Possums

A year-round problem, with pressure rising in late summer and autumn as feijoas and other fruit ripen.

Brushtail possums browse new growth, strip fruit and ringbark trees overnight and are one of the most damaging garden pests in New Zealand. They are an introduced pest with no protection here, so trapping and control are encouraged alongside good exclusion.

How to identify

• Soft new shoots, buds, flowers and fruit cleanly nipped off overnight
• Feijoas, citrus and roses stripped or part-eaten
• Larger droppings on the ground, fences and roof, and scratch marks on bark
• Scratching and thumping heard on the roof at night, since possums climb

How to prevent

• Cover beds and young trees with sturdy netting or build a possum-proof cage
• Fit smooth metal collars or plastic wrap bands around tree trunks so possums cannot climb
• Trim branches that overhang the garden and give possums easy access
• Secure compost bins and remove fallen fruit and pet food that draws them in

How to control organically

• Set a humane kill trap such as a Timms or DOC-approved trap, or a cage trap, in runways and near damaged trees
• Exclude prized crops with netting and trunk collars as a long-term barrier
• Spray a homemade deterrent of garlic or chilli on foliage, reapplying after rain
• Try motion-activated lights or sprinklers to startle them off beds
• Join a local Predator Free or trapping group for advice and shared traps