Humane Removal of Opossums
Opossums are North America’s only marsupial. Opossums are nocturnal mammals that inhabit yards, crawl spaces and urban areas in search of food and shelter. While they help control other pests like insects and small rodents, they can cause problems by raiding trash cans, eating pet food and nesting in unwanted areas. Their presence can cause property damage, foul odors and even spread diseases. This guide will cover the best ways to get rid of opossums and prevent future infestations.
Signs of an Opossum on Your Property
Opossums are opportunistic feeders and will find food wherever possible. If you notice a foul odor near crawl spaces, sheds or under your deck an opossum may be living nearby. Trash cans that have been knocked over or compost bins that have been disturbed are common signs of opossum activity. If pet food or cat food left outside is disappearing overnight an opossum may be the culprit. They will also enter chicken coops, eat eggs and prey on small animals. Brush piles, gaps in structures and other hiding places can be shelter for these animals.
How to Deter Opossums and Help Keep Other Animals Away
Opossums are attracted to food sources and hiding spots so removing these attractants is key to keeping them away.
Eliminate Food Sources
Opossums will eat almost anything including fallen fruit, pet food and household garbage. Securing trash cans with tight fitting lids will prevent them from rummaging through waste. Fruit trees can also attract opossums so clean up fallen fruit regularly. Keeping pet food indoors and making sure pet doors are closed at night will reduce the chance of an opossum getting into your home. Open doors or easy access to food will encourage them to stick around. Compost bins should be covered to avoid attracting these scavengers.
Remove Shelter and Hiding Places
Opossums look for safe places to rest during the day and often hide in crawl spaces, under decks and in brush piles. Clearing brush piles and trimming overgrown vegetation will remove hiding spots. Sealing entry points around sheds, attics and crawl spaces will prevent opossums from taking shelter on your property. Chicken wire can be installed around vulnerable areas like chicken coops to protect small animals from being preyed upon.Deter Opossums with Repellents
Strong smells like garlic and hot sauce will deter opossums from returning to an area. Sprinkle these around entry points and potential shelter areas and the space will be less inviting. Motion-activated sprinklers are another way to scare opossums away as they will startle the animal and make it leave. Hardware cloth can be used to protect gardens from opossums looking for food.
Trap and Exclude Opossums
Humane trapping is one of the best ways to get rid of opossums on your property. Baiting traps with fruit or even pet fur will attract them. Once caught a wildlife control professional can safely relocate the opossum to a better environment. Exclusion methods like sealing entry points and installing deterrents will prevent opossums from coming back.
Preventative Measures to Keep Opossums Away
Preventing opossums from coming back requires ongoing maintenance. Regularly inspect your property for entry points and seal any gaps and they will not find shelter. Keep the yard clean and free of food waste and they will lose interest in the area. Pet food should not be left outside especially overnight as it will attract not only opossums but other wildlife like skunks and rodents. Motion-activated devices and exclusion barriers are also effective in preventing opossum infestations.
Are Opossums Dangerous?
Opossums are not aggressive but will defend themselves if cornered. When threatened they may play dead for a few minutes to avoid confrontation. While they are less likely to spread rabies than other wildlife they can carry diseases like Lyme disease and parasites that can affect pets and other animals. They also compete with other wildlife for food which can attract more pests.
When to Call a Wildlife Control Professional
If opossums keep coming back despite your preventative measures call a wildlife removal expert. A wildlife removal professional can do a thorough inspection to find entry points and implement exclusion methods to exclude opossums for good. Wildlife removal pros also ensure humane relocation and keep both the animals and your property safe.
Conclusion
Opossums can be removed with food source elimination, shelter securing and deterrents. By taking preventative measures like sealing entry points and keeping the yard clean you can greatly reduce opossums. When needed professional wildlife removal services can provide the most effective methods and long term solutions to opossums or other animals.
