3 Expert Reasons Why You Should Leave Possum Removal to the Pros

Are you hearing strange noises in your garden at night? Have these noises migrated to your roof? Or, have the leaves on your fruit trees started disappearing at an alarming rate? If so, then you may be sharing your property with a family of possums.

Whether you’re a fan of wildlife or not, the thought of little creatures living in your roof may force you to invest in the possum removal Melbourne experts recommend. What are possums? Why should you only have them removed by an expert? Keep reading as we explore the answers to these questions.

Understanding What Possums Are

With so many different critters running around in Australia, you may be wondering what exactly a possum is, especially if you’ve never encountered one. Possums are furry little marsupials, native to Australia. They are sometimes confused with their North American cousins, the opossums. A key way to distinguish the two is to remember that the local species boast silvery-grey fur, bushy tails, and pointed ears.

Another interesting fact about these little mammals is that they form part of the 23 different species found all across Australia. While typically living in trees, they have been known to nest and live on the ground in people’s yards or sometimes in sheds and garages.

A little known fact is that possums are protected under the Australian Wildlife Act 1975 which means they can’t be harmed, even if they are nesting in your garden. This also means that any relocation attempts must be handled by a certified expert. The good news here is that many local pest controllers have the necessary expertise and skill to perform the rehoming process.

Removal Should Always Be a Professional Job

You may have ample experience with getting rid of the occasional rat on your property. This can often leave homeowners believing that they can get rid of possums just as easily. However, there are several reasons why this task should be left to the professionals.

DIY Removal is Against the Law

The number one reason why you should ditch any ideas of a DIY removal is that it’s against the law to do so. As we’ve already mentioned, possums are protected under the local wildlife legislation. Since these creatures are a protected native species, it’s illegal to harm, kill, or even stress them.

It’s also forbidden to try and relocate them if you don’t have the necessary training or expertise regarding their biodiversity. Licensed professional pest controllers are well-versed in the local and state-specific regulations regarding capture and relocation. Having the issue professionally dealt with ensures that you avoid potential fines and penalties for your DIY efforts.

Possums Can’t Live Just Anywhere

Relocating a possum may sound as easy as catching it and releasing it into the furthest field from your property. However, relocating a possum to further than 150 meters from where it was caught can see existing possum families attacking the newcomer, forcing it to seek shelter in another yard. Possums must be moved in accordance with strict ecosystem dynamics to ensure their safety.

Professionals can Possum Proof Your Property

Since the average homeowner is unversed in possum capture and relocation, they may not always know that removing the possum is only a small part of the solution. This is because possums have a nasty habit of returning.

An expert pest controller will know that effective proofing is necessary all over the property. This often involves the following processes:

• Source entry points: Despite being slightly bigger than rats and mice, possums can squeeze through very small spaces. A professional pest controller will assess your property and check for unsealed vents, loose fascia boards, and broken roof tiles that may be granting easy access to your home.
• One-way door installations: A common way to deter possums from your roof cavity is for the pest controller to install one-way eviction doors over the entry points. These nifty doors allow possums already in the space to be able to get out but block them from re-entering again.
• Create alternate housing on your property: If you have a possum family in your roof, moving them to another place on your property is often a viable solution. This is especially the case if you have trees away from the house which can safely house your new guests. Pest controllers will usually install a possum nesting box in a dedicated spot high up in a tall tree away from the house.

Final Thoughts

You should always strive to keep your home and your yard possum-free. However, if one (or a family) have moved in, the best course of action should always be to enlist the professionals to do the removal. This not only ensures that you aren’t breaking the law by opting for a DIY removal but also prevents any risks of disease or injury to yourself or the possum. Professional removal also ensures that the problem is dealt with permanently and in the most humane way possible!