How to Get Rid of Possums

Possums are a regular visitor in gardens across Australia. While they aren’t a particular threat to humans, they can be a nuisance, especially when they decide to occupy your roof or rummage your garden for food. Yes possums are annoying, but they are significant to the Australian ecosystem, playing a vital role in maintaining biodiversity through seed dispersal and natural insect control.

In Australia, possums are strictly protected by law. This means that killing, harming or even illegally relocating them is not only inhumane but also a criminal offencse. While trapping and moving a possum might seem like a kind gesture, research shows it is often a death sentence. Studies indicate that manually relocated common brushtail possums typically suffer highly stressful deaths shortly after being released. Disoriented in unfamiliar territory, they struggle to find safe, elevated shelter. In fact, nearly 68% are forced to den on or beneath the ground during their first week. This unnatural ground-dwelling behavior induces severe stress and leaves them entirely exposed to introduced predators like foxes.

What Damage Can Possums Cause to Homes?

Possums are nocturnal creatures that like to live in dens during the day. These dens can be created using a variety of suitable locations, sometimes a hollow in a tree trunk, a man-made nesting box, or perhaps space in the roof.

When they are located on the roof of a home, they can cause significant damage. They can bring food into the den, which can rot and cause mould. In addition, they can be relatively smelly, leaving their droppings that cause additional moisture as well as spread disease. They can also cause significant damage to the building creating a hole to access the roof, scurrying about in the building, and chewing on electrical wires

Luckily, compared to other pests such as rats and mice, possums don’t live in colonies. So if there is an uninvited guest in your home, you’re likely to deal with just a single possum rather than a passel.

Health Problems Caused by Possums

There are lots of reasons why possums are undesirable. One of these is the potential for diseases to be spread. Possums can carry ticks and mites that might spread to pets or humans, which can cause several potentially painful conditions.

In addition, possum urine and faeces contain bacteria responsible for diseases such Buruli Ulcer (a bacterial infection that causes progressive, non-healing skin wounds and can lead to extensive tissue or bone damage if left untreated), Tularaemia (this infection causes high fever, skin ulcers, and painfully swollen lymph glands) and Leptospirosis (an infection that can lead to fever, headaches, and muscle aches).

How to Deter Possums from Roof Spaces

There are numerous ways to deter possums from roof spaces in your home. Here are some of the options that you can use -

Wireless Rechargeable Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

Roof cavities are a possum’s favourite real estate. In urban areas, roof cavities offer the same warmth of a tree cavity. Some roof cavities often lack power outlets, making it difficult to install a plug and play possum deterrent device. EnviroBug’s Wireless Rechargeable Ultrasonic Pest Repeller is designed to solve this exact challenge by providing a versatile, cordless solution that can be placed anywhere in your roof, ensuring your home stays protected without the need for fixed electrical wiring. This possum deterrent packs enough power for a week, providing you continuous protection against possums.

The Brute

The Brute is a plug and play ultrasonic possum deterrent that emits ultrasonic sound at variable frequencies to deter possums. The Brute is perfect for large home and commercial spaces with four customisable deterrence modes and nine LEDs for maximum coverage.

Stealthy 360 Degree Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (4th Generation)

The Stealthy 360 Degree Ultrasonic Pest Repeller is the perfect possum deterrent for smaller spaces. These ultrasonic possum deterrents operate using three disruption modes and flashing lights to deter possums.

How to Deter Possums from Backyards/Gardens

Garden Sentinel Motion Activated Animal Sprinkler

The Garden Sentinel is a highly effective tool that uses a startling burst of water and noise to drive possums away instantly. Its infrared sensor detects movement up to 10 metres away, triggering a three-second spray that covers an impressive 120 square metres of garden. Because it is solar-powered, you can position it anywhere without worrying about power cables or battery changes. This device provides a humane and chemical-free way to teach pests that your veggie patch is off-limits.

The Garden Guardian

This solar possum repellent device uses a combination of high-frequency ultrasonic pulses and flashing LED lights to overwhelm a possum's senses. The unit features an infrared sensor that monitors a 10-metre range, ensuring it only activates when an intruder is actually present. It is designed specifically for the harsh Australian climate with an IPX65 weather-resistant rating and UV-stabilised housing. Operating entirely on solar energy with a rechargeable battery backup, it offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for 24/7 garden protection.

Garden Watchman

As our toughest line of outdoor defence, the Garden Watchman features four adjustable frequency modes to target specific pests, including possums, rodents, and even larger animals like kangaroos. It boasts a detection range of up to 13-metres and an intense white strobe light that is particularly effective at disorienting nocturnal visitors. The unit is equipped with a high-capacity 2000mAh battery that charges via sunlight, though it also includes a USB port for backup during long periods of overcast weather. This versatile repeller is ideal for protecting larger perimeters, fruit orchards, or areas where possums have become particularly persistent.

Why Use Environmentally Friendly Products

For the past 18 years, EnviroBug has been a dedicated advocate for humane pest control solutions that protect your home without inflicting harsh consequences on the environment or local wildlife. We believe that securing your property shouldn't come at the cost of nature.

Mice, rats, possums, and birds all play crucial roles in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Because of this, our philosophy focuses entirely on prevention rather than eradication. Ultrasonic deterrent devices are not designed to trap or harm creatures; instead, they create an unappealing environment that gently encourages pests to move on and live where they actually belong—in the wild.

It is important to remember that many native animals, such as possums and certain birds, are strictly protected under law, making it highly illegal to harm or kill them. Furthermore, using traditional poisons and toxins introduces the devastating risk of secondary poisoning. When a natural predator, local wildlife, or even a beloved family pet consumes a poisoned pest, those toxins are passed up the food chain. This creates a deadly domino effect that can devastate the local ecosystem.

By relying on ultrasonic possum deterrent devices, you eliminate the need for dangerous chemicals and avoid accidentally harming non-target animals.

Final Word: How to Deter Possums

Dealing with possums in your property and home can be stressful, but managing them doesn't have to involve dangerous chemicals or illegal methods. As we've explored, the most effective and environmentally responsible approach is consistent, humane deterrence. By utilising innovative solutions like ultrasonic possum deterrents, you can protect your property from damage and health risks while gently forcing these vital animals back into their natural habitats.