Thread: Possum problem - electric fence?

Dumped (re-located) possums usually die fairly nastily - possums are extreemly territorial. A 240 volt electric fence would be more humane.

If you know any 'crazy cat ladies' you may be able to do a deal for used cat litter - fertilizer & possum deterrent in one.

Or, if you are brave, just pee on the possums yourself

By a '240 volt fence' hopefully you mean a mains powered energiser - which will have output of a few thousand volts but a pulsating current of only about one tenth of an amp. Volts frighten, amps kill. Touching an electric fence is similar to touching a spark plus lead. It is a thud, not a tingle. Some years ago a gardener in Darwin rigged up a 240v electric fence and went to jail after a child died while retreiving a football.

There is lightweight netting available which is designed to be electrified eg Electric Netting Fence - depending on location, any fence electrification may require council approval and neighbours should be consulted, warning signs erected etc otherwise public liability insurer may not help with an assault claim.

Originally Posted by bsrlee

Dumped (re-located) possums usually die fairly nastily - possums are extreemly territorial. A 240 volt electric fence would be more humane.

If you know any 'crazy cat ladies' you may be able to do a deal for used cat litter - fertilizer & possum deterrent in one.

Or, if you are brave, just pee on the possums yourself

I was going to comment on relocation but was beaten to it. If you pee on the possum just make sure that it is not climbing on a 240v or other electric fence at the time or you may relocate yourself. LOL

Dean

Originally Posted by variant22

I don't exactly live on a rural block, but I do have a bit of a possum issue. I like to grow a few fruit trees and the possums near destroyed them last year by eating all the new foliage. I managed to revive a few but now need a solution before the onslaught that spring brings.

I have tried Poss-off type stuff (washes off with rain) but I need a more permanent solution. I am thinking of an electric fence, but I have no idea if this will work? I do not really want to cover all my plants as they are free standing and somewhat decorative. I need something that can protect my back fence as my house has bush behind.

Doubt an electric fence will work, & there is the OH&S issue mentioned in other post(s). Guardian dogs look after free range chooks, sheep, goats, fairy penguins, crops, cattle & horses & other livestock. If you have a fenced block & can deal with the barking issue, it might be worth trying. Here is a link to a comprehensive manual, which is also worth perusing in it's own right "http://www.invasiveanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Guardian-Dogs-web.pdf"
Good luck

I use a .22 rifle.

Originally Posted by Newboy

I use a .22 rifle.

You won't in Oz, they're native and protected.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

You won't in Oz, they're native and protected.

No offense intended. They are the only native marsupial up here.

But, if you can't shoot them, what would you eat?

Grits'n stuff

Earl Scruggs used possum fat as a pomade. Before he would play he would rub his picks through his hair as a lube. really.

Yes I feel sorry for you guys cause I was just hearing about the troubles you have over there from a couple who have left Aussie to move back here after Chch needed more skilled workers.
Here of course, they are treated as noxious pests so instead of swerving to miss them when driving, we purposely swerve to get them!
Id be seriously peeved if they got into our precious fruit trees like i read of one of the reports on this thread. Whow! What about dogs, Can you somehow allow the pet dog to go grab them? Need to be a bit bigger than a corgi but an old sheep dog I had some years ago, used to get real excited about them and grab it & shake it/them until they went limp (dead).
Sounds like your animal rangers need the same treatment if these critters are in built up areas. Let them live in the hills I say. There must surely be enough bush in the hills or rurally for them to enable them to produce enough off spring to keep a reasonable "community" of them going.
Best luck!!!!