Possum Removal

Have possums made a home in your roof?

Professional Possum Removal – Brisbane

Possums banging around on your roof and screaming can be a major nuisance and their gnawing and urine can damage your property.

However, as possums are a native animal they cannot be killed and there are strict laws which limit the steps can be taken to remove possums from your roof.

The Pest Doctors are fully licensed and experienced in possum management and provide humane possum removal and possum proofing services.

Our Possum Removal Process

Brushtail possum image

Brushtail possum

Ringtail possum image

Ringtail possum

Confirm possum presence

We carry out an inspection to confirm that indeed you have a resident possum (rather than rats or other pests) and where it is nesting.

Identify possum entry points

The other key part of the inspection is to determine the potential entry / exit points. These will need to be blocked as part of the removal process (after the possum has been trapped).

 

 

Trap the possum

A possum trap is placed in the roof, ideally at night when the possum is out foraging. By placing suitable food inside the trap, the possum is often trapped within a day or so. We are required to inspect the trap each day as we cannot keep the possum in the trap for more than 24 hours. Sensor cameras are used to alert our team when the trap has been activated. Once trapped, the possum is removed from the roof.

Possum proof the roof

As soon as the possum has been removed from the roof, we will possum-proof the roof to prevent re-entry. The possum proofing needs to be strong and comprehensive, as the possum will have a very string urge to return to its original nest. Not only does this stop the current resident returning, it should provide long-term protection from possums entering the roof void.

Relocate the possum

By law we need to provide an alternative nesting site within 25 m of the original nest. This normally means installing a possum box on the trunk of the nearest large tree. As we cannot leave the possum in the trap for more than 24 hours, the nesting box needs to be installed on the day after trapping (or before). The possum is then released in the evening.

OUR PEST CONTROL STANDARDS

Value

We believe in Value for Money. We believe that we offer one of the highest levels ofservice and knowledge to our Brisbane customers. We are committed to ourcustomers in all that we do.

Responsive

We will arrive when we say, or you will receive a courtesy call to advise we are running a little late. Please always rest assured that we value your time

Safe

We understand the importance of keeping your family, pets and the environment, healthy and safe. We prioritise sourcing the safest available products on the market to reduce the risk to your loved ones.

Quality

12 Month Service Guarantee on all pest control treatments. If pests come back we will come back and re-treat the area of concern at no extra charge.

How to prevent a possum problem?

  • Keep vegetation and overhanging branches trimmed back to prevent possum access to your roof. This will also help keep rats out of your roof.
  • Make sure there are no possum access points. If a possum can get its head into a hole, it will be able to force the rest of its body through. So any hole about the size of a tennis ball needs to be fixed.
  • Possums can also access the wall voids and roof cavity from the sub-floor as well, so if your home has a sub-floor, you will need to check any potential holes in the sub-floor that allows access to the wall voids and fire places / chimneys.
  • Boiling quassia chips in water and spraying the to extract around potential entry points can help repel possums from an area. This may also help in keeping possums away from vegetable and fruit trees. There are some commercial possum repellents available in Bunnings (although we cannot vouch for their effectiveness).

More possum information

Can I remove the possum myself?

Possums are protected native wildlife and can only be removed by licensed professional possum handlers.

Killing or injuring a native animal and incur significant penalties, including illegal removal of possums from roof voids. This is because possums often get injured or even killed when moved outside their territory. The maximum fine under Queensland law is $13,000.

Licensed professionals have to follow a strict set of guidelines which includes the need to relocate the possum within 25 metres of the point of capture (your home).

If you’re not sure whether you have rats or a possum in your roof, don’t throw rat bait into the roof. It can kill possums and open you up significant fines.

Possum damage

Possums can cause significant damage to property:

  • They gnaw around entry points
  • They gnaw timbers and electrical wiring, sometimes shorting circuits and causing house fires
  • Their urine can damage plasterboard and stain ceilings and walls

Health risks

Possums can carry a variety of mites, ticks, other parasites, as well as bacterial infections. These can be transferred to humans directly and also through contact with their droppings and nesting material, making them a potential health hazard.

Noise nuisance

Most people will have experienced screeching possums as they fight over territories and the having banging as they run across roofs. For those who have experienced possums, the sudden noise can make you jump awake with a start and can cause many a sleepless night.

Types of possums

In Brisbane the two common types of possum are the brushtail and ringtail possums. It is the brushtail possum that has adapted to set up home in roofs, the ringtail possum normally sticks to the naturally environment, nesting in trees.

Is it time to say goodbye to your Possum problem?

Possums may be cute too look at, however they can be loud and messy house guests. They tend to enjoy running and jumping on and off rooves and, if left for a prolonged periods of time, their droppings and urine can stain the ceilings and subfloors.