What's different on the plateau
Rainforest between the streets
The planning scheme describes a mosaic of ancient rainforest and other remnant vegetation along waterway corridors, in reserves and on the steeper escarpment. Martins, Rocky and Mountain creeks are the main waterways.
Reserves on the back fence
Buderim Forest Park, the Eric Joseph Foote War Memorial Sanctuary, Eggmolesse Environmental Reserve and Rocky Creek Conservation Reserve are all here. Sunshine Coast Council describes Buderim Forest as a 45 hectare subtropical reserve, with tracks following Martin's Creek.
Higher and milder
The plateau is about 150 metres above sea level, which the planning scheme says gives it a temperate local climate. That's no reason to skip termite checks on the Sunshine Coast.
Mature gardens
The scheme calls Buderim a mature coastal urban area, and it lists Pioneer Cottage and properties around Gloucester Road among its places of character. Big old trees over a roof make a handy road for possums and rats, so pruning matters as much as patching gaps.
Snake in the yard or the house?
Stay back, and never try to catch or kill it. Snakes are protected in Queensland, and the state's advice is to keep a licensed snake catcher's details on hand. If one's inside, close the internal doors, open the external doors and give it a chance to leave. For a bite, call 000, apply a pressure bandage, keep the person still and don't wash the bite.
Possum or rat in the roof?
| Possum | Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| What you hear | Scampering across the roof, deep coughs and sharp hisses | Scratching, squeaking, clawing and gnawing |
| When | Leaves at night to feed, sleeps in the roof by day | During the night |
| Quick check | Watch for it leaving the roof at dusk | Look for greasy rub marks and gnawed wood or cable |
| Who deals with it | Proofing, and lawful catch and release on your property | A pest business |
What the law says about possums
Possums are protected in Queensland, and catching one is only for someone licensed to do it. It then has to be released within 25 metres of where it was caught, so it isn't going far. Queensland Government advice is that another nearby possum often takes its place unless the entry points are repaired.
That's why proofing is the part that matters. Our possum page and possums and the law go through it, and rat and mouse control covers the other noise in the ceiling.
Termites and buying in Buderim
Keep up a yearly termite inspection, the gap the QBCC advises, and ask the inspector whether your block needs one sooner. Steep blocks hide things, so clear access under decks and around retaining walls before the inspector arrives.
If you're buying, remember a building and pest inspection covers two licences, and our pre purchase page explains who does what. For termite treatment, see termites on the Sunshine Coast.
Suspect fire ants aren't a job we can take. They go to Biosecurity Queensland, within 24 hours, as Queensland law requires.
Where we'd start on the plateau
Trim anything touching the roof, then work out what you're hearing before you ring anyone. If it's a possum, the answer is proofing. If it's rats, a pest controller can take it from there. Either way, keep the termite inspection going each year.
Want someone to look at it?
Tell us what you've seen and your postcode, and a local pest business that handles exactly that calls you to talk it through.
