Removing a squatter (of sorts)

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by Bran, 28th Jun, 2015.

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  1. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    The squatter happens to be a furry animal that first scared the sheet out of my wife when she was home alone, then the both of us on Friday night when I armed myself with a nightstick to confront the intruder.

    Kept me awake in the roof cavity from 1am to about 5am this morning.

    I've never glimpsed it, but it MUST be a possum.

    How do I get rid of it??
     
    Bran, 28th Jun, 2015
    #1
  2. Pistonbroke

    Pistonbroke Well-Known Member

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    Try rat bait - that usually works. If it doesn't work, then it's not a rat.
     
    Pistonbroke, 28th Jun, 2015
    #2
  3. vtt

    vtt Well-Known Member

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    vtt, 28th Jun, 2015
    #3
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  4. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    I just climbed into the roof cavity.

    There is no way I am engaging in warfare with an animal that is thus far invisible, has night vision and is agile within confined spaces, compared to my 6'2" 100kg form trying to stay on the rafters, grasping an intermittent light in one hand, and a dim night torch slash weapon in the other, but heaviest of all carrying an irrational fear of small living things and heights.

    There is a suggestion of a few possible nests.

    There must be a fearless person who can humanely encourage it outside, then possum-proof the dwelling. Cause if it's up to me, I'll wear earplugs.
     
    Bran, 28th Jun, 2015
    #4
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  5. WattleIdo

    WattleIdo midas touch

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    I'd go the ear plugs, too. :) Everyone deserves a home especially in winter.
     
    WattleIdo, 28th Jun, 2015
    #5
  6. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Bran, 28th Jun, 2015
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  7. Tidda

    Tidda New Member

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    Pete the Possum Man is the man for you. He'll get the job done. 3250 1111 if I remember correctly and if you are in Brisbane :)
     
    Tidda, 28th Jun, 2015
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  8. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Arrrrrgh!! It's back!
     
    Bran, 28th Jun, 2015
    #8
  9. WattleIdo

    WattleIdo midas touch

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    Ear plugs. :)
     
    WattleIdo, 28th Jun, 2015
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  10. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    When I get out of bed I will send you the details of the chap who got them out of our roof. I miss them a bit.
     
    wylie, 29th Jun, 2015
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  11. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    We got a lovely chap called Nick (0418 303 625). He is an older chap and is a snake and possum man.

    He came to our house, closed up the obvious places they get in and out with wire, installed a one way door so they could get out but not get in again. Of course they were too clever and did get back in. He knew this may happen and left a trap which we put in our roof with an apple as bait. Once we trapped a possum, we took it to the back yard and did a quick (short) spray paint of his tail so we would know if the same possum was getting back in and to ensure they were all out.

    We had to do that twice. After a month of silence they pushed through the wire mesh and he came back, left a trap again and put stronger mesh in. They fit through the smallest little spaces :).

    Cost was small, (couple of hundred from memory), service was fantastic and Nick is a lovely bloke.

    I miss our possums, but we also have had rats and they are a wire chewing hazard, so in order to deal with the rats, we needed to ensure we don't bait a possum.

    Nick also makes (about $60) a lovely little alternative home in the shape of a possum box which we got him to bring with him and put in an appropriate spot so they are not homeless. He uses galvanised fasteners so this will stand up well to the weather.
     
    wylie, 29th Jun, 2015
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  12. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    Thanks wylie!!

    I'm a bit worried about an older chap getting up to the roofline and on the roof. He is happy to do this?

    I chickened out yesterday.
     
    Bran, 29th Jun, 2015
    #12
  13. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    He has all the gear, ropes himself up. This is what he does for a living.
     
    wylie, 29th Jun, 2015
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  14. PrG

    PrG Active Member

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    Attach a possum house on a nearby tree with some treats in it. You may be able to induce it to its new home. Then seal up all the gaps through which the possum is entering your roof cavity. Possums are very cute and don't hurt people. Don't poison it.
     
    PrG, 29th Jun, 2015
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  15. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    With that attitude hope it dies above your bed..They are a protected species. Your council will have info on legal ways.
     
    Paul@PAS, 29th Jun, 2015
    #15
  16. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    It's not my attitude Paul.
    I wouldn't bait it, I love possums and spying on them with my toddlers.
     
    Bran, 30th Jun, 2015
    #16
  17. Pistonbroke

    Pistonbroke Well-Known Member

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    Possums don't eat the waxy rat bait.
     
    Pistonbroke, 30th Jun, 2015
    #17
  18. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Don't work on this being the case :eek:.

    We had our pest guy put "possum proof" rat baits (holders) in our ceiling. The possums managed to get into them, and we had two die in our roof. That was very sad and I felt terribly guilty. That was a couple of years ago and we just thought "too hard". We don't mind the possums living in our roof, but we have had rats chew through a wire, and that worries me. We could have a fire.

    So, now we have provided an alternative home for the possums, we will wait another few months and if they truly are gone, we will deal with the rat.
     
    wylie, 30th Jun, 2015
    #18
  19. Big Red

    Big Red Well-Known Member

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    In NZ they use them to make fur and pies.
     
    Big Red, 1st Jul, 2015
    #19
  20. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I've never understood the NZ thing where they seem to hate possums, but I'm told the possums over there are not little and cute like ours. I still don't understand the hate they have for them and the desire of many over the ditch to kill them and make them into hats...
     
    wylie, 1st Jul, 2015
    #20
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