Would a light in the roof space to deter possums be a fire hazard?

[martinh]

I am thinking of putting a motion-sensitive light (LED) in the roof space to deter possums (nothing else I have tried seems to work). The space is reasonably clean but probably a little dusty (federation house). Would the heat generated by that sort of light be a fire hazard?

[Herrenovacation]

Hi @martinh 

I have tired the spikes, outdoor ultrasonic repeller and the spray you can buy from bunnings, unfortunately none of them worked for me so I feel your pain. I have also heard about the tube and disks that goes over your power supply line, but not had much luck with enquiry's about installing them. I paid a fortune to have a professional come out and catch the possum only to have another one move in. 

I have been thinking of installing a possum box in hope I can coax it out of my roof into the box but not sure how much luck I will have. But maybe with the added light it might help. I'm not a tradie so for it being a fire hazard Im not 100% sure but I guess it depends how it is installed and if it gets enough air flow to not over heat. I would also be mindful if its a senor light they might find a way around it to not set it off. Those little buggers can be pretty clever. 

Possums are territorial so if you can get them to live elsewhere on your property that might be the best long term solution and is what I am trying to plan. 

My neighbours ended up moving their powerline underground costly but they don't have to worry about it at all anymore as that was the only access point. 

Let me know if you ended up having any luck. 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @martinh. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing a light in a room space.

It is great to see that @Herrenovacation has provided a helpful answer.

If the light is installed in an open roofspace as per electrical standards then it would not pose a fire hazard. LED lights do not generate anywhere near as much heat as the older incandescent style. However, I would strongly suggest that you enlist the services of an electrician to install the light to ensure your safety.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[martinh]

Thanks. I will check again. Electrician has installed a power point up there just in case, but now I need to look for a cheap light that has a plug. MKost seem to be either wired in or rechargeable.

[martinh]

Possum specialist first said it was a rat, not a possum, which had some credence since a large, overgrown garden nearby had just been cleared. Pest exterminator laid baits and I tried a trap - none touched. I finally got a trail camera and got pictures of a brushtail as well as a ringtail at different times. Some time later had to remove a large, dead ringtail from the small section of flat roof by cutting a hole in the ceiling. A bit of peace for a while and then the loud footsteps came back. I made a possum box and put it in a tree in the garden (and put some fruit in it). Trail camera got a picture of a possum completely ignoring it and going up a different branch. Also got a picture of a possum raiding some fruit in the garden. Put some quassia chips in one section of the roof and that may be working. About to put some in the other section but a light as well might help....

[Herrenovacation]

I have also seen brushtail's as well as a ringtail's at different times and usually a mother and baby.

I have heard quassia chips help, but I did also hear they could cause damage in the roof I assume you haven't had any issues? Unfortunately my roof is not really accessible from the inside as it is a flat roof. 

If you trim the trees would that help, is that how they are accessing the roof? 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @martinh,

Work lights are plug-in and something like this Arlec 25W 2400lm LED Portable Work Light could be suitable for your purposes.

Mitchell

[martinh]

Thanks. I first thought I would have to wire something up but I picked one up a sensor light this morning (slightly lower power). I had an electrician put a power point up there a while ago for just this purpose. It is an old roof, so quite a big space. Will set it up next time I go up there (never much fun) to see if the possum has appeared on camera again.