Summary :

Possums and rats are common animals that can find a way into the roof cavity to nest. This causes issues with noise, smell and damage to insulation and electricals. It is important to ensure the Strata is advised if you are having trouble with this, there may be an issue with other units or the area is often considered common property. 

Your strata manager will confirm if the roof cavity of your complex is common property or part of your lot if you are unsure. The council of the strata company will be able to decide on the action the strata company will take regarding managing the issue and finding out how many units are affected.  

Removing Possums

To remove a Possum from your roof the following steps may be of assistance to you-

• Provide an alternative home for the possum by constructing a sturdy weatherproof possum house
• Where possible, get inside your roof and locate the possum’s nest. The nest, which has the scent of the possum, should be placed in the new house to encourage the possum to its new home
•  Securely fix the possum house to a tree in or near your yard. Place it at least four metres from the ground so the possum will be out of reach of domestic cats and dogs
• To encourage the possum to investigate its new home, put half an apple or banana in or near the possum house
• Trim any branches that overhang the roof to remove access to your roof
• Spread some quassia chips throughout the roof cavity to repel the possum. You can usually find these at hardware stores, or your local Pharmacy may be able to order some for you
• If you can’t find quassia chips, you can repel the possum by spreading blocks of camphor or mothballs throughout the roof cavity. Do not use both camphor and moth balls as they react chemically with each other
• Place a light in the roof cavity and keep it switched on for three days. The combination of the light and the smell should drive the possum out of your roof and hopefully into the possum house you have provided
• If you do not hear the possum for a few nights, it has probably found a new home. To prevent the possum from returning, block off the access points into your roof with timber, chicken wire or both. Night time is the best time to block off the access points as the possum will have left to forage for food. Do not block off the access points unless you are certain the possum or possums have left your roof.

Alternatively, you can hire a possum trap from most local shire councils.  Fees are approximately $25.00 per week for the possum trap, this will vary on the different shires. 

Once you have caught the possum it must be released back onto your property at dusk. Bushland areas  rarely have any vacant territories, so if you were to release the possum in another area, it would have to search and compete with other possums for shelter and food in unfamiliar territory.