Dealing with an opossum problem in your yard can be a real challenge for homeowners. Virginia opossums, the only type of opossum found in North America, are known for their scavenging habits, causing havoc in yards and gardens. These critters, enjoy playing possum in your garden or rummaging through your trash. They are not just nuisances but potential carriers of diseases through their droppings.
Opossum animal removal requires getting rid of live animals but also involves clean-up services for any droppings or dead animals left behind. Opossum removal is crucial for a clean and safe home environment.
When it comes to opossum removal, understanding their behavior and using a strategy to get rid of them is necessary. In this article I’ll discuss the various methods of opossum trapping and removal, including DIY approaches and professional wildlife removal services. Whether you choose to handle animal control yourself or opt for removal services from experts like Orkin, Terminix, or Aptive, you’ll learn the best ways for keeping these destructive pests away.
If trying to get rid of opossums on your own becomes too challenging, I recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals that use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions. These solutions are often more effective than standard DIY methods.
For Terminix quotes, you can reach them at 866-577-5051 or with this form.
For quotes from Orkin, call 866-701-4556, or fill out this form.
For a free quote from Aptive, call 855-521-7075 or visit the company’s website.
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How To Get Rid of Opossums
Opossum control starts when you identify the problem. After that, you can follow these simple steps to get rid of these pesky critters from your yard.
Unlike skunks and raccoons, opossums are relatively easy to trap. Still, you should consult with your state’s wildlife department concerning local laws before starting.
When choosing a live trap, make sure it is at least 10 inches wide and 32 inches deep. This will ensure there is plenty of room to accommodate the animal.
You can bait the trap with almost anything. However, what seems to work the best in most cases is fish-flavored cat food.
Ultrasonic pest repellers use ultrasound to discourage opossums and other wildlife animals. Their effectiveness increases when they come with flashing lights and audible alarms. Also, it’s preferable to have several scattered throughout your yard for maximum coverage.
An often overlooked wildlife deterrent is motion-activated sprinkler systems. When a nuisance animal enters the yard, it gets sprayed with water, causing it to leave.
Opossum repellents come in a wide range of chemical formulas, including sprays and granules. While they’re widely available, their effectiveness may wear off after only a short period. For that reason, it’s necessary to reapply often.
There are a few things to avoid. For example, mothballs do not work as wildlife deterrents. Besides, they’re not labeled for that purpose, and it’s illegal to use them in that manner.
Also, there is no scientific evidence that spreading coffee grounds or cinnamon all over your yard does anything but make a mess. Therefore, it’s best to stick with what works.
How To Keep Opossums Away
To keep opossums out of your yard, you need an integrative approach. There are several effective preventive control methods recommended by professional wildlife managers. These include — making your yard less appealing, using tools to stop them, and using natural repellents. By following these steps, you can create an environment that discourages opossums from making a mess of your yard and garden.
Opossums are omnivores, which means they’ll eat anything. With that in mind, it’s helpful to keep all food sources away from them.
Start by securing garbage cans. Make sure they have tight-fitting lids. Also, you can tie them to sturdy vertical objects such as trees or poles so they won’t blow over during windy seasons. Bungee cords work well for this.
Next, remove pet food bowls and relocate them indoors. If this proves to be impractical, at least bring them inside every night before dusk.
Last, be sure to keep your yard clear of any fallen fruits or vegetables that may attract wildlife. Also, check periodically for any dead birds or animals to discourage opossums that may eat them.
Make Your Yard Unattractive to Animals
To make your home less inviting to opposums, start by equipping yourself with the right lawn care accessories to keep your yard clean.
Regularly mow your lawn and trim any overgrown weeds. Remove brush piles, as these provide hiding spots for opossums and other pests.
Stacking firewood tightly avoids nesting underneath and keep it at least 18 inches off the ground to prevent wildlife from nesting underneath.
Finally, trim back shrubs and trees so they are at least five feet away from your house. This simple step prevents opossums and other animals from using branches to access your roof and attic. This makes it less likely they will make a home in your house.
Opossums can create hiding places in several locations around your home, including:
- Porches
- Steps
- Tool sheds
- Garages
- Attics
- Crawl spaces
You can limit their access to these areas by closing holes and entry points. The best way to do that is by screening openings with hardware cloth. Be sure to bury the edges at least six inches so animals cannot dig under them.
You can also keep opossums out of your garden with chicken coop wire. It’s best to create a four-foot-high fence with the top 18 inches bent outward. This flexible structure is difficult to climb and will help deter unwanted wildlife.
Repel Opossums Naturally
Natural wildlife repellents offer a chemical-free way to keep unwanted animals at bay. They come in both spray and granular forms. These repellents generally feature essential oils as their active ingredients — each known for its ability to deter pests. For example, peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, cedar, and lavender are common choices, that have a powerful blend that repels pests.
To use these natural repellents, sprinkle granules around known nesting sites or areas where you see animals. Additionally, apply liquid oil repellents around the perimeter of your home. This approach creates a barrier that discourages wildlife from entering your home and property.
How To Identify Opossums
To manage nuisance wildlife, you must first know what type of animal is invading your yard. Opossums are a common pest in many areas. Opossums, the only marsupials found in North America, are about the size of a house cat and distinguished by their gray fur, white face, and prehensile tail.
Understanding their life cycle and behavior, including how they involuntary “play dead” is important for wildlife control. Opossums can carry diseases and parasites that are harmful for both humans and pets. This makes identifying these animals correctly even more important.
Identification
Opossums are small animals about the size of a house cat. They’re the only marsupials in North America, meaning they carry their young in a pouch, similar to kangaroos.
Opossums are two to three feet long with gray fur and a white, pointed face. Their feet look more like small hands, which they use for hanging onto tree branches. They’re exceptional climbers and can hang upside down by their tails.
Life Cycle
Opossums typically mate in early spring, and the season can extend into the early summer months. Pregnant females carry their young for approximately 13 days.
Each litter consists of five to seven young. These young are altricial, meaning they are born hairless and helpless but find their way into the mother’s pouch. There, they nurse for up to 14 weeks.
As the young develop, some will ride on the mother’s back if the pouch becomes too full. Adult opossums generally live up to about three years.
Behavior
When predators threaten opossums, they often feign death. Contrary to popular belief, they cannot control this response. After a few minutes, the opossum recovers and tries to escape.
Juvenile opossums lack this ability. Instead, they stop, show their teeth, and growl at the threat. Unfortunately, this method rarely succeeds, and predators often kill the young opossum
Do Opossums Carry Diseases?
Opossums transmit ectoparasites to other animals and humans. These include:
Murine typhus is sometimes transmitted to humans by fleas that opossums have infected. It’s a bacterial infection that is rare and only found in subtropical climates in the U.S.
Symptoms of murine typhus include:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Body aches
- Rash
In severe cases, it can affect various bodily functions. However, death rarely occurs since there are antibiotics available to treat the condition.
Opossums are responsible for another disease called leptospirosis. It’s transmitted to humans through contact with water contaminated by animal feces and urine.
Common symptoms of leptospirosis are:
- Headache
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Red Eyes
- Rash
If left untreated, the disease can cause meningitis or kidney failure. Still, only a few deaths have been reported in the US.
Pets, including dogs and cats, can pick up flea infestations from opossums. For that reason, it’s best to keep wild animals, whether dead or alive, out of your yard.
Signs and Causes of an Opossum Infestation
Opossums are opportunistic scavengers with a remarkably varied diet, consuming nearly anything they come across. Their feeding habits include items such as fruits, nuts, frogs, and rodents, including roadkill. Among the food sources that attract them most to your yard are pet food and birdseed. Opossums are also drawn to vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and open trash cans, where they find plenty to eat.
Opossums will nest anywhere there is a plentiful source of food and water. Since they’re not typically afraid of humans, they may even try to come through your pet’s door to see what there is to eat.
The easiest way to tell if you have an infestation is by observing whether there is a nesting site. Start by examining potential nesting sites around your property. Opossums commonly use a variety of areas for their dens, including brush piles, wood piles, spaces under decks and porches, stairwells, and crawl spaces. They often create their nests by collecting and arranging available materials in a makeshift manner. You might find them using sticks, leaves, pillow stuffing, or torn pieces of cloth to build their homes.
A family of opossums might stay in your home for a week or a month, depending on how suitable your home is for their survival.
Final Thoughts
Even though opossums look cute and cuddly, they’re still wild animals. They pose significant risks due to their potential to spread diseases and transmit parasites like fleas and ticks to pets.
While DIY methods can be effective, hiring a professional might be necessary for a more thorough and lasting solution. Whether you choose to handle the situation yourself or seek professional help, making sure your home is safe and pest-free is the ultimate goal.
Addressing an opossum infestation requires a comprehensive approach to eliminate these unwanted guests from your property. Begin by implementing preventive measures to make your home less appealing to opossums. Secure food sources, close off entry points, and don’t neglect yard maintenance to deter these scavengers from settling in. If you discover signs of opossums, such as nesting sites or signs of damage, I recommend you act quickly. Use traps, natural repellents, or consult with professional pest control services to tackle the issue effectively.
Whether you choose to handle the situation yourself or seek professional help, having a safe and pest-free environment for your home remains the ultimate goal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to get rid of opossums?
There are several ways to get rid of opossums. These include trapping, scaring, and repelling them with different methods.
Will an opossum eventually leave?
Opossums are naturally transient and will typically vacate an area on their own within a few weeks.
How do I know if I have an opossum problem?
You may have an opossum problem if you find big, pointed droppings with a yellow or white mold, as well as signs of scratching and paw tracks around your house. Additionally, loud noises at night, such as shrieking or growling, and disappearing pet food can indicate their presence.
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