Possums
Possums, particularly the Brushtail and Ringtail species, are a common nuisance for many homeowners in urban and rural areas across metropolitan South Australia. While these nocturnal creatures are protected by law and play a role in the ecosystem, they can become a nuisance when they invade homes or properties.
Potential Dangers Possums Pose
Possums may seem harmless due to their small size and nocturnal habits, but they can cause several issues when they invade homes or properties, including:
- Property Damage: Possums are known to cause significant damage to homes and gardens. They can chew through electrical wiring, leading to potential fire hazards and damage to insulation, roofs, and walls. In household gardens, they will likely feed on plants and flowers.
- Health Risks: Possums can carry diseases that may pose health risks to humans and pets. Their urine and droppings can carry disease and contaminate surfaces and water sources, creating unsanitary conditions.
- Impact on Pets and Wildlife: Possums can disturb domestic pets, particularly dogs, and may compete with other native wildlife for food and habitat. Their presence can lead to potential territorial disputes with other animals and can be aggressive when cornered, posing a risk of injury to pets and humans.
Identifying Common Possum Species
We commonly find two possum species within our service areas: the brushtail possum and the ringtail possum.
Brushtail Possum
The Brushtail possum is the most common species of the two found in urban areas. These possums are medium-sized marsupials with thick, bushy tails, large ears, dense fur, and usually grey with a paler underside. They are mostly solitary animals but are known for their loud vocalisations, which can be disruptive and unsettling to homeowners during the night. Brushtail possums are very adaptable creatures and often find shelter in roof spaces and wall cavities of homes. They also feed on various plants, including non-native species found in urban gardens, contributing to their success in these environments.
Ringtail Possum
Ringtail possums are smaller than Brushtails and are distinguished by their white-tipped prehensile tail, which it uses for grasping and climbing. Its fur is soft and can range from grey to reddish-brown. They often live in family groups and are known for their ability to produce twins or triplets. While less common than Brushtails, Ringtails can also cause damage to gardens and homes, although they are generally less aggressive in their foraging habits.
Methods and Deterrents for Possum Removal in Adelaide
Greens Environmental Pest Control is an expert in possum pest control and possum removal. We use a combination of various deterrents and humane methods to remove possums from homes and properties, depending on your situation.
Inspection to identify entry points
The first step to possum removal in Adelaide is conducting a thorough pest inspection to identify entry points and other factors enabling access, such as trees, fences, wiring, etc.
Proofing
Proofing to prevent access to roof spaces and other home areas is the most effective method of managing your possum activity. This may include blocking gaps in roofs and around eaves. Greens Environmental Pest Services uses a ‘one-way door’ method in tiled roofs and box gutters in line with proofing to block a possum out of a roof space without the option of returning.
Deterrents
Several deterrents can be used to make properties less attractive to possums. These include installing motion-activated lights and physical barriers such as tree collars and netting to prevent possums from accessing gardens and fruit trees.
Use of traps
Trapping is a commonly used method in possum pest control, particularly for managing Brushtail and Ringtail possums that have become a nuisance in residential areas. The traps used for professional possum removal in Adelaide have specific requirements for their construction, so the use of traps is best left to the experts.
Legal Requirements for Relocating Possums
In South Australia, the relocation of possums is subject to strict regulations due to their protected status under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Animal Welfare Act 1985. These regulations are designed to ensure that possums are handled humanely and that their populations are conserved.
- Permit Requirement: Possum removal requires a permit. This permit allows the capture and release of possums but only within a short distance from where they were trapped, typically within 50 meters. Possums are territorial animals and relocating them to a new area further away can lead to stress, fighting, and potentially death due to unfamiliar surroundings.
- Protected Species: All possums in South Australia are protected, meaning it is illegal to catch, interfere with, or harm them without a permit. This protection is in place to prevent unnecessary harm and to ensure that possum populations remain stable, especially given their declining numbers in some regions.
- Humane Treatment: The regulations emphasise humane treatment. This includes ensuring that any traps used do not harm the possums and that they are released promptly and safely.
Get Professional Possum Pest Control
Despite its effectiveness, trapping is not a standalone solution for possum infestations. Simply capturing and releasing possums without addressing the root cause of their intrusion, such as unsealed entry points in roofs or walls, will not prevent their return. Therefore, it is essential to combine possum removal with possum-proofing measures. Engaging the services of a professional pest control technician is the safest and most effective way to deal with possum problems and ensures compliance with regulations.
So, if you have possums sprinting across your rooftop at night or creating a mess around your property, contact the experts at Greens Environmental Pest Control.To request a quote or make a booking for a Possum Removal in Adelaide and SA, call us or click the button below.
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