Possum Removal FAQ – How It Works

No. In Victoria, all native possums are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to trap, harm, kill, or relocate them without a permit. Removal must be conducted by a licensed and authorised wildlife controller, like The Possum Wrangler.

Victorian law requires that any trapped possum must be released within 50 metres of where it was caught, after sunset on the day of capture. Relocating a possum to a distant location is illegal and dangerous for the animal.

Our standard possum removal and proofing service is a fixed price of $495. This includes inspection, one-way door installation, follow-up visit, permanent sealing, and a 24-month workmanship warranty. If the job requires extra time or materials, we provide a free quote upfront — no surprises.

A possum may try to return to its former home. That's why our service is only complete with professional possum-proofing to seal every entry point permanently using colour-matched, durable materials. That's also why we back our work with a full 24-month warranty.

Your safety and the animal's welfare come first — never handle an adult possum.

• Sick or injured possum: Call a licensed wildlife rescuer or vet immediately.
• Lone joey: If it's in danger, gently place it in a warm, dark, quiet box (no food or water) and contact a carer.

Recommended rescuers:
• Wildlife Victoria: 03 8400 7300
• Help for Wildlife: 0477 555 611
• Australian Wildlife Health Centre: 03 5957 2829

The most common signs are thumping or scratching noises at night (possums are nocturnal), a strong ammonia-like smell from urine soaking through the ceiling, possum droppings in the roof cavity or around the eaves, and visible damage to roof tiles, fascia boards, or eave sheets. If you're unsure, we offer a free property inspection.

A specialised one-way door is fitted over the possum's main entry point. The possum can push through to exit at night to forage, but cannot re-enter. Once we confirm the possum has left — usually within 24–48 hours — we return to remove the hatch and securely repair the entry point. This method is completely humane: no trapping, no stress, no handling of the animal.

We service all suburbs within approximately a 30-minute drive of Belgrave in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges and eastern suburbs. This includes Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Bayswater, Ringwood East, Croydon South, Lilydale, Chirnside Park, Emerald, Cockatoo, Monbulk, Olinda, Sassafras, Upwey, Tecoma, and many more. Contact us if you're unsure whether we cover your area.

Yes. We offer same-day emergency service for urgent situations — such as a possum inside your living area, a possum that is injured or distressed, or a situation causing immediate damage to your property. Call us directly on 0409 562 550 for fastest response.

Our 24-month workmanship warranty covers the entry points we seal. If a possum re-enters through any point we have sealed within 24 months of the job, we will return and re-seal it at no additional cost. The warranty applies to our Possum Proofing service ($495). Full warranty terms are available on our Warranty page.

Yes — and more than most people realise. Possums can damage roof insulation, chew through electrical wiring (a serious fire risk), stain ceilings with urine, and weaken eave boards and fascia. The longer they remain, the more costly the damage. Early removal and proofing is always the most cost-effective approach.

Most standard home insurance policies do not cover possum removal itself, as it is considered a pest control service. However, damage caused by possums — such as chewed wiring, damaged insulation, or stained ceilings — may be claimable depending on your policy. We recommend checking with your insurer. We can provide a detailed invoice and job report to support any claim.

The initial inspection and one-way door installation typically takes 1–2 hours. The possum then self-exits over the following 24–48 hours. We return for a follow-up visit to remove the possum hatch and securely repair the entry point — this usually takes another 30–60 minutes. The total process from first visit to completion is generally 2–3 days.

The two most common species in Melbourne's eastern suburbs are the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) and the Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus). Brushtails are larger and more likely to take up residence in roof cavities. Ringtails tend to nest in dense shrubs and trees but can also enter roofs. Both species are protected under Victorian law.

There are several things you can do to make your property less attractive to possums: trim tree branches that overhang or touch your roof; install possum guards on downpipes; avoid leaving pet food outside at night; and consider placing a possum nesting box in a nearby tree to give them an alternative home. However, if a possum has already entered your roof, professional removal and proofing is the only reliable long-term solution.