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Thread: Possum Deterrent

  1. #1
    Member SA Goldstar's Avatar
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    Default Possum Deterrent

    Hi all
    I have a customer who has possums eating away the new growth on their glory vine - customer is very concerned that the possums will end up killing it off. I have suggested that they might be damaging it but wont kill a 40 yr old vine - nevertheless they want me to spray or spread something to keep the possums off the glory vine diet. Is there a commercially available product or home made mixture that any of you swear by?
    thanks, Fred.

  2. #2
    Senior Member BSD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Have to get a licenced possum catcher or similar, protected species. Be warned about native species and control methods.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Mow And Go's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    A hungry German shepherd will keep them at bay. Used to have one around the house here and since getting the dog, it's gone lol
    I dont break things ...I just use them beyond their operational limitations
    www.mowandgogardening.com.au

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    Member of forum ASTRO's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    A couple of control mehods.

    We fed the possums pieces of fruit they don't touch the garden.

    Spray the vine with a solution of chilli/dish washing liquid, white oil +water.

    They don't like seasol.

    Apply a product called poss-off.

  5. #5
    MEMBER Fred's mowing's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    I have had customers swear by dog hair sausages. (Google 4 more info).
    Sounds (& looks) weird.
    You tie the sausage into the tree/shrub/vine the smell deters the possums.
    Apparently they last about a year b4 needing renewal.
    Do they work ? I don't know.
    The neighbour at the back has erected a low voltage electric wire on top of our fence, we virtually have no probs with possums.
    The amount of possum deterrents Ive heard is huge.
    Poss off, plastic owls, garlic & herb type sprays,hanging low voltage led lights, etc,etc.
    Good luck.
    Cheers Fred.

  6. #6
    Senior Member seliment's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Have heard that chilli + vaseline where they run puts them off -- they get it on feet which they duly lick ------

    Would think that the haberno, scots bonnet or the south American tree chilli would be most suited for the job as each are capable of lighting up you from Breakfast to A...hole as they say.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Bluey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Sprinkle naphthalene flakes around the vine. They and cats hate the smell. Spray the vines with a garlic or chilli solution. If that fails revert to Rule .22
    Cheers

    Bluey
    Adelaide Home & Garden Solutions
    http://www.ahgs.com.au


    "Success occurs when no one is looking, failure occurs when everyone is watching."

  8. #8
    Senior Member Scooby Steve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Difficult to stop. They are a menace around my areas. Camelias especially seem to get hit a lot.

    I've tried the following,

    plastic owls- didn't work they actually play with them and move them around

    poss off- i'm trying this now, most customers tell me it doesn't work but we'll see, would make a good alternative to capsicum spray......it kicks hard, will report back with results re the possums

    alternative foods and nesting areas, seems to help but you have to keep at it

    .22 - works a treat so does a 12 gauge you might want to have your story worked out though for when the boys and girls in blue come a knocking

    dogs and cats, depends on your dog or cat some can be lazy but if they are the active type both work a treat when they are allowed to roam the yard at night

    wire or spikes on top of fences seems to help but if you have overhanging trees and shrubs alternative routes can be found into your yard

  9. #9
    Member SA Goldstar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Thanks for all your suggestions - am trying naphthalene as well as a product called SCAT - on the label it says...."as recommended by the Possum Lady"...whoever she is.

    Client has never noticed this before in 30+ years there, I've had a look and there's evidence of plenty of new growth on the vine as well as evidence of some been eaten over the last couple of weeks.

    Client is distraught that they may lose their vine ( for the shade) - I have reassured them that its pretty unlikely that the possums would eat enough growth to kill off an old vine...wdyt?

  10. #10
    Senior Member kevinsuzanne's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    mothballs in a old sock just drape it over the plant

  11. #11
    Senior Member seliment's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    This discussion re possum problem is all very interesting so a related question is--

    Does anyone have any experience / suggestions on how to deter a wombat that has decided to dig in a place where it is unwelcome (ie under front verandah slab and driveway)!

    Have tried sensor floodlighting with some success (& failures), making its 'residence' subject to localized flooding (it didn't approve of that ----) etc.

    The ultimate fix would be application of regulation W.22 but that would be very harsh and summary, not to mention any legal issues.

    Any suggestions? Cos fundamentally
    the Question is: "what does wombat do when it wants?
    Answer: Whatever it chooses!

    So (like the old beak might say) my peers,
    can you suggest a sentence that will provide deterrence?

    Joe

  12. #12
    Member Redeye's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    trap it & re-locate? (NP&WS usually have traps you can loan)




    http://curraronggardening.com/

    "All sin is washed away in the Holy goodness of Beer"
    Book of Redeye, Psalm 69

  13. #13
    Member SA Goldstar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Possum Deterrent

    Thanks again for your all of your suggestions. Possums seem to have moved on, thanks mainly I think to the combo of mothballs and the scat spray....or maybe they just found something better to eat.

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