Dealing with The Menace of Possums and More

Possums are mousey looking marsupials that carry their pups usually 8-10 as they move from one place to another. In the true sense they are not dangerous but they are amusing by their theatrics in playing dead and showing their aggression by a small growl when cornered or encountering human threat. Yet for the cute looking animals they are, they are a common request for eradication for Pest Control Sydney service providers and the process is not easy as it seems.

Possums stray into human habitation in search of food, shelter and water. They are carriers of disease causing pathogens. Tularaemia, a bacterial disease is transmitted to humans from handling animals, bites of infected ticks or from contaminated water or food. Ringtail possums have been reported to affect human infection.

Whenever you spot one around your premises, it’s best to leave it to specialist Possum removal Sydney service providers to remove them safely. 

The Positives of Possum

These tiny creatures come with a few positives as they are good to have around your yards as they kill ticks and feed on rats, mice and cockroaches. They also kill snakes and are resistant to their venom. So possums can be handy sometimes. But they can become irritating and pesky when they start building homes inside your house and also rummage through your trash cans.

Also they are considered as animals under protected list and so it is illegal to have one in your house. So for safe removal of these pests calling Pest Control Sydney service professionals is the right thing to do.

Even though they are seemingly harmless they can tear up homes and offices and cause nuisance that cause disruptions in your routine life and peace. 

Some useful solutions to keep possums away

Since possums are native to Australia, they are protected by law. So even though they might be a nuisance, their removal involves certain knowledge and expertise executed best by professionals. 

Possums may be first caught in traps which may be done by the building manager, a pest control certified official, a maintenance staff or you as the owner of infested property. While doing the eradication take care that-

• The cage trap should catch the animal without causing any injury or harm
• Once trapped they need to be kept at a safe place – preferably away from house pets, sunlight, wind, rain or any threat
• Once trapped, they need to be set free the same day within 50 meters of the infested property

At day end getting possums removed should be done by Possum removal Sydney service providers as no one wants to step into the wrong side of law and might also end up paying a hefty fine. These experts are adept at doing the removal smoothly. 

Catching possums is illegal if you do not have a license as they are protected species. Licenses for trapping the animals are given usually for free from local wildlife offices or national parks. Traps may be found on hire from a few licensed wildlife rehab groups or specific pest control companies of your area.

Possum Habits

Possums are nocturnal and they are quite silent when they go out. They return back to their nests during early morning hours after hunting for food and then homeowners can hear the scratching noises of their movement. Possum droppings also indicate their presence.

These droppings are cylindrical slightly different from other rodents. Pest Control Sydney service providers first block off access points that cause entry of these marsupials to your homes.

Possums like to inhabit under your house or wall and roof cavities. So the first thing to tackling possum lies in identifying entry points.

• Droppings often lead to their nest location
• Spotting the animal before they go out foraging or when they are making their entry back – of course this is quite a task!
• Hanging portion of roofs or eaves are popular entry points and so keeping a regular watch is a good practice
• Also tree branches that extend towards your homes or roofs also allow possums to gain access inside
• Check for scattered garbage or litter or overturned bins in your external surroundings or yards

Getting the possums to leave your premises

Begin with blocking entry points with some tough material that would be difficult for possums to tear apart. Set up mechanized lights or sprinklers and the water and light both would keep them away. Leaving a predator scent like dog or cat hair around the entry area will keep possum away out of threat.

Possums are sensitive to certain smells and are repelled by a few. Garlic is one. Just crushing a few garlic pods and keeping them in probable entry areas will drive possum away. Similarly they do not like moth balls which too might be used as a repellent.

• Regularly trim shrubs and grass in your yards and do not stack garbage bins. 

• Always leave a bright light around the area you might think they frequent.

Others points to take note about Possum handling

After a possum is identified relocating it to an area not more than 50 meters of infested area is needed and should be done by a trained professional of any of the Possum removal Sydney service providers.

Before they are relocated an alternate nesting area on a tree or any place in the property might be set up for them. Using a box made of waterproof material will help as also keeping an old nest, food items, and fruits to attract them there.

To keep possums out, using chicken wire to cover vegetables or fruits in your garden is also a good practice. Blocking food sources would signal to possums that there is no food available.

Also cut off water and food supply for them by covering garbage bins and storing food and water away from backyards. Possums also are repelled by certain plants like mint, geraniums and chrysanthemums. By growing these plants along with your vegetable plants will keep the pests at bay.

While choosing a cage to trap possums ensure the wire doesn’t harm the animal. So selecting the correct size of trap cage is important before relocation.

The best way for safe and smooth removal of course is by using professional Pest Control Sydney service providers who are well trained and well informed on all rules and regulations to do an expert removal. 

Also read: 6 DIY Pest Control Techniques for Your Home