Another possum dilemma ......

[lurker172602]

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?

[lurker172602]

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

[purple_haize]

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..

[janeababe · Accepted solution]

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.

🙂

[janeababe]

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

[this-one-time-at-bandcamp]

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?

[bright.ton42]

---

@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.  

[imastawka]

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...

[purple_haize]

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.........

[imastawka]

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