You can help stop possums
Signs that possums are present
Tracks ('pads' or 'runs') are often most evident where possums emerge from forests to feed on pasture. They are also visible in forests when possum numbers are high.
Frequently used trees show extensive surface scratches. Bark biting, usually a series of horizontal scars, can be seen on a variety of native and introduced trees and shrubs. Often the same trunk, marked repeatedly, becomes heavily scarred.
Faecal pellets are usually about 15-30mm long, 5-14mm wide, crescent shaped slightly pointed at the ends and found singly or in groups; colour and texture vary with diet. Leaves browsed by possums have torn rather than cut edges, with the midrib and lower part of the leaf often partly remaining, unlike insect browse.
Possums are distinctive feeders, leaving the ground littered with broken branches, discarded leaves, or partly eaten fruits of native plants.
Dark brown urine trails may be seen, particularly if possums have been feeding on kamahi or five-finger, both of which stain the urine.
Control methods
Hunting/shooting, trapping and poisoning are the main methods of control for possums.
Training
If you are planning a pest control operation enrol for the Animal Pest Control Methods field based course.
The course provides an overview of animal pests, their impacts and control methods (including the principles these are based on, and the task specifications DOC has developed).
The course covers all the legal requirements for animal welfare and handling toxins. Working within the law is vital to allow pest control agencies and community groups continued access to the full suite of animal pest control methods.
In particular, it describes the control methods most commonly used in DOC, and their advantages and disadvantages.
Monitoring your control
All operations require monitoring below are examples of methods used.
Learn more about monitoring.
Residual trap catch index
A method for estimating possum abundance based on sampling populations by means of traps.
Wax tags
A method for estimating possum abundance based on sampling populations by means of interference with "wax tags" (scented ice-cube sized wax blocks).
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