Possum Management

What is involved in a Possum Management System?

The first step would be to have a technician attend your site to do a quote. They can assess to make sure we are 100% dealing with possums and determine the best way to move forward with the Possum Management System.

The process for this would usually involve monitoring the roof space or area where we think they are gaining entry and then using either a one-way door or possum cage to trap or exclude them from the building and then proof this area so they can’t gain entry again. We would then continue to monitor the area for several days as in some cases there are multiple possums living in the building.

Damage caused by Possum/s in your building:

Possums can cause quite a bit of damage if they are left in a building for too long. These can be things like

• Chewing through and eating electrical wiring
• Urinating in the ceiling which can leave stains on your roof. This can also cause - damage to the insulation in your roof and may need to be replaced
• They can sometimes fall through the roof, leaving a gaping hole in the ceiling
• They can cause a bad smell to waft into your home. This is due to them urinating and pooing in the ceiling as well as their general smell

How do I know if it’s a Possum or Rodents?

It can be difficult to determine if it’s a Possum or Rodents onsite. A few key differences are:

Possums

• The timing of the noises – Possums are nocturnal so they will be sleeping throughout the day and go out at night. The will usually leave the house around 9pm and will stay out until just before dawn
• Noises – Possums will make loud thumping noises as they are a lot bigger than rodents. - - Instead of fast, running noises, there will be loud thumping noises in one area at a time. They can also make thumping noises when asleep, which is just them moving around trying to get comfortable. They also make snarling or hissing noises
• Wall Cavities – Possums prefer to sleep in the wall cavities of your property as it is warmer and darker than the roof void. If you knock on the wall and hear a noise, it will be the possum waking up and moving to another spot that hasn’t been disturbed

Rodents

• The timing of the noises – Rats are also nocturnal so you will mainly hear the noises at night. There is no set time that you may hear them but they are most active at night
• Noises – Rats are very active and will run around in your roof void, wall cavities and in your subfloor. You will hear running around and scratching as well as some thumping, as the rats my be playing or fighting with each other. Rats also will chew/gnaw on wood and pipes, which can cause damage or flooding in your building

FAQ's

What should I do if I find a Possum onsite?

If you find a Possum onsite, it is very important that you DO NOT try to catch it or touch it. Possums can become very aggressive when they feel threatened and they may bite or scratch you. They can also carry diseases so it is better left to a trained professional. If you find a Possum, please call us on 0458 003 430

What if I dont want the Possum excluded from my property?

Some people dont mind having a Possum on their property and they would just like it excluded from their building. Gippsland Pest Management does sell Possum Nesting Boxes that you can mount in various locations around your property. This gives the Possum/s the opportunity to make a new nesting site that is still within your property bounds. You can find them in our Online Shop