Saturday, 24 May 2014

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #203 Install a Possum Box

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #203 Install a Possum Box


In Australia possums often cause eye rolls in conversations about the roof space having been invaded by tiny furry creatures wearing hob-nail boots, who like to stomp around when we’re trying to sleep. It can be a frustrating thing to get a possum permanently out of the roof – the entry point (often a loose roof tile) needs to be closed off, but only after the possum has exited to go and feed, and this will only happen after dark, meaning the roof repair will be a late night affair.
Possums are nocturnal creatures and like to live in cosy places such as tree hollows, where they can snuggle up during the daylight hours, safely away from other animals and the glare of the sun. With many trees being cleared, possums have less opportunity for a safe place to live and may well be tempted to take up residence in your roof. Supplying them with a possum box is a win/win solution, allowing humans and possums to live side by side more peaceably. This government website has all the information you need for building and installing the right type of possum box for your area, whether you’re looking after brush tails, ring tails, or sugar gliders:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/GuideToMakingAPossumHouse.htm
If you can’t make your own possum box there are plenty of people selling ready-made boxes. Just be sure to get the correct type of box for the possums in your area.

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