All right, possums aren’t the cutest of creatures, but they’re usually harmless in their natural habitat. These critters are marsupials like our iconic kangaroos and koalas, though they more closely resemble rodents.
Possums typically burrow into tree hollows and make their nests there. Unfortunately, those tree habitats are slowly disappearing, driving them to seek food and shelter elsewhere — like your roof, or worse, your veggie patch.
If you think you have a fluffy visitor or three, don’t panic! There are several safe and easy ways to keep possums out of a garden.
About Possum Deterrents | How Repellents Work | How to Get Rid of Possums | Tips for Deterring Possums
Should You Keep Possums Out of Your Garden?
While possums are known to eat certain pests and aren’t susceptible to rabies, we don’t recommend allowing them around your house!
It’s not unusual for possums to go through rubbish bins, get into walls, or eat plants in your garden. These animals will scavenge fruits, vegetables, flowers, and even pet food if accessible.
Possums are also a risk of disease, and can poop or urinate anywhere. When under threat, they may mimic the odour of sick or dead possums, which can be highly unpleasant and hard to remove.
If you notice many signs of activity, such as scattered garbage or half-eaten fruits, you likely have a possum infestation.
In that case, you’ll need to use safe and eco-friendly ways to discourage possums from entering your garden.
What to Know About Possums and Deterrents
Before you try and tackle your unwanted visitors, keep in mind that possums are a protected species in Australia.
The Brushtail Possum is the most common, but you may also encounter a Ringtail Possum. There are laws protecting these native species, including the Wildlife Act 1975.
Residents may not harass or harm possums on their property. If you do not have a permit to trap and release these animals, you must go through a licensed controller.
Any deterrents used must be lawful under your local state or council regulations!
NOTE: You can scatter dog or cat fur around the yard so the possums are deterred by their predator scent. However, keep your pets away from the creatures so they don’t cause inadvertent harm.
How Do Possum Repellents Work?
Possum deterrents or repellents are solutions meant to affect the senses of these native animals, such as smell or taste. They’re ecologically friendly ways to treat a possum problem.
Some deterrents repel possums through unpleasant scents, while others trigger a natural fear response. There are also electronic/automated deterrents, which scare them off with light or sprinklers.
How to Get Rid of Possums Naturally
If you’re looking to keep little paws off your plants, here are some effective DIY possum deterrents!
For sprayed-on treatments, test them on a small spot first to ensure they won’t damage your plants. You’ll also need to reapply them every 2 weeks or after it rains.
Note that if possums are very hungry, they will ignore most deterrents to try and get to a food source. It’s best to pair these solutions with other protective strategies like mesh or netting.
If you’re having too much trouble, contact a local wildlife professional.
1. Add motion-activated sensors
Possums are nocturnal creatures, so they don’t like bright lights or other startling triggers!
Install motion-activated sensors in areas of high activity, which can set off lights, sprinklers, or sounds. When a possum trips the sensor, the deterrent system will startle them away.
A sprinkler system is more effective than lights. Possums can be pretty persistent even with bright lights, but they don’t tolerate getting wet.
2. Mix up a molasses deterrent
Molasses gives your baked goods an extra sweetness, but it’s also natural pest control for possums! They dislike the strong taste, and the stickiness of molasses can turn them off from walking around.
You can smear molasses directly onto fences and other borders where possums might pass.
Alternatively, mix 1 cup of molasses with 1 litre of hot water and stir well. When the molasses have dissolved completely, transfer the cooled-down solution to a spray bottle and apply to your plants.
3. Apply a Lapsang Souchong tea spray
This all-natural solution can be an effective possum repellent. Boil 4 heaping tablespoons of Lapsang Souchong tea in 2 litres of water for several minutes, then strain.
You can also use any other tea with a strong aroma and taste, like Earl Grey.
Spray the solution around your garden to keep possums away. Keep an eye on the condition of your plants and lawn, though, as too much tea can change the ground pH.
4. Make a garlic possum repellent spray
Garlic has a very pungent aroma that can overwhelm possums (and other pests, too). It’s a staple in most pantries and easy to use.
Make your own garlic spray by mixing 2 tablespoons of freshly-crushed garlic with 1 litre of hot water. Leave it to “steep” overnight, then strain out the garlic and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
Apply the spray to leaves and other areas of your garden where the critters appear.
You can also grow garlic outdoors — the scent will help deter pests, including possums.
5. Use a fish sauce spray
It’s been reported that possums hate the smell of fish sauce, which is very pungent. Mix 1 tablespoon of fish sauce per litre of water and spray it around your yard.
You can also use fish oil, which has a strong taste. Mix half a cup of fish oil with 1 litre of water and apply it onto garden surfaces like fences or borders.
6. Make a Quassia chips spray
Quassia chips come from the bark of a South American tree, and many nurseries carry these chips as they’re commonly used in possum repellents.
Add 100g of Quassia chips to 2 litres of water, then simmer the mixture for an hour. Strain the chips out and add 1 tbsp of horticultural soap or Castile soap to the liquid.
Store the mixture in a safe container. When needed, dilute 1 part Quassia chips concentrate in 4 parts water, then apply around the garden.
7. Use hot peppers or Tabasco sauce
Hot pepper products are a popular natural possum deterrent. Make a simple spray by mixing warm water with a hefty scoop of cayenne pepper, then shake well.
Apply to areas around plants, like the borders of a garden bed. You can also “paint” on plain Tabasco sauce for the same effect.
Wear a face mask and rubber gloves while you work, though — you don’t want to get any spray on yourself!
NOTE: Other solutions with similar “spicy” effects that keep possums away include Vicks Vaporub (yes, really), camphor balls, and moth balls.
8. Make an animal fertiliser stink bomb
Specifically, use blood and bone animal fertiliser. These “stink bombs” will block routes where possums pass and repel them.
Fill an old sock with blood and bone fertiliser, then place it along paths these creatures may take. You can also place stink bombs in the corners of vegetable patches to deter possums from eating your plants.
9. Use an approved repellent product
There are several permitted repellent products that work on possums!
Check your local garden centre or home improvement store and follow the product instructions.
Tips for Deterring Possums In Your Garden
Besides using homemade possum repellents, here are strategies you can use to stop them from eating plants or discourage them from coming into your garden at all.
1. Secure rubbish bins
Keep your outdoor bins tightly closed — and locked, if possible.
This helps prevent possums from finding potential food sources that encourage them to hang out in your yard.
2. Prune tree branches
Block a possum’s access to your yard by pruning the branches of your fruit trees! These critters can jump down quite far, but not across.
Keep at least a 1.5m gap between the tree branches and any structure, such as a fence or your house.
They also struggle with steep vertical surfaces, so you can install “trunk collars” on trees to prevent possums from climbing upwards. Trim off any low branches as well.
3. Remove possum smells
Use scent-neutralising solutions such as white vinegar, plain vodka, or rubbing alcohol to erase possum smells around your garden.
These animals are alerted by their own scent, so removing it can confuse them. Just be careful about these solutions getting into the soil, where they can raise soil pH or damage nearby grass/plants.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, which could be considered unlawful and may harm your garden soil and plants.
4. Shelter edible plants
Cover your fruits, vegetables, and herbs with a horticultural mesh or netting. When used alongside deterrent sprays, it can stop possums from eating your plants.
You can also prevent access by surrounding garden beds or patches with chicken wire. Make the barrier “floppy” so a possum can’t easily climb, and bury the bottom 20–30cm deep so they can’t burrow.
Alternatively, grow native plants that possums love to eat: banksia, bottlebrush, eucalyptus, Lilly Pilly, or grevillea. With these yummy food sources, they’ll (hopefully) leave your other plants alone.
5. Protect your yard
Inspect your home and garden for possible entry points — breaks in fences, overhanging branches, or even burrowed holes in the ground. Block them off however you can.
Another option is to provide an alternative shelter for possums with a nesting box! Position it a few metres off the ground in a safe corner of your garden, away from direct sunlight.
Add some food that possums love, like eucalyptus leaves and fruits, to attract them to the box. Ideally, they’ll stick to their new home and leave yours alone.
Stay on top of your yard maintenance, including regular mowing and pruning. Pick up fallen fruits regularly, since they can attract other pests!
Of course, you could always bring in a reliable local gardener to keep things neat and tidy. Plus, you can consult with them about how to deter possums in a way that’s safe for the animals and your plants.
