Tag Archives: possum problems
Is Pest Control Necessary in Winter?
When it comes to pest control, we automatically think of it being more necessary in summer. There are more flies, there are more ants and snakes come out of hibernation too. So, while there certainly are some reasons to be vigilant about pests in summer, there’s no reason to let your guard down in winter either. The possum, for example, is one of the main household pests that is most active in winter. Let’s take a look at why pest control is necessary in winter, particularly for possums, and what you can do to prevent possums from invading your space.
Possums look for new dens in winter
One of the biggest reasons to look into pest control during winter is the fact that possums look for new dens when it starts to get colder. This is when you’ll most likely hear scurrying across your roof at night, scratching on your tiles and that throaty, coughing sound that possums are well known for making. What they’re trying to do is scope out your roof and the surrounding area, seeing whether they can find an appropriate place to create a den and raise their young. While this may seem cute, we can guarantee that won’t be what you’re thinking at 2am with a possum wreaking havoc in your roof.
Steps to take for possum control in winter
It’s necessary to take preventative measures for possum activity in winter. One of the first things you should do is call a professional possum removalist. They’ll inspect your roof and your backyard, identifying possum entry points and creating a solution for your possum problems.
Possum-proofing your roof
A possum management expert will be able to spot entry points for possums in your roof and seal these points as a way of possum-proofing them. Then, when a possum tries to make a home out of your roof, it will be impossible for it to do so. Your possum management pro will also trim tree branches or point out any other ways for possums to access your roof.
Install possum boxes
As native animals, it’s our responsibility to look out for our local possums. One way we can create homes for possums without inviting them into our roofs is to install possum boxes. Your possum removalist can advise you on the best way to go about installing possum boxes in your yard, keeping them out of your roof.
Pest control is absolutely necessary in winter – unless you want a family of noisy, hyperactive possums moving in without paying a single cent in rent! To possum-proof your home this winter, and take care of any other pests, call up the team at Peter the Possum Man. They offer professional management of possums, rats, mice, wasps, cockroaches or any other form of pest. Servicing Melbourne and Adelaide, Peter the Possum Man provide top-quality, affordable protection that will guarantee your home is possum- and pest-free this winter.
How to Keep Your Home Possum and Rat-Free
While we may love animals, there are certainly some that we want to keep away from our homes. Possums and rats are common household pests that each have their own unwanted traits. Possums can damage your roof and keep you awake at night with their screeching and scratching, while rats are known for carrying diseases and compromising the hygiene standards of your home. So, to keep your home possum and rat-free, read our guide for tips below.
Get an inspection
Getting a professional in pest control to inspect your home is the first tip in keeping your home possum and rat-free. These experts are able to identify pest entry points, seal them up and spot anything else that could be attracting possums, rats or any other pest. Once a professional has given your home a once-over, you’ll have peace of mind that your home is pest-free.
Motion sensor lights
Motion sensor lights on your roof are a great way to keep possums away from your home. These bright lights scare off the nocturnal possum, preventing it from checking out your roof as its next home.
Repellents
There are repellents available for both possums and rats. Quassia chips are an effective repellent for possums. Buy them from your locally owned hardware store and spread them in vulnerable areas. Rat repellents come in the form of ultrasonic noise generators, producing high-pitched noises (not able to be heard by humans) that scare off rats and mice.
Keep food away
Keeping your food stored away from accessible places is another trick to having a possum and rat-free home. Possums are attracted to open bins outside, allowing them to rummage through the trash in hopes of scoring a snack. Keep these bins in a more secure location and make sure you don’t overfill them. Rats are attracted to food inside your home. Keep food scraps off the floor and be sure to regularly take out the kitchen and compost bins.
Prune branches that are near your roof
Possums love to hang out in trees, especially if they provide access to your roof. Keeping these trees pruned is a good way to keep possums off your roof. This way, they’ll have one less way to climb onto your roof at night and cause a ruckus. This service can be performed by a possum removalist like the team at Peter the Possum Man.
Keeping your home possum and rat free seems like a big task at first, but it gets a whole lot easier once you talk with the team at Peter the Possum Man. They’re one of Adelaide and Melbourne’s most experienced teams in possum control and other pest management. Get your home possum and rat proof today by booking an inspection with Peter the Possum Man.
6 Steps to Keep Possums Out of Your Home
Possums are like Geminis: they’ve got two sides to their personality. Possums are cute, fluffy, native animals but we want to appreciate them from a distance. When they get too close and make your roof their home, they become noisy, destructive and smelly creatures – and all of their good traits seem to vanish in a heartbeat! So, to keep possums out of your home, keep reading. We’ve given you 6 steps you can take to stave off possums.
1. Get an inspection
Getting a professional in pest control to inspect your home is the first tip in keeping possums out of your home. These possum experts are able to identify entry points, seal them up and spot anything else that could be attracting possums or any other pest. When a professional inspects your home, you’ll have peace of mind that possums won’t be able to access your roof and make a den out of it.
2. Trim branches near your roof
Branches that hang over your roof are one of the ways that possums climb on top of it. Keeping these branches pruned at all times will decrease the odds of a possum infestation. You can do this yourself with a ladder and clippers, or simply ask your possum expert, who will be able to do this for you.
3. Repellents
There are a number of repellents available for possums. One of the most popular is Quassia chips, which repel possums with their strong scent. Buy them from your locally-owned hardware store and spread them in vulnerable areas. Possums also hate the smell of garlic, so you could place crushed cloves around the place too.
4. Motion sensor lights
Motion sensor lights on your roof are a great way to keep possums away from your home. These bright lights scare off the nocturnal possum, preventing it from checking out your roof as its next home.
5. Install a possum box
Possum boxes are a great way to coexist with possums. They create a home for your furry friend while keeping them away from your roof. This way, you can appreciate these beautiful native creatures from a good distance.
6. Plant possum-repelling plants
Possums are repelled by a number of garden plants, including mint, geraniums and chrysanthemums. Planting these plants are a two in one: they not only keep possums away, but they also make your garden look fantastic.
If you need to keep possums out of your home, it’s best to talk to the possum bosses at Peter the Possum Man. Servicing Melbourne and Adelaide, they provide their years of experience in possum control at competitive prices. Contact the team at Peter the Possum Man to keep possums out of your home for good!
Is it bad to have possums in your roof?
They’re cute, fluffy, native animals… so how could it be bad to have possums living in your roof? Well, put simply, they just are. There are a bunch of reasons why it’s not ideal to have possums in your roof, including the state of your home and your personal health. In this post, we’re going to give you just a few reasons why you can’t keep possums in your roof and why you must call a professional to safely remove them.
They’re noisy!
Imagine you’re resting in a peaceful slumber in the middle of the night. Then, suddenly, you hear a barrage of little feet barrelling across your roof. Then comes the screeching, the scratching and the rest of the cacophony. That’s not the sound of a miniature zombie apocalypse – that’s the sound of possums wreaking havoc on your roof.
Possibly one of the worst possum noises occurs when they get underneath your floors. The scratching and hissing sounds are so close, as if you were watching a horror movie on Netflix. If possums were able to get into your roof, the last thing you want is them getting under your floors too.
Damaging to your home
Another reason why it’s bad to have possums in your roof is that they can cause damage to your home. Possums are known to break roof tiles, damage ceilings and chew on electrical wires. These problems are all expensive ones to fix, and the longer it goes on, the more you’ll have to pay in repairs once the possums are caught and released.
Droppings
Not only can they cause structural damage to your property, but they’ll disrespect the heck out of your home while they’re there too. You know the saying, “don’t crap where you eat”? Possums are crapping where you eat. Possum droppings in your roof are unhygienic and are an invitation for other insects attracted to the smell. Removing the possums means removing the doo-doo that they leave all over your home.
On top of this, possum urine has a very distinct and pungent smell. Like cat urine, it’s incredibly hard to get rid of and requires cleaning and ventilating. The longer you allow possums to inhabit your roof, the harder it will be to get rid of the foul odour.
What to do if possums are in your roof
Now that you know why it’s bad to have possums in your roof, it’s time to do something about it. Calling a professional possum removalist like Peter the Possum Man is the most effective way of getting the possums out and making sure they can’t come back. The team at Peter the Possum Man will locate the entry points, humanely and safely remove the possums, block the entry points, repair any damage and release the possums back into the wild. With over 75 years of experience, they can make it seem as if the possums were never there, so contact Peter the Possum Man today.
How to Get Rid of Possums from Your Home
When we talk about ‘getting rid’ of possums from our homes, we don’t mean we never want to see them again. They’re beautiful creatures and they have a right to live safe, happy lives alongside our own. We simply mean we don’t want them as housemates or running amok on our roofs. There are a few great ways to get rid of possums from your home safely and humanely.
Consult an expert
The first thing to do when there are possums in your home is to consult a professional possum removalist like Peter the Possum Man. They’ll inspect your home, determine ways in which possums are gaining access, install one-way passages to let the possums out of your roof or floor without letting them back in, and then permanently block the entrances. They’ll also point out other areas of your home which allow for the entry of possums and tell you how to fix them.
Install a possum box
If you’re a lover of animals, including possums, then this is an ideal way to get possums out of your home and into your backyard. A possum removalist will need to work their magic and remove the possum from your home first. Then, they’ll be able to set up a wooden possum box in a tree in your yard. The next step is to fill the box with fresh fruit to invite the possum into its new home before your possum removalist releases it near the possum box. This way, you can appreciate your furry friends without waking up in the middle of the night to screeching, scratching and scampering on your roof.
Plants
If the main concern around possums in your home involves your garden, then we’ve got a trick you can use to get rid of them. There are plenty of plants that possums steer clear of, including geraniums, mint and prickly plants like banksias and hakeas. Plant these around your garden or veggie patch to prevent possums from making their mark on it.
Repellents
There are a few repellents that are said to be effective on possums. Garlic is one scent that possums are repulsed by. Others have reported Tabasco sauce and Quassia chips to be an effective method of getting rid of possums from your home. Consult your possum removalist to determine which repellent is best for you.
Getting rid of possums from your home may seem like a big task, but when you have help from a professional like Peter the Possum Man, it becomes a whole lot easier. They have the right equipment and expertise to solve your possum problem quickly and effectively. The team at Peter the Possum Man have over 75 years of experience in possum removal, resulting in countless happy suburban homeowners and happy possums too.
How much does it cost to remove a possum?
Possums are kind of like sharks. Well, not really. But think about sharks being amazing, beautiful creatures that are fascinating to watch, and yet you never want to get too close to them. Possums are like that: obviously, for different reasons. So, if you’ve got a possum problem in your home, it’s absolutely necessary that you hire a professional to handle it. Since it’s not a service that you pay for regularly, it’s understandable that one question is lingering in your mind… how much does it cost to remove a possum? Let’s go through a few factors that determine how much it will cost for possum removal.
The repairs that need doing
Catching and releasing a possum is easy – it’s fixing the mess that it caused which can be time-consuming. If your possum removalist inspects your home and finds that the possums have been quite polite and haven’t caused much damage, the service as a whole will cost less than if the possums were being naughty.
When possums are being naughty, they can get up to a fair bit of mischief. Roofs, ceilings and electrical wires are the most common parts of your home which possums are likely to damage. If the possums in your roof have broken roof tiles or damaged your ceiling, then a good possum removalist will be able to replace and repair where possible. This necessary service will cost a bit more to complete.
A good possum removalist will also inspect your gables. If they need repointing due to possum damage, this will also contribute to the cost of your possum removal.
The number of access points
If there are more than a single access point, then more work will need to be done and it will, in turn, cost more to effectively remove the possums. Each access point needs to be sealed off with proper equipment, materials and workmanship. Of course, all access points must be sealed, otherwise, your possum problems will persist.
Where the possums are located
Where the possums are located in your home – on the roof or under the house – determines how much the removal service will cost. There are different methods and different equipment that must be used in each circumstance, and this will affect the cost of the operation.
Who you hire
Finally, hiring the right team for the job will also affect the cost of removing a possum. The experts at Peter the Possum Man provide competitive prices for all of their services, ensuring you are permanently rid of your possum issues while saving you a buck. With over 75 years’ experience, they know that keeping customers happy lies in fair pricing and the best quality service. If you want to know how much it costs for a team of highly experienced professionals to remove possums from your home, call Peter the Possum Man for a quote and inspection today.
How do I stop possums getting on my roof?
Possums may be cute, fluffy and iconic Australian animals, but the last thing you want is for them to make your roof their home or their playground. If there’s a possum on your roof, we can pretty much guarantee you’ll know about it. The screeching, the scratching, the scampering of little feet across your roof… all these sounds are bound to wake up even the heaviest of sleepers. Luckily, there are ways you can stop possums getting on your roof and that’s what we’re going to discuss today.
Blocking off openings
A professional possum removalist will look for openings and entry points to stop possums from getting on your roof. They know where to look and know the common entry points for possums in suburban neighbourhoods. This will stop the possums from moving into your place, rent-free. Possums cause damage to your property when they move into your roof, like breaking roof tiles, chewing electrical wires and damaging ceilings. Getting a possum removalist to block the entry points will make sure that this won’t happen.
Lights with motion sensors
Your possum expert may also suggest a motion sensor-activated spotlight as a way to keep possums from getting on your roof. Possums hate bright lights. When a possum crosses the sensor, the light will activate and frighten the possum away. Talk to a possum removalist before buying one, to see whether this is a suitable option for you.
Repellents
If you’re more worried about the possums using your roof as a playground at night, then one way to stop them may be to use a repellent. Though the results of possum repellents have been inconsistent, it’s an easy and worthwhile method of trying to stop them from getting on your roof. From garden fertilizers to natural products like Quassia chips and household products like Tabasco sauce, there are a range of repellents that have been known to work on possums. Consult your possum expert before investing in a repellent.
Remove food
Possums are attracted to the smell of food. If your garbage bins are easy to access or your pet’s food is left outside, the possums are more likely to be attracted to your home and, therefore, your roof. Securing your bins and taking your pet’s food inside at night are good ways to deter possums from your home.
The best way to stop possums getting on your roof is to simply call a possum removalist like Peter the Possum Man and let them take care of it for you. A possum professional will know all the right ways to stop possums wreaking havoc on your roof. This is the only way to guarantee that your roof is free from possums, for good. Contact the expert team at Peter the Possum Man for the most effective possum proofing service.
How do I get rid of possums?
Possums may look cute and may be an Australian icon, but we should all be able to appreciate them from a distance. Having possums in your roof or underneath your floor is an irritating problem. Not only are they noisy but they can also damage your home.
Getting rid of possums from your home can be complicated. There are a few reasons why doing it yourself can be more trouble than it’s worth. So, in this post we’re going to tell you the best way to get rid of possums and why it’s best to call in a professional.
Possums are native animals
Possums being native animals doesn’t just imply that there is a strong sense of patriotism attached to them. It means there are certain laws that protect them and that indicate how you can deal with them if they’re wreaking havoc in your home. The laws differ slightly from state to state, but here’s a break down of some laws around trapping possums:
- Some states require you to have a license to trap a possum.
- You must use a cage that won’t harm the possum in the process, usually available through pest control businesses or wildlife rescue services.
- Once trapped, they must not be kept in direct sunlight or in rainy or windy conditions. They mustn’t be kept in the presence of domestic pets.
- You must release the possum on the same day it’s caught, after sunset.
- You must not release the possum more than 50 metres away from your property. It is illegal to relocate a possum as they will not survive in a new territory.
There are penalties for breaking the rules
Breaking any of these rules around trapping and releasing possums can result in fines. We’re not talking about a slap on the wrist either; breaking these laws can result in a fine of up to $7,500. So while it is possible to trap and release possums on your own, it may not even permanently solve your possum problem, and further, getting it wrong could cost you, big time.
Permanently getting rid of possums in a safe, ethical and cost-effective way
The best way to get rid of possums from your home is simple: call a professional possum removalist. An expert possum removal team like the one at Peter the Possum Man will talk you through the process of making sure your possums are kept away from your house for good. This involves locating the possum nest, blocking off entry points to your roof or under your floor, trapping the possums and releasing them safely. Then, you can appreciate our native bush critters without them being too close. The team at Peter the Possum Man have over 75 years’ experience in removing possums, so to get rid of your possum issues, give them a call today.
Finding the best possum deterrent
Possums are often seen as major pests due to the damage they can cause and disease that they can spread. There’s no doubt if you have a possum in your roof or walls it can cause major issues and keep you awake at night. Not to mention the damage that they can cause to your garden and trees. But its important to also remember that in Victoria and South Australia there are 13 protected species of possums including the common brushtail possum and its super cute ringtail cousin.
Peter The Possum Man loves possums!
Its a common misconception that capturing a possum and moving it to another location will get rid of your possum troubles. Usually when this happens the poor possum starves to death as its often released into a foreign territory where they are unable to compete with the possums already established there and other possums will just move in to replace the one that you have removed. It’s also illegal to move possums more than 50 metres from your building (under the Wildlife act 1975). At Peter The Possum Man we treat captured possums gently and respectfully to ensure that they are not put under any more stress than is necessary. When we release them we look for suitable trees to release them into. If suitable trees cannot be found we can supply a Possum Box. Finally the most important thing is to ensure the possum cannot return to your roof and so we block all entry points.
How to get rid of possums
Possums are naturally found throughout Australian suburbs and as they are a protected species under the Wildlife act 1975 which prohibits trapping or eradication without a license, they can be a difficult pest to remove which can damage your property and spreads disease.
This means the best way of removing them is to Peter the Possum Man on 1300933789 as we are fully licensed to catch and remove possums from your property.
Once caught caged possums are released on site in accordance with the conditions of our Wildlife Control License which recognises that possums generally do not survive relocation.
Possum Deterrent
Once possums have been removed from your building we make sure all entry points are blocked and inaccessible. Its important to setup an alternative for the possum so nesting boxes can be used if they don’t have an appropriate alternative.
