Pests or pals? Living with urban wildlife
Calamitous cockies, pushy possums and the odd snake: love them or loathe them, Australian cities are rich in native wildlife that’s adapted to an urban lifestyle.
And even though they can be annoying and often become pests — as anyone who has had possums living in their roof will attest — we can co-exist happily with our city-dwelling feathered, furry and scaly friends.
That’s right — even possums.
Here are a few ways to live alongside the animals on your doorstep without calling pest control every other day.
How do I stop possums nibbling on my herbs …
Boil chillies and garlic in water, let it cool, strain and pour it in a spray bottle, and spray your garden.
This stinky, spicy concoction will keep possums away, along with loads of other herb-chomping creatures, said Sarah Bekessy, an urban ecologist at RMIT in Melbourne.
The natural chemical weapon contains capsaicin from chilli, which is the active ingredient in pepper spray, and irritating sulphur-based garlic compounds, which can kill insects on contact.