Possums may remove all of the buds, thereby weakening the plant, creating bare patches, and making it easier for plant diseases to take hold. [4] X Research source Keep this in mind when planting new plants in your yard or when planting a garden. If you plant things a possum doesn’t like, such as prickly and smelly plants like a tea tree or geraniums for example, they are less likely to be destroyed.

You can also use old plastic plant pots with a slit down the side to protect individual fruits or vegetables. Place the fruit inside the pot, so that it is mostly covered but can still grow.

This may make tending your garden a little more difficult but it will assure that your plants survive.

Just make sure that the possums are not inside the shed or eaves when you cover them, as you could trap them inside. If you’re not sure how the possums are getting in, patrol the area at dusk and watch for possums leaving their den.

This also requires ensuring that there are no trees or shrubs next to the structure that allow the possum to ease itself down from. You can also use a plastic garbage can with the bottom cut off and a slit up the side. Put it around the trunk of a tree so that the possum is unable to climb up the tree. [7] X Research source You can wrap sheet metal around the trunk of the tree to make it difficult to climb. [8] X Research source You can also place thick netting around the trunk. The netting will catch the possum’s feet and discourage them from climbing.

The good news is that while possums can jump, they can’t jump very far. [11] X Research source An agile, young possum can jump approximately 2. 5 meters from a fixed, stable base but less than 2 meters from a swaying tree branch. This means that trimming your trees so they are more than 2 meters from your garden fence or other structure should be sufficient.

Also remove any fallen fruit below fruit trees or bushes. Fallen fruit will attract possums to the area, so keep it to a minimum if you can.

Attach a large PVC pipe running horizontally across the top of all of the fencing. This will be hard for the possum to grip onto. Then apply non-toxic grease to the PVC pipe. When a possum now tries to get into your garden, you should find that it cannot get a secure grip or footing because of a the grease on the drum. This causes the animal to fall off without injury. Make sure that there are no holes or other points for the possum to cross the fence.

Most homemade sprays and applications need to be reapplied following rain. They should be reapplied frequently anyway, for full effectiveness.

Brew up some lapsang souchong tea. Spray this over the affected plants. Possums don’t like it! Spread blood and bone around the vulnerable plants. Use mothball flakes on beams, and around the base of plants. Place in pantyhose and hang from foliage. Apply Indonesian fish sauce. Combine one tablespoon of sauce in one litre of water and then sprayed on foliage. Make a garlic spray. Place 2 tablespoons of freshly crushed garlic into one litre of hot water. Leave overnight, strain, then spray on foliage. Spray laundry detergent full strength onto foliage. Tabasco sauce. Use this full strength. It can painted or sprayed onto foliage. Note that this can badly damage some plants, so do your research before applying this sauce. Strong-smelling herbs such as sage, rosemary, or oregano may deter possums, especially when mixed with spicy chili pepper. Blend to a paste and spread around affected plants.

Carpet Python faeces are an effective possum deterrent, if available. Pythons are possum predators. Some homeowners ring their garden with human hair to deter pests, but this is unproven. [18] X Research source Consider trying it the next time you have a haircut, scattering the trimmed hairs thinly over the surface.

You can also buy commercial ultrasonic pest deterrents, outside the range of human hearing. Dogs, especially outdoor dogs, will chase away possums, and their barking will scare them off.

Hanging mirrors near the scarecrow may amplify the effect.

For example, you could build a nesting box, place some fruit in it, and then place it near where the possum is dwelling. This should lure the possum into the nesting box. If you do use a live trap, a small amount of honey works well as bait. Use the trap to transfer it out of the building, but not outside of the area. Possums almost always die when relocated. [21] X Research source

Possums are considered invasive in New Zealand. Call animal control or the Department of Conservation for assistance in removing them.