Ive lost the War, the Possums are winning

18 years ago

I live in Mona Vale, NSW Â this is about 15km North of the Sydney CBD Âthe way the crows flyÂ. WeÂre a small complex of 4 townhouses on the Northern side of Mona Vale beach and ÂcopÂ the Southerlies Âfull onÂ. After 30 years of ÂneglectÂ we re-planted our Eastern boundary last spring (the strip is curved and between 1.5- 2.5m wide and 20m long). ItÂs in Âopen lineÂ with the Southerlies; read: no protection at all from wind and/or salt). We need 10/10 Salt proof and 10/10 Wind proof plants. The horticulturist who helped us with selection of plants recommended:

- At the rear of the garden bed: sections of Dwarf NZ Christmas Bush (Metrosideros collina "Tahiti" Â growing to 1-1.2m high, pink flowers/bird-attracting. These are interspersed with sections of NZ Flax (Phormium tenax "Sunset") Â approx 1m high, purple colour.

- In front of this (in the wider sections of the ÂcurvedÂ garden bed), is a middle level of Variegated Mirror Bush (Coprosma "Rainbow Surprise") Â growing to approx 1m high, different shades of pink/grey/green.

- In front of this (following the curved line of the garden bed) is a ÂborderÂ of Dwarf Mat Rush (Lomandra confertifolia "Little Con") Â growing to 0.3m, white (very small) flowers.

- At two places (in the less wide sections of the garden bed are) are Mt Wilson rock formations (0.1-0.4m high, 1-1.2m long. The Mt Wilson rock has different shades of grey/brown/red/pink Â and is especially very pretty when itÂs wet)

- Choosing the flowering plants/colours of the plants, weÂve tried to Âwork inÂ with the

Mt Wilson rock colours.

Our problem NOW is NOT the SALT or WIND Â ItÂs POSSUMS!!! For the past 9 months IÂve protected the NZ Christmas Bush and the Variegated Mirror Bush with green plastic bags & stakes. However, WHATEVER GROWS OVER THE TOP of the green plastic bags GETS EATEN OVERNIGHT BY POSSUMS!!!

I have tried all the possum ÂdeterrentsÂ. Catching/removing the possums is not an option, as others will move into the vacated Âterritory'.

I have put several ÂtestÂ plants in the garden strip that were "absolutely guaranteed, 100% Possum-proof and Wind proof" by Nurseries Â No luck so farÂ If the possums donÂt like them, a Southerly gets themÂ

Our local Council Bush regeneration officer recommends native plants only:

- Westringia Fruitocosa (native rosemary) Â mostly green with very small, white flowers;

- The Coastal tea tree (I havenÂt been able to find info on this, but sense it grows beyond 1.2m?);

- Pommaderris Species B (again, I havenÂt been able to find info on this plant).

We are not limited to ÂnativesÂ and like to have a little ÂcolourÂ in the garden (if we can). I have researched this website and couldnÂt find info on SMALLER BUSHES that possums DONÂT LIKEÂ

- WeÂre looking for 1-1.2m high bushes to replace the Dwarf NZ Christmas Bush and

- 0.6-0.7m high bushes to replace the middle layer of Variegated Mirror Bush.

- The NZ Flax and Dwarf Mat Rush (Little...

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Comments (6)

gardenlen
18 years ago
batady,

yeh a real problems and with so many possums involved, don't know if i can help but i'll throw some thoughts your way:

are you able to or already have a high fence at least 6' high, where they can be blocked from crawling under? if so buy some of the 20" flat tin (it comes in green bonded colour as well zinc) attach this around the whole circumference of the top of the fence on the outside this will prevent them climbing over, you need no overhanging branches from big trees near by but, if there are you can use the same material to put a collar around the tree that surrounds the tree from about a meter upward, you will see this material used a lot along the tops of fences along the highway.

another would be to create a feed station well away from your garden in that natural bush somewhere, and also put up some nesting boxes, feed them old fruit mainly.

also would suggest going with the council idea of indemic natives do some more research (don't rely on landscape/nursery suppliers they will only suggest what they sell)there are probably o lot more trees more attractive than those commonly sold out there, and at the end of the day the possums won't be interested in the foliage but still maybe attracted by the flowers.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: len's garden page
dnnaa
18 years ago
lady of the bats
We feel your pain. I am currently facing the three horsemen of the apocalyse: Deer, Wallaby and Yowie. If it wasn't for the kind words of encouragement from the forum-mongers, Uncle Remiggio and I would have long ago surrendered. I won't bore you with the long history or soul-crushing defeats, outright routings and dismal failures we have had to contend with, but believe me, my Ice Berg roses will never be the same again and Uncle Remiggio still has a slight limp and one eye is more askew than socially acceptable.
Be advised, don't waste time exploring the various solutions on offer - their is no chemical, device, detector, emmitter or philosophy that has any effect on these creatures (I include possums as a potential fourth horeseman). Their is one and only one solution - extermination.
After months of research - literally weeks spent acting and thinking like animals, Uncle Remiggio and I have engaged in a ruthless guerilla war determined to eliminate the foe or die trying.
You will be abused. You will be reviled. The percieved cuteness of the possum is seem by many as more than enough reason to allow them to eat your plants and defecate on your Ice-bergs - but be strong - kill - kill - kill.
Please note that any comments in defence of "native" animals will be ignored vigorously.
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myth111
18 years ago
I too have lost the war with possums they have wrecked havoc in my garden chewing on my favourite plants & leaving so many messages behind I now have a new compost heap
I have tried trapping the little critters but they would put houdini to shame.
they are indestructable gangsters and are extorting food from me ...its either food or my plants.
I am now busy making cages.....for my plants
I no longer love possums
Jennie60
18 years ago
The latest newsletter from our local Hargreaves Nursery is suggesting Neem Oil and Soap for all sorts of pests, including possums. He mixed 15ml of Neem Oil in a 1 litre sprayer and sprayed the grape vines, which the possums love, instant success. It's very bitter and an all natural deterrent to 270 various insects around the world. In India, the Neem tree is called the wonder tree and is used as an insecticide and insect repellant. The writer also thinks it could be used successfully on other animals including wallabies and deer! He says there are no instructions on the Neem bottle, so the 15ml per Ltre is his recipe. Suggests you Google Neem Tree.
pos02
18 years ago
Possums just love grevilleas. Most of the QLD varieties/hybrids (ie with large flowers)will flower very prousely all year round, and look spectactular. The possums will (hopefully) go for these instead. Unless you have hundreds of possums, a few grevilleas should keep them happy. You could treat the grevilleas as a sacrifice plant, but in actual fact, removing the flowers only makes them flower more, which is great.
dnnaa
18 years ago
KILL.....KILL.....KILL.....

Ive lost the War, the Possums are winning

Comments (6)

gardenlen

dnnaa

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