The Ultimate Guide to Preventing & Legally Removing Possums in Gippsland, Victoria

From urban homes to rural properties, possums are a common part of Gippsland’s landscape. While these nocturnal creatures may seem charming, they can cause significant issues when they take up residence in your roof. The key to protecting your home is preventing their entry in the first place.
This guide covers effective prevention methods and what to do if a possum does find its way inside—all while ensuring you stay within the boundaries of Victorian wildlife laws.

Possums Prevention

The best way to manage possums is to stop them from getting inside in the first place. Here are the most effective prevention tips that comply with Victorian laws:

🛠️ Seal Up Entry Points
A gap the size of a closed adult fist is all a possum needs to get inside. Inspect the home and adjoining structures like carports or sheds and seal:
• Gaps in roofing materials, such as broken tiles, lifted iron, especially around chimneys and guttering
• Wall openings, including cracks and holes
Use durable materials like metal mesh or sheeting for long-term protection.

🌳 Trim Trees & Install Tree Collars
Possums are skilled climbers and jumpers, so take steps to limit their access:
• Fit 60 cm-wide metal or Perspex collars around tree trunks (positioned 60 cm above the ground) to prevent climbing, especially on trees close to your home or adjoining structures
• Cut back any overhanging branches so they’re at least 1.5 metres away from your roof, this reduces their ability to jump onto your home

🪏 Add Fence Barriers
Fences can give possums the height they need to access your roof. To help stop them:
• Install a 30 cm floppy barrier on top of existing fences , the loose top deters climbing
If you want to protect specific areas like fruit trees or veggie patches:
• Use 80 cm-wide galvanised chicken wire, bury 20 cm underground, and curve the top outwards using high-tensile wire for added protection

🪺 Provide Nest Boxes as an Alternative
Possums are territorial giving them a safe space outside your home can keep others away. Tips for nest boxes:
• Use rough sawn timber (19–25mm thick) for insulation.
• Avoid treated wood, toxic glues, or paints.
• Check regularly and remove invasive bird nests.
• Install at least 3 metres above ground in a stable position.
🛒 Don’t feel like getting on the tools to make, check out Men’s Shed and Wildlife Victoria collaboration and purchase a possum nesting box

🍎 Remove Tempting Food Sources
Don’t make be unintentionally feeding possums.
• Pick ripe fruit or remove fallen fruit before possums get to it
• Keep pet food indoors
• Secure compost bins and garbage lids
• Clean up barbecue scraps promptly

💡 Use Motion-Activated Lights
As nocturnal animals, possums prefer the dark. Strategically place sensor lights around to make your property less appealing.

🚫 Don’t Rely on Repellents
Most common repellent products, such as eco-friendly sprays and ultra sonic devices, don’t work on possums.

Possum Capturing & Compliance

Even with the best prevention, possums may still find their way inside your roof void. It’s important to understand your legal obligations and follow safe, humane methods to manage possums in line with Victorian regulations.

⚖ Possums Are Protected by Law
Under the Wildlife Act 1975 [link text to: https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/managing-
wildlife/possums], possums are classified as protected native wildlife in Victoria. That means:
❌ You must not harm, harass, or interfere with possums.
❌ You cannot keep a possum as a pet unless you’re a licensed wildlife carer.
❌ It is illegal to trap a ringtail possum without a wildlife permit.
❌ You cannot use poisons or inhumane traps, when removing a Brushtail possum from your roof.
✅ You can legally trap a common brushtail possum, only if it is living inside your home (e.g. roof or wall cavity, not just on top of the roof). However, trapping can be extremely stressful for possums, so specific conditions must be followed.

🪤 Trapping Techniques
The trap for brushtail possum must be safe and humane. It should be made from mesh smaller than 19mm square to prevent injury. Also have no sharp edges or protruding elements.
🛒 Purchase our purpose-built possum cage that meet these requirements via Squish’Em Pest Supplies
📹 Watch our possum cage setup video via our YouTube channel
The traps must be regularly checked throughout the day and night. Traps must be checked no later than 2 hours after sunrise.

📍Releasing Rules
If you do trap a brushtail possum, you must:
• Keep the possum in a quiet area and be sheltered from noise, the elements and other animals.
• Release it within property bonds and no more that 50 metre from the of point if capture, as possums are territorial and could be fatal to it.
• Only release it after sunset on the same day of capture, to give it the best chance of finding shelter and food.

🧑‍⚖️ Breaches of these regulations can lead to a penalties under the Wildlife Act 1975 & Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2016.

When Possum Problems Get Too Tricky: Call GippsPest
While possums might seem cute and harmless, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened, and may bite or scratch. They can also carry diseases that pose a risk to humans and pets.
💡 Want to avoid the hassle or can’t safely reach the possum's location?
Let GippsPest’s Wildlife Licensed Controller take care of it! Our expert service focuses on humane exclusion and prevention to keep possums out of your roof.
👉 Currently only available in select areas. We offer this service to locations within approximately 30 minutes of Warragul, Victoria.
📞 Contact us to learn more about our safe, legal, and effective possum management program.