In their native environment, possums usually live in tree hollows, but with the loss of much of our native bushland many of these natural homes have been destroyed. Being highly territorial, possums do not relocate easily and so they sometimes seek safe shelter in your roof. They also find food in compost heaps and home gardens.
If a possum has made its home in your roof, you can remove the possum and ensure that it does not return. Some people say that the first thing you should do is give possum a name....that apparently creates a relationship between you and possum.
1. Provide an alternative home for the possum by constructing a sturdy weatherproof possum-house. You can usually purchase possum box from local wildlife groups.
2. Where possible, get inside your roof and locate the possum's nest. The nest, or some of it which has the scent of the possum, should be placed in the new possum-house to encourage the possum to its new home.
3. Securely fix the possum-house to a tree in or near your yard. Place it at least 4 metres (12 feet) from the ground so the possum will be out of reach of domestic cats and dogs.
4. To encourage the possum to investigate its new home, put half an apple or banana in or near the possum-house.
5. Trim any branches that overhang the roof to remove access to your roof.
6. Spread some quassia chips throughout the roof cavity to repel the possum. These chips come from quassia plants, which are native to Central and South America. You can usually find quassia chips at hardware stores, or your local pharmacy may be able to order some for you.
If you can't find quassia chips, you could repel the possum by spreading eight blocks of camphor or one or two boxes of mothballs throughout the roof cavity. Do not use both camphor and moth balls as they react chemically with each other.
7. Place a light in the roof cavity and keep it switched on for 3 days and nights. The combination of the light and the smell should drive the possum out of your roof and hopefully into the possum-house you have provided.
8. If you do not hear the possum for a few nights, it has probably found a new home. To prevent the possum from returning, block off the access points into your roof with timber, chicken wire or both. Night-time is the best time to block off the access points as the possum will have left to forage for food.
Do not block off the access points unless you are certain the possum or possums have left your roof. If this does not deter the possum, you may need to trap the possum.
