A Possum's Story - how to get them out of the roof

This little Brushtail possum was living in our ceiling when we bought our house.  He was leaving nasty little wet patches on our ceilings so we decided to evict him.  We installed a possum box in a nice quiet and shady spot on a tree in the garden.  We put all sorts of deliciously smelling treats such as pieces of bananas, mangos or apples at the entrance.  We waited until the food started disappearing over night so that we were sure he had discovered the box.  We then put a bright light in the ceiling and left it on all day for a few days.  We also put camphor around the ceiling (quassia chips also work).  He hated this and moved into his new apartment with very little stress.  We then blocked the entrance holes to the ceiling.

Now he has two homes; a summer cottage which has a few holes, and a new stylish winter apartment with a Colorbond roof.  He stays the odd night in the summer house but loves his penthouse and spends most of his time there. 

Some important factors to consider when relocating a possum out of your roof are:

• Ensure that you don’t move them too far away as they are very territorial and may even die as a result of the trauma

• Ensure that they know where the new box is, be patient and give them time to discover it

• Watch them leave the ceiling before blocking the holes

• Keep an eye on them for a few weeks to make sure that they are ok

• If the possum won't take up residence, consider moving it to another spot, there may be something off putting to the possum such as a snake or too much direct sunlight