What to do if you have possums scratching around in your roof

The weather is warming and possum numbers across the country have increased by 40 per cent already this spring, according to new data from Airtasker.

So chances are that if it isn't already happening, you are bound to hear the critters scratching away in your walls and roof at some stage in the coming months.

But what should you do if you do have an infestation issue in your home?

READ MORE: Karl claims full bragging rights after Queensland footy finals hat-trick

"It's basically their version of a housing crisis, they have been suffering from habitat loss and these little parks in cities, yes, they house a lot of possums," wildlife biologist Ryan Kassouf said.

"But that population of possums is expanding and there's just nowhere else to go other than in people's roofs."

And while Aussie families may have differing methods for "getting rid of" the possum problem in their roof, Ryan insists they are not actually pests, even if they are noisy and troublesome.

"They're more like a koala, they're a unique, iconic Australian species and they should be treated that way," he said.

"The best way to handle them is contact a professional possum trapper like myself, we do it humanely, we do it the right way.

"We have a duty of care for the possum and the family."

And to prevent the problem of a possum infestation, Ryan advises people keep up with their roof maintenance.

"Any gap that's about six to seven centimetres is big enough for little ringtail to get in," he said.

"Surprisingly, I've had a lot of ringtails just go under solar panels and that's where they create their drey and then you have to get them out, so you also need to barricade that and put a possum wire around it.

"And chimneys, basically these are the three culprits."

Hear more of Ryan's advice in the video above