Young possums always ride in their mother's pouch or on her back. Repairs need to be sound as possums' are quite strong and will work hard to re-enter their shelter site. Permanent repairs can be made during daylight hours in the next couple of days when you are sure that no animal has returned or is trapped inside (you will need to listen for several days, if the possum has been trapped inside, its noisy attempts to escape will alert you). Make the necessary temporary repairs (prepare something during the day) to prevent re-entry after the possum has gone out to feed at night (they usually leave their shelter about an hour after sunset).Possums can squeeze through a nine-centimetre gap! Look for holes under eaves loose tiles or roofing iron or access from underneath a house up through wall cavities to the roof. You will need to watch and listen for the animal's movements. Find out where the possum is getting in and out.Some solutions for dealing with these issues are listed below: Possum proofingThe brush-tailed possum can be the focus of complaints from urban residents for a variety of reasons. You can find out for sure by looking inside the ceiling with a flashlight during the day or observing your house just on dark when the possum emerges. Possums make loud heavy, thumping sounds when walking, and distinctive guttural growls, screeches, hisses and coughs when disturbed. Rats also collect seeds and grasses, but possums do not. They have distinctive droppings, do not defecate where they are nesting and, unlike possums, may chew electrical wiring. Rats and mice make scratching, chewing and skittering noises. The following signs might help to identify the culprit: Sometimes both possums and rats or mice are involved and separate action is required. Possums in your homeIs that noise in the ceiling a brush-tailed possum? Sometimes, the intruder turns out to be an introduced rat or mouse. Remember, brush-tailed possums are protected by law and cannot be bought, sold, taken or harmed except by a permit (please phone the Wildlife Management Branch on (03) 6165 4305). The following notes provide practical information to satisfy the house and landowner having problems with brushtail problems, without harming the animal. They can damage crops and gardens because they are partial to exotic plants, pasture grasses and vegetables as well as native plants. A favoured spot is between the ceiling and the roof and this can be a problem to some people. They will also cohabit with humans in cities and towns where they seek shelter, warmth and protection in the dark recesses of buildings.

Their natural and preferred habitat is forest, where they nest in tree hollows. The lively brush-tailed possum is one of Australia's most familiar marsupials, largely because they are highly adaptable to a wide range of natural and human environments.

Possum skat