Possum Removal — What to Expect

If a One-Way Door Has Been Installed

A one-way door allows the possum to leave the roof while preventing it from using the same opening to get back inside.

Before installing the door, the identified possum entry points are sealed, with the one-way door temporarily installed at the remaining exit point.

What Happens After Installation?

Most possums will leave the roof on the first night, but the process can take up to four consecutive nights.

During this period, you may hear more activity than usual. The possum may initially investigate the changes around its normal entry point or take some time to locate and use the one-way exit.

This does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

What Happens After the Possum Leaves?

Once outside, the possum may return to its previous entry point and attempt to get back into the roof.

This is particularly common during the early morning when the possum would normally return to its sleeping area.

You may therefore hear activity around the former entry point, including movement or attempts to regain access.

This behaviour can continue for a period after exclusion while the possum adjusts to no longer having access to the roof.

The Four-Night Check

Please pay particular attention to any roof activity during the four consecutive nights following installation.

If you are still hearing activity after the fourth night, contact The Possum Man before the one-way door is removed.

When contacting us, please tell us:

• approximately what time you are hearing the noise;
• where in the property or roof the noise appears to be coming from;
• what the noise sounds like;
• how long the activity lasts;
• whether it is continuous or intermittent; and
• whether the activity sounds the same as, or different from, what you heard before the work was completed.

These details help us determine what may be occurring and what the appropriate next step should be.

If you're uncertain, please contact us. We would rather assess the activity than assume the exclusion process has been completed successfully.

Removing the One-Way Door

If no further issue has been reported after the four-night exclusion period, we will proceed on the basis that the possum has successfully left the roof.

The technician will then arrange the follow-up required to:

• remove the temporary one-way door; and
• permanently close the remaining opening.

The timing of this return visit will depend on technician availability and scheduled work in your area.

The one-way door can remain temporarily in position while the return visit is being arranged.

If access to your property is required, we will contact you to arrange the visit.

If a Possum Trap Has Been Used

Trapping is used in circumstances where it is considered appropriate as part of the removal process.

Possums are wild animals, and trapping is not always immediate. A possum may enter the trap on the first night, take several nights to enter, or in some circumstances may not enter the trap at all.

The Possum Man will explain the required monitoring and follow-up arrangements when the trap is installed.

If a Possum Is Captured

A captured possum must be managed and released in accordance with the applicable NSW wildlife requirements.

The Possum Man will arrange the appropriate next step based on when the animal is captured and the circumstances at the property.

Where a return attendance is required to manage the trap or captured possum, we will arrange this with you.

Do not relocate or release a captured possum yourself unless you are specifically authorised and legally permitted to do so.

What If the Possum Does Not Enter the Trap?

If the possum has not entered the trap, further attendance may be required to inspect and reset the trapping arrangement.

This can include replacing the bait used within the trap and reassessing activity.

Because possum behaviour varies, successful capture cannot be guaranteed within a particular number of nights.

If trapping remains unsuccessful after repeated attempts, an alternative removal strategy may be required.

Depending on the property and circumstances, this may involve reassessing the access opening or establishing another controlled method of allowing the possum to leave the roof.

The appropriate solution will be determined from the conditions at the property rather than applying the same approach to every situation.

Additional Trap Attendances

Where additional visits are required to inspect, reset or manage a trapping arrangement, additional attendance fees may apply.

Any additional work or alternative removal strategy required will be discussed with you where appropriate.

Important

If you believe a possum may still be inside the roof after exclusion work, or you hear unusual or continuing activity after the fourth night, contact The Possum Man before taking any action yourself.

Do not:

• remove the one-way door;
• reopen a sealed entry point;
• interfere with a trap containing an animal; or
• attempt to relocate a captured possum without appropriate authorisation.

Contact us and we can work through what you are hearing and determine the appropriate next step.