Rat or Possum? How to Tell What Is in Your Roof
A possum is heavier, louder and noisier at the start and end of the night, while a rat makes lighter scurrying sounds and leaves thin, pointed droppings. Possums are protected native animals and rats are not, so the answer changes what you are allowed to do. Marks Pest Control confirms which animal it is before any treatment begins. Call 0482074889 or send photos of the droppings and any damage for a clear price.
Last updated 29 October 2026.
How can I tell a rat from a possum?
The clearest differences are weight, timing and droppings. A possum is much heavier than a rat, so its movement sounds like thumping, heavy footsteps or something being dragged, and it often shakes the ceiling. A rat sounds lighter, with scurrying, scampering and scratching, and it can be heard along beams and inside walls. A possum usually leaves the roof after dark to feed and comes back in the early hours of the morning, and it often rests in the roof during the day. Rat droppings are pointier and skinnier than possum droppings, and rats tend to leave many small ones along the paths they use, such as beams, pipes and the edges of the roof void. Damage can look alike, so use the table below, check more than one sign before you decide, and call us if the signs point in different directions.
Rat or possum: what are the signs side by side?
| Sign | Rat | Possum |
| Noise | Light scurrying, scratching and squeaking, inside walls and along beams | Heavy thumping, thudding and dragging, mostly overhead |
| Timing | Often active through the night, and can be heard at dusk and dawn | Leaves after dark and returns in the early hours. May rest in the roof by day |
| Droppings | Thin and pointed, often in many small scattered piles | Larger and blunter, often in a few clusters |
| Damage | Gnawed wiring, pipes and timber, shredded nesting material, greasy smears along walls | Flattened insulation, stained ceilings, lifted tiles, damaged eave lining |
| Smell | Stale, ammonia smell, stronger as numbers grow | Strong musky smell from urine and droppings |
| Entry | Small gaps. A mouse fits through a gap about as wide as a pencil | Larger gaps at eaves, broken tiles and holes in timber |
| Protected | No | Yes, a protected native animal |
What does the sound tell me?
Listen to the weight, the place and the time. Heavy thumps, thuds and the sound of something being dragged point to a possum, and they are usually heard overhead and loudest soon after dusk and just before dawn, when it leaves and returns. Light scurrying and scratching that moves inside walls, along beams and around pipes points to a rat or a mouse, and it can carry on through the night. Squeaking and gnawing, especially at night, are also signs of rodents. A single loud bang followed by silence is more likely a possum than a rat. If you hear noise in the middle of the day, it is more likely a rat or mouse, because possums are usually asleep. Record a short clip on your phone and send it with photos of any droppings, and we can often narrow it down before we visit.
What is the apple test?
The apple test is a simple way to check which animal is in your roof. Place a piece of apple, or another piece of fresh fruit, on a plate or on the beam near the hatch where you hear the noises, late in the afternoon, and check it the next morning. If the apple is gone, a possum is the most likely visitor, because rodents rarely carry away something that large. If the apple is gnawed and the pieces are left behind, rats or mice are more likely. Wear gloves, a mask and closed shoes when you go into the roof, and do not touch or move any droppings with bare hands. Do not go into a roof void if you are unsure about the beams, the insulation or the wiring. This is only a guide, so call us to confirm.
Why does it matter whether it is a rat or a possum?
The two animals call for different action, and getting it wrong can be costly. Possums are protected native animals, so in Victoria they must not be harmed. A brushtail possum living in a building may be trapped by the owner or occupier, it must be released on the same property within 50 metres, and moving it elsewhere is prohibited. Rats and mice are pests, and they are treated with traps and baits placed carefully, with the nesting areas and entry points dealt with at the same time. Sealing the roof is another difference. A possum must be allowed to leave first, or it may die inside or leave young behind, and rodents that eat bait often die in hidden spaces such as wall cavities, leaving a strong smell. The right method depends on the right identification.
What should I do while I wait for a visit?
- Do not block the entry point until the animal is confirmed to be out.
- Do not set bait or poison, because the animal may die in the roof and cause a smell for weeks.
- Keep food in sealed containers and take animal food bowls inside overnight.
- Trim branches that touch the roof so there is a gap of at least 1.5 metres.
- Note the time and kind of noise each night and take photos of droppings, stains and gaps at the eaves.
- Call us with what you have found.
How does Marks Pest Control tell them apart?
We start with what you tell us, including the sounds, the times and photos of the droppings. A technician then inspects the roof void and the outside of the house for entry points, droppings, nesting material, gnaw marks and runways. Once the animal is confirmed, we explain the method, the price and what happens to the animal. Rats and mice are treated and the entry points are closed. A possum is removed in line with Victorian rules and the entry is closed once the roof is confirmed empty.
FAQs
Can a possum and a rat live in the same roof?
Yes. A possum may use the roof as a den while rats or mice use the wall cavities and insulation, so each animal needs to be confirmed.
How big are possum droppings compared with rat droppings?
Possum droppings are larger and blunter. Rat droppings are thinner and pointed. Take a photo with a coin beside it for scale and send it to us.
Can I use poison to get rid of rats in the roof?
It is a poor choice. Rats that eat bait often die in hidden spaces such as wall cavities and roof voids, and the smell can last for weeks.
Will a possum leave on its own?
Sometimes. A possum that has settled in a roof usually returns each night unless the entry is closed after it leaves.
Why can I hear noises in the roof during the day?
More likely a rat or mouse, since possums mostly sleep by day. Birds and other animals can also make daytime noise.
What does it cost to remove a rat or a possum?
It depends on the animal, how many there are, the roof height and the sealing work. We give a clear price after an inspection or a look at your photos.
Related: Possum Guide