|
|
Post by pitcherfreak on Aug 28, 2007 6:50:36 GMT
Have a look at this. Quite a few of my plants have been munched by hungry brush tailed possums  . Seemed to like the purpureas more than other types but the uprights have been knibbled as well. Have trapped 9 so far didn't know there were that many round the place  .  Is a pity I left doing anything so long but I didn't notice the damage being done until they were really getting munched. |
|
|
|
Post by Hikenyura on Aug 29, 2007 1:14:32 GMT
wow, that looks brutal
|
|
|
|
Post by pitcherfreak on Aug 29, 2007 5:55:15 GMT
Not as brutal as what happened to them . I hear another one out there last night so it will be out with the trap again. I'm sure the plants will recover come the growing season  |
|
|
|
Post by mannyherrera on Aug 29, 2007 22:40:08 GMT
Just say you "relocated" them. Some people will get on your case otherwise.
|
|
|
|
Post by pitcherfreak on Aug 30, 2007 1:02:22 GMT
Don't worry they didn't suffer.
Actually some people have tried recocation and it doesn't work they seem to be able to return from at least 5 km in distance. They carry bovine TB and are notorious native flora eaters as well. A pity because they are really quite cute.
They are great finding home.
|
|
|
|
Post by mannyherrera on Aug 30, 2007 21:21:56 GMT
The possums we have here in the states are far from cute. They are ugly as hell. Luckily, I've never had problems with them. It's the crows that aggress upon my plants. they love to pick at the live sphagnum uprooting small plants in the process. I've "relocated" some of these.
|
|
Clint
Full Member
Posts: 808
|
Post by Clint on Aug 30, 2007 22:37:19 GMT
Lmao, he's right. Here's the Opossum we have in the states: www.vamoosevarmint.com/opossum%20control.jpgAnd here's the adorable wikkle brush tailed Possum www.ckcbirds.co.uk/Images/brush_tail_possum.jpgI'd take the cute Possum over the..... mouth with a rat tail we have here any day. Try spraying some bitter apple on the leaves (sparingly) or sprinkling some cayenne pepper around the plant if it's a real habitual problem. Or get a cage and put over it. |
|
|
|
Post by Not a Number on Aug 30, 2007 22:48:16 GMT
One of the Australian websites said sprinkling blood and/or bones (meal?) on/near your plants would keep the brush tailed possums away. Of course these are fertilizers and would not be good for CPs.
These measures would no doubt attract predators and scavengers too, which is probably why the brush tails avoid these scents. You might be trading one problem with another.
|
|
|
|
Post by pitcherfreak on Aug 31, 2007 0:35:27 GMT
Around here for deterence the best measure I've seen is a very low 6 to 12 inch 2 wire electric fence. Works well on rose beds which brushtails absolutely adore (and smash). It should work well in Australia where the little (Not so little really, bigger than a cat) possums are protected (and not nearly so numerous).
|
|
|
|
Post by brokken on Sept 2, 2007 16:00:47 GMT
Ack... I never had a problem with wildlife until this year. This last year something started digging up my plants. I suspect a combination of possums and birds. It got me EXTREMELY ticked off because at least if they chew up the leaves, the plant will be able to recover. I've come home (or woken up) to find my plants in disarray around their planters. I got something called a 'garden ghost' which essentially is a motion sensor on top of a can of compressed air. It works moderately well, but at $40 a pop and an effective range of a few feet, it could get expensive quickly.
|
|
|
|
Post by ICPS-bob on Sept 3, 2007 0:39:27 GMT
brokken. I wonder if you could replace the can of compressed air with a can of spray paint. That way, the red or blue culprit might be embarrassed amongst its peers.
|
|
wadave
Full Member
He don't know me vewy well do he?
Posts: 283
|
Post by wadave on Sept 5, 2007 10:55:48 GMT
Clint, if you're talking about how ugly your possums are then I can whole heartedly agree.
They look like something out of a B grade horror movie....but don't let our possum's cute looks fool you, those claws are deadly and will tear holes in what ever part of you get close enough to gouge.
They are nasty tempered little buggers as I found out first hand as a kid when I climbed into a cage containing one or two to pat them.
Dave.
|
|
|
|
Post by pitcherfreak on Sept 6, 2007 7:40:58 GMT
Mmm they can bite quite well too
|
|
wadave
Full Member
He don't know me vewy well do he?
Posts: 283
|
Post by wadave on Sept 7, 2007 5:02:38 GMT
Ohhh yes,
As most NZers would agree they are best viewed down the sights of a rifle....
|
|
matti
Full Member
Posts: 216
|
Post by matti on Sept 7, 2007 9:21:24 GMT
And if you don't have a rifle, potato cannons work just aswell. ;D I used to work with a guy who made one and shot flying foxes with tennis balls, he got caught by the coppers and had to go to court. ;D
|
|
. Seemed to like the purpureas more than other types but the uprights have been knibbled as well. Have trapped 9 so far didn't know there were that many round the place 
.
