In New Zealand, possums are viewed a noxious pest. A rite of passage for country kids is certainly going out in the evening to shoot possums.

The possum, often known as an opossum is actually an Australian native that was introduced to New Zealand around or in 1837. The idea being of starting a fur industry, but it was twenty years before naturalizing in the pest occurred. The downside is description of how the occupy nearly 95% with the country.

The reason behind disliking them is they eat everything and anything. The roses in farmer’s gardens, going to the top of their culinary must haves. Possums eat native trees, shrubs, their flowers and buds from the lowest for the highest tops. It is very obvious where they’ve been when traveling past or through native bush. The bare trees stand out from the lush bush that surrounds possums have literally the killed the trees from eating them.

The nights sleeping in a very farmhouse could be noisy when there are possums in the vicinity, their sounds varying considerably from the scary to outright frightening.

With them eating so much in the bush, it denies other animals their right on the food they require. There are some sixty million possums in New Zealand, predominately living on farms and rough country. Blamed for spreading Possum removal Glen iris to stock, they have caused the creation of wide tuberculosis testing one of the national dairy herd. Ensuring the high standard with the New Zealand milk products is maintained.

As a noxious pest, the possum can’t be fur trade relies upon on hunters who shoot them and then sell pelts. You know if you have an opossum nearby, clattering on the top or keeping you awake. The half-eaten lemons or other fruit commonly a sign that possums are in the area.

Finding them in the evening up their favourite trees or stealing fruit from trees in a garden is straightforward which has a torch or spotlight. A spotlight is most beneficial because it has more power. The possum freezes or remains motionless and you will see the huge eyes of the animal. The saying of „playing possum” emanates from this attribute.

Catching and killing them may be as simple as laying a Timms trap with an apple sprinkled with cinnamon. They do like fresh, crispy apples. You check the trap in the morning and the deed done if you’re lucky. Shooting is yet another method and some, fun! Remember that a possum has a quite strong skull and unless it’s correctly shot, will not likely die. The best place for the shot is within the chest.

Ah, to get a good nights sleep!