How to keep possums out of your roof space

Living with possums isn’t easy but there are a few things that we can do to discourage them from being in areas where we really don’t want them to be. Possums were here a long time before us and it’s our destruction of their habitat which has forced them in to our homes and gardens. So what can we do to make sure we can all get along?

POSSUMS IN THE ROOF

The reason why possums move in to our roof spaces is because of the lack of holes in their habitat. You see, the Common Brushtail possum utilises tree hollows for resting and also for nesting during the day.
If you currently have possums in the roof, here are some ways to help deter  them.

1. Block off access to your roof.

2. Place mothballs inside the roof space. Possums do not like the smell and it will ruin the lovely, cosy smell of home.

3. Place an ultrasonic device such as the Yard Sentinel in the roof space. The possum will dislike the high pitched sound.  This high frequency sound is above the human range of hearing so is silent to us humans. The Yard Sentinel RC also has a flashing strobe light which disorientated and annoys possums and birds.

4. If possible, leave a light on for a few days. The combination of moth ball smells, light and ultrasonics should be enough to discourage them.
If you have an extremely persistent possum, try putting a suitable nest box in your garden to act as an alternate den site for our furry friends.Placing an apple or banana should entice it to go in and get cosy. Never feed possums at any other time.If you find a nest in your roof you should also relocate it in to the cosy den.

Once you are satisfied that the possum has left the roof space or building, block any know entrance points.Use household bleach to wipe over those entry points, removing the possum smell and also making Re entry quite un-appealing!

Stay tuned for our next blog on how to keep possums out of your garden!