How To Make Possum Repellent – Keep Possums Away

Have you found possums entering your property every now and then? Having your well-tended garden and vegetable produce eaten by these pests can be a sad sight. Possums entering properties in Australia is a common occurrence and homeowners should also be aware of the necessary precautions to be taken for repelling possums from their premises.

One such deterrent can be by way of making and using possum repellents. Read this blog to know more on techniques and procedures to make possum repellents on your own. At the end of it, you will be able to make them yourselves using simple ingredients and drive possums off from your property easily:

Do I have possums in my premises?

Possums are annoying and nocturnal creatures that will begin roaming outside your premises at night in search of food and water. These are some signs that suggest the presence of possums in your premises:

• Overturned garbage cans with scratch marks on it is an indication of possums on your premises.
• Pet food that gets frequently stolen or has disappeared from your premises also suggests the presence of possums on your premises.
• Unpleasant smells in your premises indicates possums on premises.

What makes possums an issue for homeowners?

• Possums are dangerous because they can pass on diseases to pets and humans. Tuberculosis, leptospirosis, Tularaemia, Chagas Disease, Spotted Fever are some common diseases.
• Possums attract other pests and wildlife including coyotes, wolves, owls, hawks, bobcats etc. to your property.
• Possums eat fruits, vegetables, crops and even pet food. They also raid poultry, bird feeders and trash cans for food.
• These pests can damage insulation and ductwork necessitating expensive repair work.

If you find possums or signs that they reside in your premises, you should get down to making repellents on your own for driving them off of your house.

How to make possum repellents?

Possums detest a number of smells and so it becomes easier to create repellents using specific products like garlic, quassia chips, molasses, etc.

DIY Possum Repellents

1. Quassia Chips

Quassia bark is an effective ingredient to use against possums. They dislike the way it tastes and hence can be used to drive possums away. Mix 50-80 quassia chips in 1 litre boiling water. Strain it out after some time as the potency of the quassia needs to come out. Transfer it to a spray bottle and then begin spraying it on all surfaces used by possums including attics, basement, garden, lawn, porch, patio and areas below the deck.

2. Molasses

This repellent can be used and made very easily. Possums can be kept at bay with the help of molasses. Molasses can be sourced from home improvement stores near you. All you have to do is to mix some part molasses and dish wash liquid to water. Stir the solution carefully and thoroughly and put it into a spray bottle.

Spray this solution on plants, leaves, food items, access points, and spots normally approached by possums for food and water. Alternatively, using any syrup existing in your pantry, adding it to water to create a solution can also be efficient in deterring those pesky pests.

3. Garlic

Garlic has a pungent taste which is deterrent and annoying for possums and hence can be used effectively for creating a repellent to get rid of these creatures. Chop 2 tablespoons of garlic and add it to a litre of hot water. Keep this water as is for the entire night to increase the pungency. Strain the water and then get a spray bottle to spritz it in open areas, lawns, backyards, gardens, patios and even in the indoors.

Use this solution for a week to get rid of possums from your premises.  Spraying them on fruit trees and vegetable beds can also keep them from eating the produce. Additionally, placing crushed garlic in small dishes in the garden and outdoors also can fulfil the same purpose of driving possums off your premises.

4. Peppermint

Peppermint oil is a potent essential oil whose smell is highly unattractive for possums and thus also can be used as a homemade repellent for these pests. Spray out all the possible areas in the indoors as well as outdoors with this solution. You should take care not to spray on areas that you use commonly if you do not like its scent.

5. Camphor

Camphor has a lot of health benefits for humans. Besides, the presence of menthol in it is sufficient to repel possums. You need to make a paste by mixing petroleum jelly and camphor oil. Apply it on shingles of roofs, tree trunks, entrances, access points and other areas that possums use to come inside.

Avoid areas such as plants and gardens. The smell of camphor is overpowering for these pests and your property becomes inhospitable for them. Alternatively, mothballs can also be used for making the place unwelcome to these pests. Due care should be taken so that the kids or pets do not lick it or come in contact with it.

6. Spices

The strong smell of spices acts as a deterrent for possums. You can simply mix cayenne pepper in boiling hot water. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and then spritz in the garden, patio, shed, crawlspaces, decks and other areas that you often see possums in. Mixing chilli, water, dish wash liquid in some fresh garlic also can work to deter possums and keep them from your premises.

Mentioned above were some key repellents that can be easily made at home for keeping off possums. These repellents are eco-friendly and potent. The mere smell or taste of these ingredients is enough to drive these pests away.

It is best to implement such remedies to keep possums away from your premises due to the extensive damage and destruction that they cause in your property. If the problem still continues to exist, you should not forget to consult a professional exterminator who can inspect your property and retrieve possums from all possible inaccessible places they use for hiding.