What Should You Do If a Possum Gets Into Your Roof in the Illawarra?

Highlights at a Glance

• Hearing scratching, thumping or movement above the ceiling at night could mean you have a possum in your roof.

• Possums are active at night, so you may hear them moving around after dark without ever seeing them.

• Do not try to catch, trap or remove a possum yourself. Possums are protected native animals in NSW.

• Check your roof for gaps, loose tiles, damaged vents and other possible entry points once the possum has safely left.

• Never block the entry point while the possum is still inside. You could trap it in the roof.

• A possum living in your roof can damage insulation, disturb your sleep and leave droppings and nesting material behind.

• Homes around Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra and the wider Illawarra can all experience possum problems.

• The safest approach is to have the possum removed humanely and then secure the entry point, so another one does not move in.

You are lying in bed and suddenly hear scratching above your head. It stops. Then, a few minutes later, you hear it again. Here, your first thought will be, "Is that a rat?" That is understandable. Rats and mice can make similar noises in roof spaces. But if the movement sounds heavier, you hear something walking across the ceiling, or the noise seems to come and go at night, you could have a possum living in your roof. And this time, you need professional possum removal service, not a DIY trap.

This is not unusual around the Illawarra. Possums are common native animals, and your roof can look like a very good place to shelter. It is dry, protected from the weather and usually quiet during the day. If a possum finds a small opening, it may decide your roof is a much better place to sleep than a tree. 

The problem is that your roof cannot be a possum home. If you are in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra, or somewhere else around the Illawarra, here is what you should do if you think a possum has moved in.

Is There a Possum in Your Roof? Here’s What to Do

First, Make Sure It is Actually a Possum

Before you start thinking about removal, try to work out what is making the noise. You might hear scratching, rustling or movement above the ceiling. Possums tend to make heavier sounds than mice, especially when they move across the roof or inside the roof cavity.

You may also hear the noise at roughly the same time each evening. That is because possums are nocturnal. They usually leave their shelter after dark to look for food. If you can see the animal from a safe distance, you may be able to identify it as a possum. Do not climb into the roof or try to get close just to confirm what you are looking at.

If you cannot tell what is in the roof, that is fine. You do not need to identify it yourself. As a professional pest control company, we will do that for you. Our professional inspection can help determine the animal you are dealing with.

Do Not Try to Catch the Possum Yourself

Here, trying to fix the problem yourself can make things worse. Possums are protected native animals in New South Wales. You cannot simply catch one, put it in your car and release it somewhere that seems suitable. There are rules for catching and releasing possums, and the process needs to be handled correctly. NSW guidance also recommends that possums are not moved long distances away from their original territory.

There is another reason to leave the job to someone experienced like our team. A frightened possum may scratch or bite if you corner it. So if you hear one in the roof, resist the urge to grab a torch, climb into the roof space and chase it out. Give it some room. You can deal with the problem without putting yourself or the animal at unnecessary risk.

Work out How the Possum is Getting Inside

Once you know there is a possum in the roof, you need to find out how it got there. This is often easier to work out around dusk. A possum may leave the roof around this time to look for food. If you can safely watch from the ground, you may see it leave through a particular gap.

Look at the roofline, eaves, vents, loose tiles and areas where tree branches come close to the roof. Possums are excellent climbers. A tree growing beside your house can give one an easy route onto the roof. From there, even a relatively small gap can provide access to the roof cavity. Do not seal the hole just because you have found it.

Wait until you know the possum has left. If you block the entrance while the possum is still inside, you could trap it in the roof. That creates a much bigger problem and can put the animal at risk.

Give the Possum Somewhere Else to Go

Getting a possum out of the roof is only part of the solution. You also need to think about where it will go afterwards. Possums need somewhere safe to shelter during the day. If your roof is the only comfortable option nearby, simply forcing the animal out may not solve the problem. It may try to get back in or find another part of your house.

A possum nesting box can provide a suitable alternative. NSW Government guidance recommends providing a nesting box in an appropriate tree on the property where possible. The location matters. The box needs to be high enough and positioned in a safe place to shelter.

Possums are also territorial. Moving one far away may seem like an easy solution, but it can put the animal in unfamiliar territory where it has to compete with other possums for food and shelter. This is why humane removal is about more than simply getting the animal out of your roof.

Look for Signs That the Possum Has Been There for a While

If you have been hearing the possum for several nights, do not assume it has only just moved in. There could already be nesting material, droppings or disturbed insulation in the roof cavity. You might also notice an unpleasant smell coming from the ceiling. If the possum has been using the same area repeatedly, there may be a noticeable build-up of waste.

Take these signs seriously. You do not need to climb into a cramped roof space yourself to investigate. Roof cavities can contain exposed electrical wiring, nails, insulation and other hazards. As a pest control company, we know that the visible problem is not always the whole problem. If an animal has been using your roof for some time, you need to look at both the animal and the condition of the space it has been living in. Remember, the consequences of possums living in your place are not limited to the noise you hear at night. So, you have to act quickly. 

Check Your Roof for Gaps and Damage

Once you are certain the possum has left, inspect the roof for possible entry points.

Look for:

• Loose or broken roof tiles

• Gaps around roof edges

• Damaged vents

• Openings around pipes

• Gaps around chimneys

• Broken sections of roofing

• Tree branches touching the roof

• Gaps around gutters and roof structures

You may find that the entry point is surprisingly small. Possums can take advantage of gaps that you would not immediately consider large enough for an animal to use. If you are not comfortable getting onto the roof, do not take the risk. A roof inspection is not worth a fall. You may need professional residential pest control experts to reach some areas safely. Do not seal every opening straight away if you are not certain the possum has left. If the animal is still inside, you could trap it.

Trim Branches That Give Possums Easy Roof Access

Now look at the trees around your home.

• Is there a branch sitting directly above the roof?

• Does a tree touch the gutter?

• Is there an easy route from one tree onto the roof?

If the answer is yes, you may have found part of the problem. You do not need to remove every tree near your house. Trees are important for local wildlife, and possums need them too. You only have to reduce the easiest route onto your roof. This can make a big difference in leafy parts of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama, where established gardens and trees are common.

If you trim branches back, make sure the work is safe and appropriate for the tree. For larger trees or difficult branches, use a qualified professional rather than taking unnecessary risks yourself.

Secure the Entry Point After the Possum Has Left

This is the part that helps stop the problem from happening again. Once you are certain the possum is out, the entry point needs to be secured. The repair will depend on the type of opening you have. A loose tile may need to be fixed. A gap around a vent may need suitable mesh. Other openings may need roofing repairs.

Do not simply stuff a piece of material into the hole and hope for the best. If the repair is not secure, another animal may find its way inside. Our possum removal service in Illawarra can help you address the immediate problem and spot the areas that may allow another possum to enter. We do our best to reduce the chance of the same problem happening again.

Check The Roof After The Possum Has Gone

Once the roof is quiet again, it is tempting to forget about it. Do not. If the possum has been there for several weeks, check for signs of damage or contamination. You may find disturbed insulation, droppings, nesting material or damaged areas around the roof cavity. It is also worth checking whether the same opening has allowed other pests to enter.

A gap large enough for a possum may also be useful to rats, mice or birds. If you already have a residential pest infestation, dealing with the roof access can help prevent another problem from starting. You can also read our other blogs for more practical advice about common pest problems around homes in the Illawarra.

Final Thoughts

A possum in the roof can be annoying, especially when it wakes you up every night. But there is no need to panic or try to chase the animal out yourself. If you live in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Nowra or the wider Illawarra and you think a possum has moved into your roof, do not wait for the scratching to become part of your nightly routine.

Contact us and tell us what is happening. We will do our best to help you work out what to do next. Did you find this blog helpful or learn something new? Let us know what you thought. You can also tell us what pest or wildlife topic you would like us to cover next.