Frequently asked questions about possums in Canberra
As a general rule, possums aren’t aggressive towards humans. However, they can become aggressive if threatened or cornered. An agitated possum can bite or scratch a human – transmitting harmful bacteria in the process.
Possums can transmit the following bacteria to humans: Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph), Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer), Francisella tularensis (Tularaemia) and Leptospira (Leptospirosis or Weil’s disease). It’s imperative not to handle possums or their body waste (urine, faeces).
Possums enter buildings through holes and gaps in roofs, walls and chimneys. That’s why it’s important to perform regular maintenance on your home or business premises.
No. Possums in Canberra are protected under the ACT Government’s Nature Conservation Act 2014. In NSW, possums are protected under the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
No. You can’t trap a possum in Canberra without the appropriate licence from the ACT Government.
A possum box is a good idea if you want a possum in your backyard. If you don’t want a possum in your backyard (for example, you might have domestic pets), then a possum box is probably not a great idea.
Canberra Possum Removal supplies and installs quality possum boxes in Canberra and Queanbeyan.
No. Cats and possums can get into fights. Both animals (in adult form) are evenly matched when it comes to a fight. However, an adult cat will overpower an infant possum.
No. Dogs will attack possums, though they rarely get the chance (due to their poor tree-climbing abilities).
Possums don’t like bright lights, loud noises and pungent smells (think camphor, ammonia, onions, garlic, blood and bone fertiliser, fish oil).
You probably need to cover your prized fruit trees, flowers and vegetables with possum-proof mesh. Other options include possum repellers (units that emit ultrasonic sounds), possum repellent sprays, quassia chips, motion sensor lights and ornamental garden owls with light-up eyes (just move them around regularly).
Yes and no. Possums in an urban setting will eat a wide range of things in order to survive, including eucalyptus leaves, pet food, flowers, insects, fruit and vegetables. However, it’s fair to say that possums love pears, grapes, bananas, mangoes, carrots, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and broccoli.
You should be seeking to protect your roses, gardenias, camellias, magnolias, fuchsias and crepe myrtles from possums. On the other hand, possums don’t appear to like chrysanthemums, geraniums, daisies and lavender plants.
Yes and no. In the absence of its favoured food sources, the common brushtail possum isn’t a fussy plant eater (due in part to its high tolerance to plant toxins).
Yes. That’s why possums are released within 50 metres of the capture site. Possums that stray into another possum’s territory can be attacked or starved out (resulting in death).
A passel.
A drey is a nest created in a tree hollow. It’s usually furnished with twigs, ferns and shredded bark. Common ringtail possums create dreys, whereas common brushtail possums don’t.