If there is an opossum in the yard, don't worry. They aren't a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while. But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and sometimes even small rodents.
Additionally, if you do manage to poison the animal, it is unlikely to die. Experience has taught any wildlife professional that instead, poisoning an opossum will make it more dangerous and reckless. If the poison does kill it, the animal is likely to die somewhere that it is hard to recover its body.
While bovine tuberculosis is a problem in New Zealand possums, there is no evidence that Australian possums carry the disease. Possums, however, can carry a variety of mites, ticks, other parasites, and bacterial infections, some of which can be transmitted to animals and/or humans.
AN animal charity is appealing for information after an illegal trap killed a possum. The traps pose a serious danger to small children and family pets and fines of up to $22,000 or six months in jail could apply to anyone caught setting them.
Opossums are more likely to growl, hiss and show their 50 sharp teeth than to bite. They are a relatively placid animal and like to avoid confrontation at all costs. However, if cornered they do have the ability to bite.
To encourage the possum out of the roof, place a light in the roof cavity and keep it switched on for several days and nights (this may deter the possum as they like to sleep in the dark). Alternatively, you can hire a possum trap from Kennards Hire. Some local councils also have traps for hire.
Common brushtail possums are territorial creatures, usually sleeping alone during the day in dens in tree hollows, rock piles or logs. Dens are often in limited supply in the bush and possums will compete for nesting sites, sometimes fighting to the death.
Possums are usually solitary. Where two possums are seen together it is usually a mother and joey.
Natural possum deterrents
Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away.Onions and garlic possible natural deterrents
"What is found to probably be the most effective is a pungent smell." Mr Smith said onion and garlic seemed to be the most successful in small scientific trials looking for natural deterrents. "But, like Pat has said, you need to constantly reapply it," he said.They are generally nocturnal and they spend the day in hollow tree trunks, rock crevices, under brush piles, or in burrows. They are excellent climbers and good swimmers. Opossums also spend a lot of time slowly ambling about on the ground, and as a result they are frequently struck by cars.
Bird netting can deter possums too as they cannot climb it, but be aware netting is easy for them to break through. To stop digging animals, wire should be planted about 30 centimetres into the ground. And special small mesh wire can be bought that will stop mice getting through.
Small mammals including possums and bandicoots often consume poisons such as snail bait, or rat bait that has been laid out to attract and kill rats, mice, and rabbits. Poisons such as pindone are often added to oats or carrots, and lead to a slow, painful death of internal bleeding.
Brushtail possum scat is a similar shape to koala poo, but a little smaller, and it can range from greenish brown to dark brown or black, depending whether they're helping themselves to garden fruit trees or eating leaves.
In Australia, four species of pygmy possum, a handful of bat species and the short-beaked echidna are all known to hibernate for extended periods of the year.
But possums are also gourmets. They'll happily exist on a 90 per cent native diet, then mooch over to your roses for some variation. Winter parsley is especially tempting for possums. Possums can survive on winter gum leaves.
Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.
Because it turns out that opossums are allies in the fight against Lyme disease. Possums, like many other small and medium sized mammals, are hosts for ticks looking for a blood meal. But opossums are remarkably efficient at eliminating foraging ticks.
Common brushtail possums are territorial creatures, usually sleeping alone during the day in dens in tree hollows, rock piles or logs. Dens are often in limited supply in the bush and possums will compete for nesting sites, sometimes fighting to the death.
Their food can be supplemented with small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Do not feed possums almonds, cheese, onions, dairy products, green potatoes or junk food. Put food in containers in high, sheltered areas.
Most native animals are protected and cannot be kept as pets after recovery from injury or sickness. The animal must be released or transferred to someone with a permit to keep protected wildlife. The most commonly found orphaned animals are possums, kangaroo joeys and nestling birds.
Fish, canned cat or dog food are good opossum baits. To readily entice the opossum into the trap, use a small trail of bait leading to the trap. All traps should be checked in the morning and evening, so that captured animals may be dealt with in a humane manner. Release the animal several miles.
Possums can gain entry through loose roof tiles and holes the size of a tennis ball in timber or bricks.
Opossums are known for scavenging though trash. They are omnivores, which means they eat both vegetation and meat, and they aren't picky. In the wild, they will munch on nuts, grass and fruit. They will also hunt insects, mice, wild birds, snakes, worms and chickens.
Researchers have documented 18 different brushtail possum sounds. These include “grunting, growling, hissing, screeching, clicking and teeth-chattering calls, many of which would not be out of place on a horror movie soundtrack”.
They get into fights with dogs and cats and can inflict serious injury with their mouthful of sharp pointed teeth. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease.
Vultures and possums are two creatures that use foul odors to their advantage. Deodorant, perfume, soapy showers. Most humans make a big effort to smell good. But out in the wild, it can pay to reek.
Fish, canned cat or dog food are good opossum baits. To readily entice the opossum into the trap, use a small trail of bait leading to the trap. All traps should be checked in the morning and evening, so that captured animals may be dealt with in a humane manner. Release the animal several miles.
2. Sprinkling blood and bone fertiliser around the base of ornamental plants and fruit trees can act as a significant possum deterrent. They hate the smell, and will be less inclined to munch on treated plants! A spray made from Quassia chips (chips of bark from a South American tree).
DEAR JOAN: Something I have used in the past to get rid of skunks is moth balls — para-dichlorobenzene?. Scatter a handful under the deck or porch and the skunks will leave. Once you are sure they are gone, the space needs to be sealed off with wire mesh or tough hardware cloth.
Alternative options to manage possums
- Make a one-way flap out of metal or perspex with a hinge at the top.
- Prune all branches that lead to the roof.
- Build a 30 centimetre floppy fence on top of your existing paling fence.
- Place collars around the trunks of trees that give access to the roof.
Red fox urine is the all-natural, organic and humane way to deter most yard and garden pests including deer, rabbits, skunk, ground hogs and small rodents. Long used by gardeners, this proven non kill method utilizes 99% pure red fox urine predator scent to trigger the fight or flight response in small animals of prey.
