However urban areas have a shortage of trees bearing hollows that can be used as dens. Brushtail possums to this shortage by using house roofs and other dark recesses in buildings as dens. However possums and humans are not always compatible house companions. Possums are also notorious for fouling ceilings of houses and buildings. Other problems arise from the feeding behaviour of possums.
Possums browse on garden plants and have a reported liking for roses and other ornamental species.
Fruit trees are also subject to possum damage as possums will try unripened fruit then discard it. Possums have been known to eat pet food that is left out and will scavenge in bins for discarded foodstuffs. Some people find it very difficult to tolerate these behaviours and so live trapping and subsequent relocation to outlying native bushland has been used in an attempt to alleviate these problems. In this situation, the possums are being translocated on a basis that it is more socially acceptable and a humane way of dealing with nuisance possums rather than some form of euthanasia. It is believed that the welfare and well-being of the possums are better served by moving them to a location where they can settle and no longer come into contact with humans.