topic Re: Another possum dilemma ...... in Community Spirit

Another possum dilemma ......

lurker172602 — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:32:04 GMT

We are currently having an extension done to our house which involves temporarily opening up the roof space. And of course THE POSSUMS have moved in!!!!! (I'm certain its possums because we see them about sometimes at night and occasionally hear them running across the roof, but now they are certainly in the roof in the evening and early morning)
Their entry point will, of course, eventually be closed off but I'm worried about what damage they may be causing now and of course ensuring they are all moved out before the roof is sealed up again.
I'll speak to the builder about it next week when he comes back, but any ideas about what we can do in the meantime?

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

lurker172602 — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:33:10 GMT

PS I'll be out all day today, but look forward to reading some replies when I get home.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

purple_haize — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:11:53 GMT

My sister in law had problems with possums in the roof, late last year she was having her kitchen remodelled and a small extension put on, her son had to get into the roof cavity and put possum traps up there........doesnt hurt the possum, they just walk in and the door closes.

They had to do this on several nights till all possums were caught, then the hole was blocked up.

They took the possums further up into the hills and let them loose..

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

janeababe — Fri, 01 May 2015 00:11:54 GMT

Get yourself a few packets of mothballs and throw them about in your roof cavity.

This was an old wives tale i stumbled upon about 12yrs ago, and have been doing it every year since then. (onec a year top-up is all thats needed)
It will keep away ALL rodents. The first few days, you *might* be able to smell the moth balls slightly, but it goes away after a few days.

I havent had possums/rats/mice/birds inside my roof cavity since using this trick.

🙂

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

janeababe — Fri, 01 May 2015 00:13:48 GMT

I should say.... throw the balls around singularly.... just placing an opened packet inside the cavity wont work... try and throw a moth ball into each corner of the roof cavity.
Be careful though, sometimes they hit the beams, and come hurtling back towards you LOL

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

this-one-time-at-bandcamp — Fri, 01 May 2015 00:14:47 GMT

The first few days, you *might* be able to smell the moth balls slightly, but it goes away after a few days.

How do you get the moths' little legs apart?

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

bright.ton42 — Fri, 01 May 2015 01:35:59 GMT

@janeababe wrote:
Get yourself a few packets of mothballs and throw them about in your roof cavity.

This was an old wives tale i stumbled upon about 12yrs ago, and have been doing it every year since then. (onec a year top-up is all thats needed)
It will keep away ALL rodents. The first few days, you *might* be able to smell the moth balls slightly, but it goes away after a few days.

I havent had possums/rats/mice/birds inside my roof cavity since using this trick.

🙂

Yes I've heard this can be really effective as they loathe the smell, and it's an easy fix. I've also heard that if they are trapped and relocated they will die, out of their normal habitat, I only read that recently as up until now it seemed a good idea. Our council has the absurd laws that you can trap them but let them loose within something like two metres away. f g s.

I watched two of them last night in the trees out front, they move so fast. Meanwhile so far the tiny flashing lights I have in my

back garden seems to be deterring them, fingers crossed.

Good luck.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

imastawka — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:04:21 GMT

It is not your council,bright, it is the Dept of Environment and Primary Industries.

Relocating possums is illegal and cruel, it says -

http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/wildlife-management/possums/possums-and-the-law

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

purple_haize — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:17:28 GMT

I live in The Dandenongs, it is legal to catch possums in special cages, I think our council lend out the cages and then we are allowed to take the possums to other parts of the Dandenongs and let them go free.

This is not being cruel, as it is just that they are being re-located to another part of the hills.....................this is from the council that looks after The Dandenongs and Yarra Ranges.........

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

imastawka — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:27:29 GMT

I was quoting from the link I posted from the DEPI - They over-ride local councils

Trapped possums must be released the same day on the same property, in their own territory, within 50 metres of the capture site.

Relocating possums is both illegal and inhumane.

Edited to say - I don't agree with any of it - it's ridiculous to release

them on the same property IMO

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:40:24 GMT

I mentioned moth balls before... But you can't get them these days.
Naphthalene flakes definitely banned.
Best I could do was the little hanging cage thingies

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

imastawka — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:45:42 GMT

Mothballs still available on ebay - location Australia

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:54:02 GMT

Ah, mothballs as one word.
Maybe that's where I was going wrong. On here at least 😄 Those poor moths.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

imastawka — Fri, 01 May 2015 09:56:19 GMT

If you have a moth ball in each hand, what do you have?

A bluddy big moth!

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

gleee58 — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:05:38 GMT

@ten*teeny*tiny*toes wrote:
I mentioned moth balls before... But you can't get them these days.
Naphthalene flakes definitely banned.
Best I could do was the little hanging cage thingies

Really? Since when have they been banned and do you know why?

I've never thought about it and don't go looking for them but that is a surprise.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

purple_haize — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:09:27 GMT

OH and me go by what our council says...........there are so many possums up here in the hills. The council lends out the cages the possums are re located, they are not hurt in any way, taking them to another part of the hills is not in any way hurting the possum.

As far as I am concerned, what the council says goes, I might add, that the Yarra Ranges Council covers alot if not most of the hills area, where the largest number of possums are..............

Things might be different down in the suburbs, I have no idea, I just know that the council lets people move the possums.........and they are in no way hurt and it is not cruel.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

ten*teeny*tiny*toes — Fri, 01 May 2015 10:17:27 GMT

Glee, I think blankets and clothing stored in naphthalene and camphor had the potential to be toxic to babies and children.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

lyndal1838 — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:03:49 GMT

Mothballs are still on sale in Coles in NSW.

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

janeababe — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:12:45 GMT

Hardware stores like bunnings sell mothballs and Naphalene flakes.
I also found mothballs for sale in the cheap shops (like the '$2 shop' type shops)

I would never use mothballs for storing baby gear. I wouldnt put them around my garden to rid pests or animals from the graden either.
But up in the roof cavity, they are fantastic 🙂

Re: Another possum dilemma ......

lyndal1838 — Fri, 01 May 2015 12:15:32 GMT

Camphor is also on sale in Coles....it is cheaper than mothballs.