Possums

Brushtails are about 1.2 – 4.5 kg in size. They are omnivorous (eating both plants and animals) feeding on leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and small invertebrates. They rest during the day in tree hollows or other dark cavities, including in built structures.

Ringtails are smaller than brushtails, around 700 – 900 gm in size. They are herbivorous (only eating plants), feeding primarily on eucalyptus leaves and fresh plant shoots, but they also eat flowers and fruits. They rest during the day in large spherical nests (dreys) in the protected branches of a tree. They may also live in hollows and occasionally use built structures, but they are less likely to do so than brushtails.

You may be lucky enough to encounter some of our other South Australian possum species such as the western pygmy possum, little pygmy possum or eastern pygmy possum. These species are generally not considered to cause impacts to people.

Possums in roofs

If possums, most likely to be brushtails, have found an access point inside your roof or shed, you may be experiencing some impacts such as:

• banging noises inside your ceiling space or walls
• smell or property damage from urine or droppings
• property damage from chewing or scratching.

Possums in gardens or on farms

If you have noticed that possums are finding shelter and food by living in or visiting your property, you may have experienced some of the following impacts:

• banging noises on top of your roof
• damage to fruit or vegetable crops
• damage to ornamental garden plants and flowers
• damage to germinating crops
• disturbance of dogs or other pets
• safety concerns due to droppings fouling walkways or rainwater stores.

Sometimes possum impacts may be confused with the impacts of rats or mice in your roof or garden, one way to determine this is by identifying the animal’s droppings.

Possums in roofs

• Exclude possums from entering your roof by blocking entry points, creating one-way exits and trimming overhanging branches.
• Provide wildlife nest boxes in your garden as alternative homes.
• Hire a licenced possum pest controller.
• Apply for a permit to trap and release possums and follow the guidelines.
• Note that possums may only be trapped inside your roof space or built structure. It is unlawful to:
  • trap a possum in your garden
  • release a possum more than 50 m away from your home.

Please read our possums in your roof factsheet for more information on these techniques.

It is not permitted to destroy possums living in your roof. For everything you need to know about how to trap and release a possum in your roof, visit managing possums.

Possums in gardens or farms

• Trim back branches that are overhanging roofs, fences or walkways.
• Restrict access to fruit trees, vegetable or grain crops using ‘tree collars’, fence barriers or netting.
• Plant alternative food source native plants.
• Plant non-palatable garden plants.
• Use non-toxic natural deterrents or commercial deterrents.
• Remove overnight access to pet food.
• Keep pets inside a night.
• Guard gutters and pipes to exclude droppings.

Note, you can only trap and release possums from your roof space or built structure (not in your garden). For more information on managing possums in gardens, see our possums and gardens factsheet.

It is only possible to obtain a permit to destroy brushtail possums causing impacts on Kangaroo Island, for more information see managing possums.

Although populations of the common brushtail possum are secure in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island, this species is listed as rare in the threatened species schedules of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act). This is because the range and distribution of common brushtail possums in other parts of South Australia has declined.

Possums are protected under the NPW Act. The NPW Act makes it an offence to catch, interfere with, harass or kill protected wildlife, or attempt to do so, without a permit. The ill treatment of animals is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 1985.