particularly Brushtail possums) will eat rat baits or poisons laid out for rats and mice. Any consumption of rodent baits requires the animal to have veterinary attention immediately.