Possums are protected native animals in New South Wales, rather than introduced pest animals. However, they can become a nuisance when they enter roof cavities, disturb occupants, damage garden plants or leave droppings and urine around a property.
Common brushtail possums are nocturnal and usually spend the day resting in tree hollows or other sheltered locations. In suburban areas, roof cavities can provide an appealing alternative when suitable natural hollows are scarce. Their natural diet primarily includes leaves, buds, flowers and fruit, although they may eat a wider range of food in urban environments. Environment and Heritage
If a possum is living in your roof, do not attempt to poison, injure or relocate it yourself. Possum management in NSW is regulated, and trapping or releasing a possum generally requires an appropriate wildlife licence.
Problems Possums Can Cause
Possums may eat fruit, flowers and young foliage from garden plants. Inside a roof, their movement can cause considerable noise, particularly at night. They may also disturb insulation, leave droppings or urine, and contribute to unpleasant odours.
Activity around electrical wiring may create a potential safety concern. If wiring appears damaged, arrange an inspection by a licensed electrician rather than attempting to repair it yourself.
A possum may enter through a damaged roof tile, uncapped opening, loose eave or another gap in the building. Once the animal has left, these openings need to be properly sealed to reduce the chance of it returning.
Are Possums Protected in NSW?
Yes. Possums are protected under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is illegal to capture and relocate a possum without the appropriate authority.
Licensed catch-and-release handlers must follow specific animal-welfare requirements. These include using approved live-capture methods and releasing an unharmed possum after sunset, on the same property and within 150 metres of where it was caught. Poison, lethal traps and snares must not be used. NSW Environment and Heritage
Before stating that Newcastle Pest Exterminators is licensed for this work, confirm that the business and attending personnel hold a current NSW catch-and-release possum licence. A general pest-management licence is not necessarily the same as a wildlife catch-and-release licence.
How to Keep Possums Out of Your Roof
You can reduce the likelihood of possums entering your home by:
- Repairing damaged tiles, eaves, vents and other roof openings.
- Trimming branches that provide direct access to the roof, where this can be done safely and without harming protected habitat.
- Securing rubbish bins and avoiding leaving pet food outdoors overnight.
- Checking that no possums or dependent young remain inside before sealing an entry point.
- Installing a suitable possum nest box nearby where appropriate.
- Using wildlife-friendly netting to protect vulnerable fruit trees and garden plants.
Do not seal an entry while a possum is still inside. A dependent young possum may also be present, so uncertain situations should be assessed by a suitably licensed handler. NSW guidance recommends moving possums from the building, providing an alternative nest site where suitable and preventing re-entry through careful roof repairs.
Possum Management in Newcastle
A possum in your roof requires a humane and legally compliant solution. The process should include identifying how the possum entered, determining whether young are present, arranging licensed capture and release when required, and sealing access points after the animal has left.
For assistance, contact Newcastle Pest Exterminators about its possum removal services. Ask the team to confirm the applicable wildlife licence and explain how exclusion, release and roof proofing will be handled at your property.
