Step 1
Confirm the animal
Inspect signs, roof access and the building perimeter to distinguish possums from rodents or birds.
Inner West · NSW 2040
Humane Possum Removal in Leichhardt
Leichhardt terrace roofs can connect along party walls and rear additions. A possum may cross several properties without living in each one. Proofing a single visible hole before the roof is checked risks trapping the animal or pushing it into the next cavity.
Ask about same-day availability; appointment times depend on capacity and safe access.
On the ground in Leichhardt
Before anyone closes a roof opening
What is worth checking first
Listen for a heavy, deliberate route soon after dusk. Compare it with the fast, repeated scratching of rats. Check chimney surrounds, rear eaves and branches from back gardens, then work out which openings fall inside the booked property.
Access changes the job
Mid-row terraces may have only an internal manhole and rear courtyard access. Neighbouring roofs stay off limits without permission. Dependent young also change the timing, so same-day inspection does not mean same-day exclusion.
What to say when you book
Say whether the home is mid-row, end-row or semi-detached. Mention shared roof lines, recent renovations and the time the animal leaves. Ask for the capture licence details if trapping is proposed. A short dusk video can help show which roof belongs to the route.
What happens next
Possum Removal steps, in order
Step 2
Check for young
Do not install exclusion until the roof has been checked for dependent animals and other occupants.
Step 3
Plan a lawful exit
Use non-harmful exclusion where suitable. Any capture and release must be completed under a current NSW licence.
Step 4
Seal every entry point
After the roof is confirmed empty, close the identified access points so another possum cannot move in.
Step 5
Consider nearby shelter
A correctly positioned nest box can provide alternative shelter while allowing the possum to remain in its territory.
Before the technician arrives
- Note when the smell, noise, flies or staining first appeared and where it is strongest.
- Keep children and pets away from the affected area and do not handle wildlife without advice.
- Do not cut ceilings, spray into cavities or seal an opening before the source and occupants are confirmed.
- For apartments or shared property, contact strata or the building manager before arranging common-property access.
A live possum is protected wildlife
A healthy possum outdoors is part of the local environment. Roof entry is the property problem. Capture and release requires a current NSW licence. Call WIRES or Sydney Wildlife for an animal that looks sick, injured or orphaned.
Possum Removal Leichhardt FAQs
Are possums protected in NSW?
Yes. Possums are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Catching and releasing a possum requires a current licence and licence conditions apply.
Can you provide same-day possum help in Leichhardt?
Same-day inspection may be available depending on technician capacity and safe roof access. Phone to check the next appointment rather than relying on an unconfirmed response-time promise.
Why not seal the hole during the day?
A possum or dependent young may still be inside. Sealing too early can trap an animal in the roof. The void must be checked and confirmed empty before permanent proofing.
How far can a captured possum be moved?
Current NSW guidance says licensed handlers must release a possum after sunset, on the property where it was captured and within 150 metres of the capture point, against something it can immediately climb.
Can proofing one terrace move the possum next door?
It can if connected roof gaps remain open. The technician should map the boundary and explain which openings can be closed from your property. Neighbours may need their own inspection when the route crosses several roofs.
Need help in Leichhardt?
Call to describe the problem and confirm service-area and same-day availability.