Possum Traps

As possums are a protected species in ACT and NSW it is illegal to catch or entrap possums without a current Possum Trappers license. Possums are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1980 and it is illegal for an unauthorised person to trap or harm them. Trapping, removing or killing a possum without a licence carries severe penalties.

There are 2 species of possums are encountered by pest controllers, the ringtail and brush-tail opossum

Licenses to trap possums on your property are available from any TAMS (Canberra) NPWS (New South Wales) or any Wildlife office.

There are 2 species of possums are encountered by pest controllers, the ringtail and brush-tail possum
The ring tail possum and the brush tailed possum.

Hire of traps are available through A1 Pest Control Canberra by calling Bob on 0407 065 413 or emailing mailto: bob@a1pestcontrolcanberra.com.au for further information on setting possum traps or alternatively Bob will trap the possum for you. It is also a good idea when the possum is caught is then proof the entry points in your roof.

Below are the steps necessary to locate and evict your unwanted possum.
Step 1:

How do you know there are Possums in your home?

Possums will normally make their homes in tree hollows but if there are none that are available they will use any suitable, dark place including the space between the ceiling and roof of houses and in garages. A mere 9cm gap is enough room for possums to gain entry to your roof.

When possums gain entry they are the cause for many sleepless nights for the humans trying to sleep as they also may be interacting with other possums or fighting over territory or food.

The difference between possums in your roof space compared to rats and mice is easily identifiable as although smaller than a possum, they can still make a lot of noise but the presence of rats and mice is more obvious due to their distinctive smell and droppings you can readily see.

Although possums can sometimes be harder to locate as they can curl up in tiny places or may be sleeping tucked up under your insulation. If you suspect a possum in your roof, try looking in the ceiling space during the day with a torch or outside the house just after dark when possums emerge to feed.

Step 2:

Evicting Possums – give them their marching orders:

When night falls and the possum is out feeding you will need to climb up into your roof to locate where the possums are gaining entry into your ceiling void so they may not get back in. Using a torch you are looking for any daylight shining through holes bearing in mind the possum needs only a 9cm gap to squeeze their way into your home.

Wood or metal nailed over the hole will prevent re-entry. However, possums are strong and may be able to move loose tiles and bricks aside so regularly check it. If you don’t hear the possums for a few nights, it has probably found a new home. It may remain in the area if it finds a suitable place to nest or it may move to a new location.

Blocking the entry-ceiling cavity is the only way to guarantee that the possum will not return. If the possum is removed by trapping, its home site becomes vacant, ready for another possum to move in. The problem continues. Also possums are strongly attached to their home-site and will return to it over long distances.

Step 3:

Possum Traps – What happens when you catch your possum?

Now that you have tried simple methods to block entry to where the possum is getting in and you settle down to sleep with the knowledge that they can’t get in but you are hearing noises that suggest that you have not found the exact entry point. And in fact you possums are still your uninvited guests!

This is when you will need to get your possum license and hire a possum trap by calling
Bob on 0407 065 413 or you may decide to let Bob take care of your possum problem himself and he will catch your possum block the entry point and then release your possum.

Points to remember:

• The rules now state that the possum needs to be released in the boundaries of your property
• Proof the entry points to your roof so that they can not gain entry again