Paddington’s mix of Victorian terraces and pocket sized courtyard gardens isn’t the obvious spot for a possum, but the suburb’s street trees and nearby parks give them enough of a path to the rooftops. Once a possum finds a way into a terrace roof line, it can move along quite a distance given how connected the roofs are between neighbouring homes. The thumping and scratching usually starts around dusk when it heads out to feed. This page covers why possums end up in Paddington roofs and how they’re safely encouraged to move on.
Noise at night, thumping or scratching not long after dark and again near dawn, is the clearest sign. A musty smell near one part of the ceiling and an obvious entry point around a chimney, tile gap, or old eave are also worth checking for.
A roof gives a possum shelter and an easy path to the trees along Paddington’s streets and nearby parks. Terrace roof lines that connect several homes together give a possum more room to move than the entry point alone would suggest, which is part of why the noise can sometimes seem to come from a different part of the house than where the possum actually got in.
Possums are a protected native animal in New South Wales, so moving one on takes a bit more care than chasing it out. The approach involves confirming the entry point, then fitting a one way door so the possum can leave to feed but can’t get back in the same way. Because terrace roofs are more connected, confirming exactly where a possum is coming and going from can take a little longer than in a standalone home.
Possums are active after dark, so a one way door only works once fitted while the possum is out. Checking for a joey during the cooler months matters too, since separating a mother from her young by rushing the process is worth avoiding.
Once the roof is clear, sealing the entry point properly is what stops the next possum getting in. Given how connected terrace roof lines are, it’s worth checking that neighbouring gaps aren’t giving a possum another way to the same roof space.
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They’re territorial, and in terrace housing a possum may keep finding its way back through a shared roof line if the entry point isn’t properly closed.
No, sealing while a possum is still inside traps it, which usually causes more damage and a worse smell.
They’re around all year, with more activity in the cooler months and again during breeding season.
Yes, scratching and nesting material can affect insulation and ceiling linings over time.
It moves to a new spot nearby, usually not far given how territorial possums are.
Possums are a protected species, and terrace roof lines make it harder to confirm an entry point on your own, so getting the roof checked properly is usually the more straightforward option.
Anyone dealing with this across Paddington can reach same day pest control paddington for this kind of job.
Our pest control experts are ready to answer any specific questions about your pest concerns.