Melbourne’s Trusted Possum Removal Specialists
About us possum problem
What are Possums?
A possum is a small to medium-sized marsupial that is very commonly found in some parts of Australia. Their charming and fleecy appearance make them look very cute. They are known to be harmless; however, they are still regarded as a pest as they can be a carrier of few diseases such as bovine tuberculosis (TB), In addition, can damage property, garden crop. This is one of the reasons why possum pest control agencies are quite well known in Melbourne
Since they are proficient swimmers and climbers, hence they are often found in hollow logs in a tree. With the help of sharp claws and sharp teeth, they find it very easy to reside in trees. They often climb down in search of food and water, and this may lead them to follow their way into the house or garden. They have been spotted in roof voids of home. They are nocturnal introverted animals that are itinerant by nature and are always on a lookout for trees and burrows to reside.
Signs of presence of possum
- Check for garden and vegetation damage-Possums eat fruits, flowers and leaves, if you spot any damage to your garden vegetation, then its sure to be a rodent or a possum
- Look for possum dropping-Look for possum droppings in sheltered areas. They look like dog feces.
- Find a kill-Since Possums are omnivorous, hence they might attack small rodents like mice, etc
- Possum’s sounds- Possums are nocturnal and may produce a screeching sound to communicate or seek attention. Squeaking sound is common with juveniles to communicate with their mother. Shook shook sound can be heard when male possums are trying to attract the female Possum.
- Possum’s sounds- Possums are nocturnal and may produce a screeching sound to communicate or seek attention. Squeaking sound is common with juveniles to communicate with their mother. Shook shook sound can be heard when male possums are trying to attract the female Possum.
- Foul odour-As mentioned above, possum are territorial animals and like to mark their territory with the help of a gland, which is present under their chin. These gland secrets an odour.
- Possum tracks- Look for tracks, which can form with their claws or tail. This is yet another way to provide direction to other members of the family.
- Eye shine-The easiest way to spot them is at night. Since they are nocturnal in nature, they can be easily spotted by shining torch at the trees, you would be able to see their red eyes shining.
- Bite marks-Possums are sharp teeth, which they need regularly sharpen by biting on tree trunks or plant matter. If you figure out bite marks on outdoor furniture or your vegetation, then there might be a possum.
- Rotting food smell-Possums tend to collect food such as fruits and vegetable in a sheltered place, which they tend to eat for many days. If there is a foul smell of food, its best to conduct a search, you might be able to reach their nest.
Types of possums
There are 23 species of possums in Australia, Out of these 23 species; the most common two species are common brushtail possum and common ringtail possums. Just like other species of Possums, the common brushtail possum is also nocturnal. It mainly feeds on fruits and flowers, but in a few cases, have been seen eating rats, etc. In Melbourne, they get an abundance of eucalyptus leaves which they are very fond of eating. The common brushtail Possum comes in colours of silver-grey, brown, black, and gold. Normally the brushtail possum loves to live in tree hollow and burrow, but when indoors, prefer to hide in roofs and dingy spaces. As the name suggests, they have a bushy tail, along with that they have a cute looking pointed face and a pink nose. The common ringtail possum most distinguishing feature is its size, which can range to as big as a cat. They are nocturnal as well but prefer to stay in the dense forest and feed on eucalyptus leaves. They are generally grey in color and have white fur on the belly with some orange streaks.
Common brushtail Possums Physical description:
- Big, pointed ears & face with a typically light or pinkish nose.
- Possum comes in colours of silver-grey, brown, black, and gold.
- Typical body measures 500mm, weight ranges from 3.5-4kg.
- Black bushy tail with daintier grey and velvety paws & underbelly tail is often used to grip tree branches
- Males Possums are heavier as compared to the female possums and are covered in heavy red colour fur from shoulders to belly.
Common ringtail possum’s Physical description:
- Colour variable; silver-grey, smoky-grey, dark grey-brown but more typically light grey or rich red on back and sides.
- Cream to grey underneath, with red or tan on the arms.
- Unlike the common bush tail possums, the common ringtail possums have short and rounded ears. White patches on the back is a predominant feature
- Regular body measures 300-350mm, weight ranges from 700-1.2kg.
- The tail is not bushy, rather quite slender, with white on the lower portion and is rounded which helps in providing grip to the tree branches
The Possum Removal Treatment Process
Possum Removal Services Inspection
Immediately after receiving your request, our trained and certified possum catchers will visit your property to analyse the possible habitats of the animal around your home. We will also identify the level of infestation, the extent of any damage they have caused, the possible risks to you and your property due to the infestation, the entry points, and more.
We will also confirm the type of possum present at your property. The two common types of species you can observe in Melbourne are brushtail and ringtail possums.
Possum Removal Process
As outlined in the removal plan, our DELWP-licensed possum removal technicians will catch the pests from your property without causing any stress to them. We generally use cage traps, made from wire mesh, to trap possums. We will check the cages every day in the early morning and are released as per the guidelines of Wildlife Australia.
Ongoing Prevention
In addition to the removal, ongoing prevention is also important in controlling possums in your surroundings. With the following steps, you can deter the pests from entering your property zone:
- Install plastic barriers around trees to stop them from climbing trees
- Enclose all the holes that give access for the pest to the property
- Spikes on fences to control their movement
- Netting over edible plants and fruit trees
- Tightly securing pet foods
Our possum control technicians can help you to create a potential barrier around your property to limit future infestations.
