Possum Removal

Heard scratching and thumping in the roof at night? Across the Hills District and greater Sydney, that is very often a possum that has moved into your roof void. Possums are a protected native species in NSW, so it is against the law to kill or harm them. They have to be trapped and released, and there are rules about how it is done, which is exactly what So Pest Off is set up for.

Because possums are protected, a possum caught in your roof CANNOT be taken away and dumped somewhere else. It has to be released close by, right near where it was living and next to something it can climb straight away, so it can survive the move. We handle every possum job with that in mind.

Why You Don’t Want a Possum in the Roof

They look harmless enough, but a possum living in your roof causes real problems:

• They can bring fleas and ticks in that transfer to your pets.
• They damage ductwork and insulation moving around the roof.
• They break roof tiles and architrave getting in and out.
• Their droppings can cause skin conditions, ulcers and mites.

How We Trap and Relocate Possums

Possum removal is a patient job, not a one-visit fix. Our technician sets up cages or one-way trap doors and comes back on site every day until every possum is safely out. Where there is a whole family living in a roof void, that can mean a few traps and a few return visits before the job is done. It takes as long as it takes, because the aim is to get them out safely, not quickly.

Once they are out, a few simple things help keep them from coming back:

• Motion-activated sprinklers
• Motion-activated lights
• Leaving pet hair trimmings in the roof, if you have a dog or cat, tends to put them off
• Garlic in the roof cavity to deter them
• Mothballs, another smell possums dislike
• Chicken wire over fruit and vegetables in the yard

Sealing the Roof So They Stay Out

Possums normally shelter in tree hollows, and when those run short they push into roofs through whatever gap they can find. Getting them out is only half the job. Once the roof is clear, you have to seal the entry points, or the next possum simply moves into the space the last one left. Our technicians will walk you through the best fixes for your place, which usually means sealing gaps, trimming overhanging branches, covering open vents and repairing broken roof tiles. Food is the other drawcard, so keep compost bins covered and secure where fruit and vegetables are growing nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to kill a possum in NSW?

Yes. Possums are a protected native species in NSW, so it is against the law to kill or harm them. They have to be trapped and released nearby under the relevant wildlife rules. So Pest Off only ever traps and relocates possums, we never harm them.

How do you get a possum out of the roof?

We set cages or one-way trap doors in the roof void and return on site each day until every possum is out. A family of possums can take several visits and more than one trap. Once they are clear, we help you seal the entry points so they cannot get back in.

How long does possum removal take?

It varies with how many possums are in the roof. A single possum can be a few days, while a family can take longer because our technician returns daily until they are all out. We would rather take the extra time and do it safely and legally than rush it.

How do I stop possums coming back?

Seal the roof once it is clear. That means closing gaps, trimming branches that give roof access, covering vents and fixing broken tiles. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers, plus removing easy food like uncovered fruit and open compost, all help keep them from settling back in.

Call So Pest Off today to book your possum inspection. We will get them out safely, keep it legal, and help you shut the door behind them.