Possums are preyed upon by a variety of animals, including large birds of prey (like Powerful Owls), reptiles (pythons, goannas), mammals (dingoes, quolls, foxes, dogs, feral cats), and humans (through trapping, poisoning, or vehicle collisions). Predators vary by location, with feral cats, foxes, and powerful owls being significant threats in Australia, while humans and cats are the main threats in New Zealand.
“Possums hate anything that overwhelms their senses—sharp odors like ammonia or garlic, sudden bursts of bright light, and noises or scents that hint a predator is nearby. Put those three triggers together and they'll bolt for the nearest tree instead of hanging around your porch.
The Common Brushtail Possum's main predators include Dingoes, pythons, foxes and cats.
Here are 10 proven ways for removing Possums from your property—and keep them gone:
“When a possum is hanging around your house, it usually means it's found something it needs—like food, shelter, or safety. Your yard might be offering easy meals, cozy hiding spots, or both. It's not just a random visit; it's a sign your property is meeting this wild animal's basic survival needs.”
They'll even clean up spilled garbage and fruit that has fallen off trees. If there's an opossum in your backyard, don't worry. They aren't a threat and more than likely will be moving on in a short while.
Possums sleep in nests, dens, and abandoned buildings. Possums sleep in nests in hollow trees or dens inside caves, attics, and abandoned buildings on the ground.
Possums do not attack other pets normally; they only do so when they come in contact with the animals. Possums cannot attack dogs and cats because of their sizes, however, Possums have been found to attack smaller rats, birds, and insects.
While possums rely more on their sense of smell and environmental cues, they can remember familiar individuals, including humans, over time. Their memory plays a significant role in navigating their surroundings and identifying potential threats or food sources.
Their food can be supplemented with small amounts of fruits and vegetables. Do not feed possums almonds, cheese, onions, dairy products, green potatoes or junk food.
A combination of the two is most effective. Opossums can be scared temporarily by loud, intermittent noises or lights. Try using motion sensors that activate jets of water, noisemakers or lights, but you may not get much sleep with the racket outside.
DO NOT TRAP. Opossums are transient animals, staying only 2-3 days in an area before moving on. Removal is neither necessary nor desirable.
Koalas are thickset arboreal marsupials with a thick grey fur. Found only living in Australia, they mainly live in the eucalyptus trees and spend around 22 hours of their time sleeping (90%).
Opossums are most active during spring and summer, wander widely in search of food, and rarely spend two consecutive days in the same spot. In the fall and winter, they occupy a more permanent nest lined with leaves.
Their feet have sharp claws for gripping, and they use their tails for balance. They use these climbing skills to hop onto a roof from nearby trees, bushes, fences, or power lines. Chain-link and wooden fences are a cinch for them to scamper up and over. Opossums can even climb up certain types of textured home siding.
Possums are opportunistic feeders, which means they'll keep returning to places where food is easy to find. Open garbage cans, fallen fruit in the yard, bird feeders, or leftover pet food are irresistible to them. Once they discover these resources, they often return night after night until the supply runs out.