Bondi Beach isn’t the first suburb people think of for possums, but the reserve and cliffside bushland running along the coast toward Bronte give them a route into nearby streets, and older beach cottages with roof cavities are a comfortable option once they get there. The thumping and scratching usually starts around dusk when the possum heads out to feed. This page covers why possums end up in Bondi 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 main sign. A musty smell near one part of the ceiling and an obvious entry point around a tile or eave are worth checking for too.
A roof gives a possum shelter and a path to nearby trees and coastal scrub. Streets closer to the cliffside reserve see more possum activity than those further from the coastal bushland, since it’s a shorter trip from tree cover to roofline.
Possums are a protected native animal in New South Wales, so moving one on takes more care than chasing it out. The usual 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.
Possums are active after dark, so a one way door only works if 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, particularly on homes closer to the coastal reserve, cuts down the chance of the next possum settling in.
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They’re territorial and tend to return to a shelter spot they know, so unless the entry point is closed properly, a new possum often finds its way back in.
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, nesting material, and urine can affect insulation and ceiling linings over time.
It finds a new spot to shelter nearby, often somewhere in the coastal scrub or a neighbouring tree.
Possums are a protected species, and getting the timing or door wrong can trap the possum inside, so getting the roof checked properly is usually the more straightforward option.
Anyone dealing with this around Bondi Beach can reach same day pest control bondi beach for this kind of job.
Our pest control experts are ready to answer any specific questions about your pest concerns.