Possums are protected in New South Wales under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Trapping, catching and releasing possums is illegal in New South Wales, unless you have a licence.

There are a couple of things you can try to discourage possums if they are eating the plants in your garden:

  • Cover the plants the possums seem to favour with wildlife-friendly netting. See Wildlife friendly fencing and netting.
  • Boil a litre of water with a handful of hot chillies, garlic and vinegar and leave to brew for a few days. Strain and spray the cooled liquid on the affected plants (this is safe for dogs and cats).
  • Use commercially available products that provide a protective spray to the plants and are a non-harmful deterrent to animals.
  • Use organic methods such as blood and bone fertilisers or quassia wood chips.

If you still have problems, contact:

A brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) surveys its territory from a tree stump at night.
The brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) often makes it home or feeds in people’s backyards.