Possum Issue - How to 'remove' ?

Forums › Off topic › Possum Issue - How to 'remove' ?

networkn

Networkn
32350 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#293216 6-Jan-2022 15:48

We have had a possum in our area for a number of years, but now it's taken to eating the fruit from our fruit trees before they even mature. We would like it gone.

We are in suburban Auckland and unsure of our options. Does anyone have experience with getting one removed? Does anyone have an idea on the cost? I assume the council will not be interested?

Cheers

1 | 2 | 3

8315 posts

Uber Geek

#2844417 6-Jan-2022 15:54

You'll need a trap

Toss your address in here and see what groups that could help are near you

https://predatorfreenz.org/get-involved/find-a-group/

Technofreak

6530 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2844421 6-Jan-2022 16:02

Something like this https://trapinator.com/store/Trapinator-Possum-Trap-p122175907 or this https://www.traps.co.nz/timms-possum-kill-trap.

There will be more than one. Bury them under your trees, they make good fertiliser.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

pih

649 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2844484 6-Jan-2022 16:27

> I assume the council will not be interested?

Correct. A trap is the only option for the suburbs. If you're North Shore or Rodney I have one you are welcome to borrow.

networkn

Networkn
32350 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2844485 6-Jan-2022 16:29

pih:

> I assume the council will not be interested?

Correct. A trap is the only option for the suburbs. If you're North Shore or Rodney I have one you are welcome to borrow.

Thanks, I followed the link in the first reply and contacted one of the groups who have said they might be prepared to loan us one.

Hopefully, the trap dispatches the little bugger, I want want to have to take care of that part manually :-)

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2844563 6-Jan-2022 17:42

Sounds like one for @neb to give some advise.

Richard rich.ms

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2844622 6-Jan-2022 19:09

pih:

> I assume the council will not be interested?

Correct. A trap is the only option for the suburbs. If you're North Shore or Rodney I have one you are welcome to borrow.

That's not strictly true. My cat took one out once. Sadly, he's a bit older now and I'm not sure he's up to it, otherwise he would definitely have volunteered!

compound

88 posts

Master Geek

#2844643 6-Jan-2022 20:22

Just dont release it back into the wild somewhere. The Government rains poison down in our forests to eradicate this pest yet the Police set them free

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/126988788/im-being-held-hostage-woman-at-centre-of-marsupial-hostage-drama-speaks-out

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Bung

6478 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2844659 6-Jan-2022 21:06

Technofreak:
There will be more than one. Bury them under your trees, they make good fertiliser.

This. If you've had a possum for several years there will be more than 1. Buy a Timms or similar and think of it as doing your bit for the local area. My Timms' score is around 12 over 10 years with number 13 currently managing to steal the apple and get away.

Deanonzl

51 posts

Master Geek

#2844704 7-Jan-2022 07:51

Sprinkle some Cinnamon spice on the apple, smell draws them to it.

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#2844707 7-Jan-2022 08:11

Timms trap.

Edit: Or get a high power slingshot ('Shangai' type) and some galvanised M8 or M10 nuts (buy loose at M10 or similar).

Mike

zenourn

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2844724 7-Jan-2022 08:46

I've caught dozens with this trap using apple as the bait:

https://www.maintracgroup.com/products/large-cage-trap

I then despatch with an air pellet to the brain. Placing the trap in an air-tight container/bag is also another effective method to kill.

A few times I've caught non-target species thus why I go for a live-then-verify-before-kill approach. There is also a rather stupid cat from a neighbour that likes getting trapped.

Bung

6478 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2844733 7-Jan-2022 09:14

Well #13 has tripped the trap somehow and eaten almost all of the cinnamon flavoured apple again. I might try mounting the trap differently so he has to use his legs to hang on and hopefully stick his head in 1st.

Failing that flying nuts might be a go. Is there any reason they have to be galvanised metric? Have rusty Whitworth nuts been outlawed as likely to give the possum tetanus?

MikeAqua

7779 posts

Uber Geek

#2844744 7-Jan-2022 09:39

Bung: Well #13 has tripped the trap somehow and eaten almost all of the cinnamon flavoured apple again. I might try mounting the trap differently so he has to use his legs to hang on and hopefully stick his head in 1st.

Failing that flying nuts might be a go. Is there any reason they have to be galvanised metric? Have rusty Whitworth nuts been outlawed as likely to give the possum tetanus?

Any old nut will do. It's mainly about getting the right weight. Galv are heavier and often you can buy them individually to work out the best size and then by the bag cheaply. I suggested M8 and M10 merely as size guidance as that works in my Shangai, which is a grunty beast I bought from cabelas a few years back. You can buy steel shot, but it's usually over priced.

Obviously keep your slingshot locked up when not using. They are potentially dangerous.

BTW head shots needed.

Mike