Your tips for keeping possums away

Possums are adorable when they are climbing trees and dashing across electrical wires. But it can be frustrating when they are munching on your home-grown fruit and vegetables or keeping you up at night by dancing on the roof.

Fortunately, I'm sure the Workshop community can come to the rescue of anyone struggling with neighbourhood possums.

What are your tips for keeping possums out of your garden or away from your house?

Jason

Community manager's note: Due to the popularity of possum discussions on the site, we have created two helpful guides:

How to protect your plants from possums

How to deter possums from your roof

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Comments

greygardener

I can tell you one thing that doesn't work - those plastic owls.

I would try odour repellants based on this:

"A recent Deakin University study into 14 alleged taste and odour repellents found that when possums were hungry none of the taste repellents tested stopped them from eating what they wanted. But five of the 10 odour repellents appeared to have some effect. These included naphthalene flakes, blood and bone, and garlic spray."

MartyH

Spotlights with motion detectors can work well. You just need to know which trees or wires the possums are using to get into your garden and position the lights accordingly. They will soon avoid the area.

Branchy249

I have heard that sprinkling chilli powder or some other spicy/hot powder on the fruit or vegies that they are eating will deter them. I haven't personally used it but have heard it from many sources.

You just need to ensure you wash the fruit and vegies before you eat them!

Don_the_Berk

I've had some real success with bark chips from the quassia tree, which is a plant found in the West Indies. (No, not that plant found in the West Indies, I said the quassia tree.)

The bark contains a very bitter resin, which the plant uses as an insect repellant, but if you boil the bark chips, you end up with a very bitter liquid you can use as a spray which will make your plants taste horrible to a possum, or pretty much an other sentient being.

I've used this stuff to protect an ornamental grapevine. I had problems with possums eating all the new growth (they would much on it as an entree on their way to visiting a fruiting loquat further down the fence). I started spraying the quassia bark spray, and the possums soon learnt my grapevine wasn't as tasty as they thought it might be.

I purchased my bark chips from Herb Cottage in QLD, and their website gives more info on how to make up a spray and apply it:

http://www.herbcottage.com.au/dried-quassia-chips.html

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/401#Comment_401

@Don_the_Berk

Welcome to Workshop. It's great to have you join us as one of our founding members. I hope you find the site useful and thank you for already sharing your knowledge and experience with others.

Looking forward to reading more about your projects soon.

Jason

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62518#Comment_62518

Guys, I'm not a fan of possums, believing we have plenty of them here and that they will continue to multiply exponentially like rabbits. If you get rid of them from your place they become someone else's problem. My answer is similar to the Kiwis and put a bounty on their head and turn them into sweaters, gloves and socks. My Greenie mates bag me for this stance, but still don't have an answer to the problem. Make 'em a business, not a problem.

KingStreetReno

My dog is the self-appointed 'possum hunter' in our household.

He can smell them from a mile away and loves jumping up on the fence barking at them...drives us mad.

The family of possums who were living in our courtyard have now moved to the tree across the road to escape from him! Problem solved 🙂

Isobel

I recently got recommended this - SCAT.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/multicrop-2l-scat-rtu-animal-repellent_p2960120

Must give it a try with the spring vegetables.

Isobel

This is an interesting idea - Whites Garden Sentinel Motion Activated Pest Deterrent

Whites Bird Spike Pest Control Garden Sentinel is a useful tool to protect your crops, gardens, backyards, ponds and other open areas from unwanted animals in a safe and humane way. The smart infrared sensor activates a three-second burst of water with adjustable angle, range, and sensitivity. It has a garden hose attachment and optional eye and beak labels.

Anyone tried it? Or had success with other methods?

Mick

Possums are territorial so not easy to keep away. A good solution if they are in the roof is to erect a possum box in a tree near the house. You can lure them with some fruit. They will typically prefer to live in the box than in your roof.

johnpietila

how can Brisbane residents prevent possums eating their garden produce?

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5081#Comment_5081

Welcome to Workshop @johnpietila.

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble with possums. What are you growing that they like to eat? I'm sure Workshop members will be happy to help. There's also plenty of tips in this older discussion - Your tips for keeping possums away.

Feel free to post on Workshop anytime you need a hand or have something to share. We look forward to reading about your projects and plans, and are confident that our community will provide plenty of helpful tips, information and inspiration along the way.

Let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site, or have any feedback about how we can improve Workshop for you.

All the best,

Jason

Deanna

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64691#Comment_64691

Hi @johnpietila

I'm a wildlife rescuer/carer and I currently have two possums rehabilitating in my backyard LOL

Have a read of this article as it has some good suggestions:
Living with Possums

Good luck!

Deanna

greygardener

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/5081#Comment_5081

What are they eating @johnpietila? Can you tell us a bit about your vegie garden so we can provide some advice? Have you tried nets or any deterrents so far? Odour repellants can work.

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3367#Comment_3367

Anyone seen this in Bunnings?

It doesn't seem to be on the website.

https://www.openforum.com.au/protecting-your-garden-from-possums/

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65281#Comment_65281

Yates do have it listed though.

https://www.yates.com.au/product/home-pest/rodent-pest-control/yates-possum-repellent-spray

pjturner2008

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94037#Comment_94037

Whether we like it or not possums are a native animal and are protected in Australia. They are by no means as big a problem here as they are in New Zealand. My resident possums are now leaving my fruit and vegetables alone since I have been feeding our local family. They love bananas, pawpaw, sultanas, pear and stone fruit. They arrive on my balcony at 9.00pm sharp every evening for dinner and they are quite affectionate. I look forward to their visits and they now leave my crops alone. Give it a go.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114536#Comment_114536

Thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your experiences @pjturner2008. Looking forward to reading more of your posts soon.

Please don't hesitate to post anytime you need a hand with a project or have something to share with our members.

Jason

kjs

Hi there - we have a lovely feature feijoa tree in our back garden. Only problem is the possums love it as much as we do. We've given up expecting fruit. Now we're just aiming for foliage on the top 2/3s of the canopy and an end to the boundless possum poo under the tree every morning. The possums are accessing the tree from across a brick and timber boundary fence. Spraying the foliage would be challenging as the tree is in a raised bed and is 4-5 metres high. Any thoughts for something that could be applied to the wall and fence? Or will this just encourage them to climb the tree from the ground up. Our dog refuses to sleep outdoors at night so he's not an option.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8315#Comment_8315

Oh dear. I hope that our clever and creative community members have some helpful suggestions for you @kjs.

Let me also extend a warm welcome to the community. We're really pleased to have you join us and trust that you'll get loads of helpful information, advice and inspiration for all your projects around the house and garden from our wonderful members. Please don't hesitate to post whenever you need a hand or have something to share.

Jason

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8315#Comment_8315

Welcome to the Workshop community @kjs.

You could use Multicrop 2l Scat Animal Repellent which has an adjustable spray nozzle. If you adjust the nozzle to a thin spray, it will travel close to the 5 meters needed to reach the top of the plant. Spraying the walls down also wouldn't be an issue. It would be advised to spray around the base of the tree so they don't use that as an alternate route up it.

Please let me know if you need further assistance with this product or had other questions.

Mitchell

dirtygardener

We have a resident possum (Danthony - named after a few drinks) and I have tried many things. The most successful has been simply throwing blood and bone around the garden beds. Gives the garden a feed as well. You can also put some in the end of pantyhose leg and hang in trees etc. This is Danthony with his (her) baby a few months. Snacking on some apple.

MariaOAKLEIGH

this my lovely backyard where I live rent house. it my aunt's own. she and I Grr over Possum Problem.... it Poo over floor. one night I set on video I catch see possum poo about between 4am to 6am night time... I tire tell next door who did feed possum or not.

I live unit on floor and lots house around - some nice tree but problem is POO! i got fake owl with head moving when wind blow. but it not work, I keep moving 2nd day each time... I tire...... so do you think SPIKED FENCE is working??? I tire SEARCH to proof but nothing show. aunt and I know we plan order Rolling line on fence but it cost lots. I just need time think about to get rolling but first hear what your think? I live rent for 6 years. love place peace view of my backyard lots of wood I love. but I had nightmares over possum poo I keep clean all time. one time I forget clean poo before friends over.... one my friend not see and she step on poo and got inside my house I was like YELL NO NO.

PLEASE HELP HELP it nightmares over POO!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8438#Comment_8438

Looks like a lovely area @MariaOAKLEIGH. I hope the ever-helpful Workshop community have some useful suggestions for you.

Have you tried spot lighting with motion sensors? Or Multicrop 2l Scat Animal Repellent on any nearby trees and plants that they are attracted to?

Jason

KHEricF

Great tips @Jason!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8450#Comment_8450

Thanks @KHEricF,

Feel free to join in the discussion on Workshop anytime. Our clever and creative members are always sharing helpful advice and project inspiration.

Jason

KevinBrisbane

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95003#Comment_95003

Great guidance in that article. thanks Deanna

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114634#Comment_114634

Hi @KevinBrisbane,

It's fantastic to see you join the discussion after being a member for such a long time! Got any projects going on around your home or garden? Having issues with possums at the moment?

Mitchell

KevinBrisbane

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125098#Comment_125098

Mitchell

yes I planted up our pots and boxes at the weekend with some herbs veggies and flowers and possums wrecked the lot 🙁

i have some good ideas now that I'll try today and over the weekend when replanting and addressing the carnage.

Cheers Kev

bect73

I’ve tried 2 plastic falcons perched in fence posts- useless. 1 reflective owl with bells-useless. Mothballs in plastic hangers-useless. Cloudy ammonia in plastic jars with a hole in lid and piece of rag coming out top ( like a wick) -useless. My next trial is a handful of blood and bone in old stockings hanging off fence posts and garden shed.

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