Services » Regional Services » Plant and animal pests » Pest animals » Possums
Sustained control, Site led
Keep possums from affecting native plants and animals and from damaging high value biodiversity sites.
| Production threat | Environmental threat | Public threat |
Possums were introduced to New Zealand between 1837 and 1898 to establish a fur trade. Initially a protected animal, this status was lifted in 1947 when it became apparent that the environmental damage caused by possums outweighed any profit from the sale of its skins. Today, possums are considered to be the major ecological and agricultural vertebrate animal pest in New Zealand.
Possums are a serious environmental threat because they:
Possums eat the fruits of at least 65 species of native plants and they can destroy farm crops in a few days. They also scavenge the carcasses of deer and pigs and spread bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle and deer, which poses a serious threat to the ability of New Zealand’s dairy and meat industries to meet internal and international trade standards.
Possums live in a wide variety of habitats, as they only need cover for nesting and a suitable and varied food supply. They can be found in all types of indigenous forest from sea level to tree line, in scrublands, grasslands, exotic forests, shelter belts, orchards and cropping areas, thermal regions, swaps, sand dunes and in urban and city areas. Forest pasture margins however are their preferred habitat, particularly in mixed hardwood forests. In North Island mountain ranges they regularly forage above the snowline in beech forest.
Their nests are dens in trees, hollow logs, under tangled masses of vegetation, limestone crevices, in hay sheds and even in the roofs of buildings. Higher concentrations are in ‘unmanaged’ areas where there is plentiful food.
Possums are generally similar in size to a cat but their size, weight and colouring can vary greatly throughout New Zealand. They are a marsupial, which means they carry their young in a pouch. They reach maturity between one and two years old and have an average lifespan of four years.
All landowners/occupiers within a Priority Possum Control Area (PPCA) in the Waikato are required to allow council staff and its contractors to monitor and control possums on their property. These areas of land have been identified by our council as needing possum control in order to:
All PPCA control work is funded by Waikato Regional Council via rates. Waikato Regional Council also provides advice, information and pest contractor contact information to those landowners/occupiers in the Waikato who wish to control possums on their land but whose properties do not lie within a PPCA.
Extensive possum control is also carried out by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to reduce the effects of possums on protected public conservation land. TBfree New Zealand controls possums in order to eradicate bovine TB. In many cases, our council and these agencies work together to manage possums.
To check for possums, look out for the distinctive signs of possum browse. Possums usually feed on foliage by holding branches in their paws, using their teeth to tear the leaves. They usually leave behind the leaf stalk, base and midrib and some tattered leaf remnants. Look out for discarded and partially eaten leaves, flowers and fruit beneath feed trees. Heavy and persistent possum browsing will kill a tree.
Other signs of possums to look out for include:
Reduce suitable possum habitat by removing piles of logs, dead trees and stumps. Where possible, block off entry into sheds, roofs and buildings.
Under the regional pest managment plan a possum must not be kept as a pet.
Shooting helps to maintain low possum numbers. Every person who is shooting must either hold a firearms licence, or be under the supervision of a person who holds a firearms licence. You should inform your neighbours of where and when you intend to be shooting.
When night shooting, ensure your spotlight battery is fully charged and you know the area well. Make sure you positively identify your target before shooting. For example, the ‘eye-shine’ of possums and rabbits is red-pink, while the ‘eye-shine’ of sheep and cattle is yellow-green. Note that repeated night shooting in the same area may become less effective, as possums can become shy of light and guns.
There are several different types of trap available. The following traps are discussed below.
To improve your catch rate, use a ‘lure’ to attract possums to your traps. Make your own ‘lure’ by mixing oil essences and powdered spices (such as cinnamon, curry powder) with five parts flour and one part icing sugar to sprinkle around traps.
Place the traps where possums will find them during normal movements, for example the base of trees and posts showing possum signs, and on possum ‘runs’. Place the traps on level ground. This ensures captured animals don’t hang over steep banks or ledges.
The Victor No.1 coil-spring trap is a good example of a leg-hold trap. It is small, light and its non-serrated jaws can hold possums without causing major injury.
Only specific leg hold traps are legal. To find out if your traps are permitted, check out www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/stds/traps.
Where there is a risk of catching non-target animals or ground birds such as kiwi, you will need to do the following:
Kill traps are typically lightweight and easy to set. There are many different designs but the principle is to quickly and humanely kill the possum. These traps can effectively control possums in small to moderate sized areas, such as urban gardens and lifestyle blocks. The main advantage of kill traps is that they don’t need to be checked daily. Traps may be left in place for long periods and they are costeffective as a long-term control technique.
The Timms kill trap is a popular example of a kill trap. They can be set:
When using Timms traps:
Live capture traps (cage traps) can be purchased from most farm supply stores. For those living in Hamilton, Hamilton City Council offers the hire of live capture traps for catching possums. Live capture traps are mainly used in urban areas where there is a higher likelihood of catching pets.
Some poisons require a Controlled Substance Licence. For more information about this licence and application forms, visit www.epa. govt.nz or www.business.govt.nz/ worksafe.
When using poisons:
Seven poisons are currently registered for possum control in New Zealand:
Only brodifacoum, sodium nitrite and cholecalciferol can be used by landowners/occupiers without the need for a controlled substance licence. Poisons are often the most effective way for landowners to control possums in large areas and are usually less labour intensive than trapping or shooting.
Poisons are usually put in bait stations, which helps keep the bait dry and away from non-target animals. By initially filling bait stations with a non-toxic form of the bait you intend to use (pre-feeding), you’ll get a higher kill rate when using fast acting poisons like sodium nitrite and cholecalciferol. A pre-feed around one week before placing poison baits should be enough.
Most baits used in pest control are not designed to last for long periods in bait stations. If not clearly stated on the product label, remove, replace and dispose of remaining bait after about one month.
Cyanide, phosphorous, PindoneTM (possum and rats) and 1080 are deadly poisons. A licence is required to store, handle and use these poisons. For more information on obtaining a licence, contact WorkSafe New Zealand.
Disclaimer: Any product names mentioned above are not an endorsement nor are they a criticism of similar products not mentioned.
| Control method | Key points |
| Shooting |
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| Trapping |
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| Brodifacoum |
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| Cholecalciferol |
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| Sodium nitrite |
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