Tips on How to Get Rid of Possums in the Roof

Possum roof invasion is a constant possibility for suburban dwellers in Sydney’s North Shore. These protected animals seem to have acclimated themselves to suburban living.  Somehow, probably due to recent developments in real estate, there are not enough trees to accommodate the awesome possum and they have no choice but to cohabitate with humans and their modern houses.  It is in a sense, quite a taxing situation for the homeowners because they often find these marsupials difficult to live with and extraction is a complicated and time consuming endeavor. 

However, if in the event that there is a possum invading the roof of your home, what do you need to do?  You have a few options actually but you have to understand that you have a legal responsibility to deal with the possum situation in a humane way. In Sydney, all possums are protected under the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972.   This means they are safeguarded against hunting, collecting among other things. 

But first of and foremost, you need to make sure that you actually have a possum in your roof.  Other animals such as rats or mice or even swallows tend to dwell in roofs with easy access. If find that you really have a possum in your roof, here are a few things you can do.

1.      Give the possum an alternative home for the possum. – Build a possum box and place it about four meters above ground preferably on a tree to protect the possum from other larger domestic animals.  This box should be checked from time to time to make sure its only resident is the possum. No permit is required but construction should be as recommended by the Department of Environment and Heritage. 

2.      Allow the possum naturally settle in its new home by putting leaves, nuts for food.

3.      You may then trap the possum  but you need to let it out later.  But first you must obtain a trapping and releasing permit from the NPWS and they may also have an approved trap that ensures the safety of the possum.

4.      Fix and cover all entry points to your roof.  A one way door flap may be installed in case there is still a possum left in the roof.  This door lets them out but will not let them in.  Possum removal experts have these contraptions.

5.      Place a tree collar on a tree with branches that overhang on to your roof.  This would be a metal sheet about 60cm wide that you wrap around the trunk of the tree.

Otherwise, it is recommended that you contact licensed possum removal experts deal with the possum in your roof better.  They are a phone call away will be able to do all of the above for you while you relax and wait.