How to Deter Possums from Your Garden

Possums in the Australian or New Zealand garden can be a real nuisance. However, they are a different animal from the opossum, which are the only marsupial in the northern hemisphere and require slightly different tactics to deter.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California Integrated Pest Management ProgramResearch-based pest management program run by the University of California's Cooperative ExtensionGo to source}^{[2]XResearch source} If the possum takes a fancy to your fruit crop or your favorite tree, the animal can completely decimate it. More so than their relatives in the northern hemisphere, possums native to Australia (with the brushtail variety introduced to New Zealand) are adept, flexible, and creative climbers. Thus, you will need to find creative ways to discourage them from getting into your garden, eating specific plants, or blocking them from your yard altogether.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Blocking Access

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1
Know what to protect. Possums seem to be fond of new growth on deciduous vines, fruit on fruit trees, and some of the new growth on pruned evergreens. Possums damage the plants when they eat the new growth, so this needs to be prevented.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Possums may remove all of the buds, thereby weakening the plant, creating bare patches, and making it easier for plant diseases to take hold.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Keep this in mind when planting new plants in your yard or when planting a garden. If you plant things a possum doesn't like, such as prickly and smelly plants like a tea tree or geraniums for example, they are less likely to be destroyed.
2
Protect individual fruits and vegetables. For example, there are cloth bags that are made to cover individual fruits in a tree. Each one can be covered separately.^{[5]XResearch source} This will stop the possums from getting to the fruit and does not interfere with the growth of the fruit.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You can also use old plastic plant pots with a slit down the side to protect individual fruits or vegetables. Place the fruit inside the pot, so that it is mostly covered but can still grow.
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3
Enclose garden beds. Instead of keeping possums out of your yard, you can just try to keep them out of specific garden beds. The best way to do this is to create a full enclosure out of chicken wire.
- This may make tending your garden a little more difficult but it will assure that your plants survive.
4
Block all entry points. Possums may make their way into your eaves or other access points on your house or shed. Possums trying to get into your garden shed or house eaves can be deterred by covering openings with permanent covers, such as pieces of wood, or by using anti-bird netting over any holes or entrance points.
- Just make sure that the possums are not inside the shed or eaves when you cover them, as you could trap them inside.
- If you're not sure how the possums are getting in, patrol the area at dusk and watch for possums leaving their den.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Deterring Climbing

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1
Make it hard for possums to climb structures or plants. If the possum is using a structure to get to the plant, make the structure difficult to climb. Wrap galvanized iron sheets around posts and over beams of structures, such as pergolas. This will stop the possum from being able to grip the surface with its claws.
- This also requires ensuring that there are no trees or shrubs next to the structure that allow the possum to ease itself down from.
- You can also use a plastic garbage can with the bottom cut off and a slit up the side. Put it around the trunk of a tree so that the possum is unable to climb up the tree.^{[7]XResearch source}
- You can wrap sheet metal around the trunk of the tree to make it difficult to climb.^{[8]XResearch source}
- You can also place thick netting around the trunk. The netting will catch the possum's feet and discourage them from climbing.
2
Trim trees that are being eaten. If a possum is eating the new growth off a tree, you need to figure out how to block its access to the tree. Branches should be far enough away from fences and structures so that a possum can't jump to them.^{[9]XResearch source} This, in combination with blocking access to climbing the trunk of the tree, will give you the best chance of saving your tree from being decimated.
- The good news is that while possums can jump, they can't jump very far. An agile, young possum can jump approximately 2.5 meters from a fixed, stable base but less than 2 meters from a swaying tree branch.
- This means that trimming your trees so they are more than 2 meters from your garden fence or other structure should be sufficient.
3
Put netting on fruit bushes and trees. In particular, you should place netting over these plants while they are sending out new growth shoots or are bearing fruit. The netting will not keep possums out completely but they should make it difficult enough for the possums that much of the fruit will be saved.
- Also remove any fallen fruit below fruit trees or bushes. Fallen fruit will attract possums to the area, so keep it to a minimum if you can.
4
Place a greased PVC pipe on top of your fence. This method only works if your garden is closed in with fencing, as it stops possums from climbing over the fence. It will take about one day of your time to install this protection.
- Attach a large PVC pipe running horizontally across the top of all of the fencing. This will be hard for the possum to grip onto.
- Then apply non-toxic grease to the PVC pipe. When a possum now tries to get into your garden, you should find that it cannot get a secure grip or footing because of a the grease on the drum. This causes the animal to fall off without injury.
- Make sure that there are no holes or other points for the possum to cross the fence.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Applying Possum Sprays and Deterrents

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Nurseries, supermarkets, and some hardware stores stock a range of possum-deterrent sprays that you can use. Remember to follow the instructions on the packaging so that your plants are not affected and so that possums the are not injured.
2
Make and apply a quassia chip spray. Quassia is a small branching tree that contains substances that deter the possum from wanting to be around it.^{[10]XResearch source} Make a spray of 100g quassia chips to 2 liters (0.5 US gal) of water. Heat for one hour, then strain. Add one tablespoon detergent. Dilute 1 part quassia solution to 4 parts water and spray on foliage.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Most homemade sprays and applications need to be reapplied following rain. They should be reapplied frequently anyway, for full effectiveness.
3
Use household items to deter possums. These will require constant reapplication to be effective in the long-term. Some things that you can try include:^{[12]XResearch source}
- Brew up some lapsang souchong tea. Spray this over the affected plants. Possums don't like it!
- Spread blood and bone around the vulnerable plants.
- Use mothball flakes on beams, and around the base of plants. Place in pantyhose and hang from foliage.
- Apply Indonesian fish sauce. Combine one tablespoon of sauce in one litre of water and then sprayed on foliage.
- Make a garlic spray. Place 2 tablespoons of freshly crushed garlic into one litre of hot water. Leave overnight, strain, then spray on foliage.
- Spray laundry detergent full strength onto foliage.
- Tabasco sauce. Use this full strength. It can painted or sprayed onto foliage. Note that this can badly damage some plants, so do your research before applying this sauce.
- Strong-smelling herbs such as sage, rosemary, or oregano may deter possums, especially when mixed with spicy chili pepper. Blend to a paste and spread around affected plants.
4
Surround your garden with predator urine. Urine from male foxes, weasels, and likely other predators has repelled possums in experiments.^{[13]XResearch source} That said, it may not be completely reliable, and it could attract other animals.^{[14]XResearch source} Look for predator urine at a hardware store or plant nursery, and follow the label instructions to distribute it in a perimeter around your garden.^{[15]XResearch sourceKirmani SN, Banks PB, McArthur C. 2010 Integrating the costs of plant toxins and predation risk in foraging decisions of a mammalian herbivore. Oecologia 164 349–356}
- Carpet Python faeces are an effective possum deterrent, if available. Pythons are possum predators.
- Some homeowners ring their garden with human hair to deter pests, but this is unproven.^{[16]XResearch source} Consider trying it the next time you have a haircut, scattering the trimmed hairs thinly over the surface.
5
Put up noisy deterrents. Wind chimes, noisy bells, or plastic bottles cut in half can catch the wind and make enough noise to keep some pests away. This isn't foolproof, but hopefully your fruit trees will be ready to harvest before the possums learn to ignore the noise.
- You can also buy commercial ultrasonic pest deterrents, outside the range of human hearing.
- Dogs, especially outdoor dogs, will chase away possums, and their barking will scare them off.
6
Put up scarecrows. You can try a traditional scarecrow, or put up fake birds such as a tennis ball with feathers glued onto it. Again, the effectiveness of this deterrent varies from animal to animal, and may lessen over time.
- Hanging mirrors near the scarecrow may amplify the effect.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Living With Possums

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You may be able to steer a possum's attention away from one plant to another. Put plants that possums like to eat, such as eucalyptus, at the edge of your garden. This may keep them occupied enough to keep them away from tender shoots and new growth in your garden.
2
Trap possums humanely. In New Zealand, possums are considered an invasive species. You should trap them and call animal control for removal.^{[17]XResearch source} That said, possums are protected in Australia. The South Australian government only recommends (humane) trapping when a possum is living in your building. Even then, it may cause the possum less stress to lure it out, then block its access
- For example, you could build a nesting box, place some fruit in it, and then place it near where the possum is dwelling. This should lure the possum into the nesting box.
- If you do use a live trap, a small amount of honey works well as bait. Use the trap to transfer it out of the building, but not outside of the area. Possums almost always die when relocated.
3
Understand that possums are protected in Australia but not in New Zealand. Possums may limit the kinds of plants you can grow in your garden but possums need human help to survive. If you live in Australia, you can help offset the destruction of their natural environment by creating a good location for them to live, including nesting boxes and attractive vegetation.
- Possums are considered invasive in New Zealand. Call animal control or the Department of Conservation for assistance in removing them.

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If a possum is relocated about 2 kms away, would it find its way back?
Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
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Yes, it could easily find its way back, especially if there is a good source of food around!
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Can a possum dig holes in my garden?
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It's possible, but not likely.
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Can bright light at night deter possums?
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Yes. Bright lights can deter possums.
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Unlike the Australian possum, the opossum can be a helper in your garden, eating all kinds of bugs and pests at night. Instead of eating all your plants, like the Australian possum, the opossum will clear slugs and snails out of your garden bed.^{[18]XResearch source}
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Warnings

Possums are a protected native species in Australia. They must not be harmed. They are, however, invasive in New Zealand.
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Possums are territorial. If you move them, they will either die because they're invading another possum's territory, or they'll find their way back. So, learn to live with them.
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