Finding an unexpected animal visitor on your property can be unsettling. When that visitor is an opossum, you might have questions about what to do next. While they are a unique part of North America’s wildlife, having one take up residence in your home can lead to a series of problems for homeowners.
An opossum in your yard isn’t just a fleeting sight; it can become a persistent issue, leading to property damage and potential health risks. These animals are skilled scavengers and may rummage through trash, disturb gardens, and create nests in inconvenient places like attics, sheds, or under decks.
This guide will walk you through understanding these creatures, identifying their presence, and implementing effective opossum prevention strategies to keep your home safe and secure.
Understanding Opossum Behavior
Opossums are North America’s only marsupial, meaning they carry their young in a pouch. Often misunderstood, they are fascinating creatures with behaviors that can bring them into conflict with humans, especially in suburban and rural settings.
Diet
Opossums are omnivores and not particularly picky eaters. Their diet consists of insects, snails, rodents, berries, and even carrion (dead animals). This adaptability is why you might find them raiding your trash cans, compost piles, or pet food bowls left outside.
Habitat
Naturally, opossums are woodland creatures, preferring to live near streams or swamps. However, they have adapted well to human environments. In urban and suburban areas, they seek shelter in attics, garages, sheds, and under porches and decks, where they can find protection from predators and the elements.
Behavior
Opossums are nocturnal, so you’re most likely to spot them from dusk till dawn. They are generally solitary and non-aggressive animals. Their most famous defense mechanism is “playing ‘possum,” where they feign death to deter predators. Despite this passive nature, they can carry diseases and parasites, making direct contact unwise.
In the Midwest, their behavior shifts with the seasons. During winter, they actively seek warm, dry shelters to survive the cold, which is often when they enter homes. Mating season in late winter and early spring can also lead to increased activity and visibility.
Signs You Have an Opossum Problem
Before you can implement opossum control measures, you need to be sure that an opossum is your uninvited guest. Look for these common signs:
- Noises: Listen for scratching, shuffling, or ripping sounds coming from your attic, under your porch, or within your walls, especially at night.
- Damage: Check for torn-up insulation, damaged ductwork, ripped trash bags, or raided bird feeders and gardens.
- Droppings: Opossum droppings are relatively large, similar to those of a small dog, and are often found near their nesting areas.
- Tracks: Opossum tracks are distinctive. They have a five-toed front foot and a four-toed hind foot with a thumb-like inner toe that points away from the others.
- Odors: A strong, unpleasant odor can indicate an opossum’s den, often caused by their droppings or, in unfortunate cases, a deceased animal.
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Effective Opossum Prevention Techniques
The most effective way to handle an opossum issue is to prevent it from happening in the first place. These opossum deterrents and animal proofing strategies make your property less inviting.
Secure Food Sources
- Trash Cans: Use trash cans with secure, locking lids. Store them in a garage or shed if possible.
- Pet Food: Do not leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight.
- Bird Feeders: Keep bird feeder areas clean and use feeders designed to prevent access by larger animals.
- Gardens & Compost: Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables promptly. Use enclosed compost bins.
Block Access to Shelter
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home’s exterior for any holes or gaps. Seal cracks in the foundation, cover vents with sturdy mesh, and repair any damaged siding or roofing. An opening larger than a small coin can be an invitation.
- Secure Decks and Sheds: Install heavy-duty wire mesh around the base of decks, porches, and sheds. Bury the mesh at least 6-12 inches deep to prevent them from digging underneath.
- Trim Trees: Opossums are excellent climbers. Trim tree branches that hang over your roof to remove an easy access route to your attic.
Use Opossum Repellents
While commercial animal repellent products are available, their effectiveness can vary. Some homeowners have success with homemade, non-toxic wildlife repellent applications, while others swear by motion-activated sprinklers or lights, which can startle these nocturnal creatures and encourage them to move on. Natural deterrents like ammonia-soaked rags or garlic can sometimes work, but they often require frequent reapplication.
Safe and Humane Opossum Removal
If prevention fails and/or an opossum has already made a home on your property, it’s important to approach removal humanely and safely. In Virginia, regulations around wildlife control can be specific. Opossum trapping and relocation often requires a permit, and there may be rules about where and how animals can be released.
Given these complexities, DIY trapping is generally not recommended. Incorrectly trapped animals can become stressed or injured and handling them poses a risk to both you and the animal.
When to Call a Professional Wildlife Control Service
Sometimes, an opossum problem is too big or too complex to handle on your own. You should call a professional wildlife control service if:
- An opossum is in a hard-to-reach area like an attic or wall void.
- You suspect there are baby opossums involved. Separating a mother from her young is inhumane and can lead to bigger problems.
- You are uncomfortable with the idea of handling wildlife.
- The opossum appears sick, injured, or aggressive.
Professional services have the training, equipment, and knowledge of local laws to perform opossum removal safely, humanely, and effectively. They can also help identify and seal entry points to prevent future issues.
Final Thoughts
Opossums are a vital part of our ecosystem, but they belong in the wild, not in our homes. By understanding their habits and taking proactive opossum prevention measures, you can protect your property from damage and ensure your family’s safety. Securing food sources, blocking entry points, and making your yard less attractive are the most reliable long-term solutions.
If you already have an opossum issue, remember that professional help is available. A trained expert can resolve the problem while adhering to local regulations and ensuring the well-being of the animal.
Are opossums causing problems at your home? Contact us today for professional and humane opossum removal services in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas. Our experts will assess your property, create a personalized wildlife management plan, and safeguard your home for lasting protection.
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