Hearing strange noises in your attic at night? Finding scattered trash or noticing food disappearing from your pet's bowl? You might have an uninvited guest: an opossum. These nocturnal marsupials often seek shelter in homes, especially during colder months, and while they may seem harmless, they can cause significant damage, spread disease, and leave behind unpleasant messes. Sharing your living space with an opossum is not ideal for either of you, and taking swift, humane action is crucial to resolving the situation quickly and safely.
Getting rid of an opossum requires a strategic approach. Simply chasing it out might not be enough, as it could easily return. Understanding their behavior, identifying their entry points, and knowing effective removal techniques are essential for a successful and long-term solution. Ignoring the problem could lead to a larger infestation, increased property damage, and potential health risks for you and your family.
What are the best methods for safely removing an opossum, and how can I prevent them from returning?
What's the quickest way to get an opossum out without harming it?
The quickest and most humane way to remove an opossum from your house is to open all doors and windows leading outside, turn off the lights inside, and leave it alone. Opossums are generally timid creatures and, given the opportunity, will usually find their own way out given a clear, dark escape route. Patience is key; avoid approaching or attempting to herd it, as this can scare it and cause it to hide further.
Opossums often enter homes seeking food or shelter, especially during colder months. Once inside, they may become disoriented or frightened. Creating a calm and inviting exit path is crucial. Turning off the lights makes the outdoors seem more appealing and lessens the opossum's anxiety. Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements that could startle it. If possible, confine pets to another area to prevent them from stressing the opossum or potentially being injured. If the opossum doesn't leave on its own within a reasonable timeframe (several hours), or if you suspect it's injured or trapped, contact a local wildlife removal service. These professionals have the experience and equipment to safely and humanely remove the animal. Never attempt to handle an opossum directly, as they may bite or scratch in self-defense, and while rare, they can carry diseases.How do I identify where the opossum is hiding in my house?
Finding a hiding opossum requires a combination of observation, listening, and strategic searching, focusing on dark, secluded areas within your home, particularly during daylight hours when they are most likely to be inactive.
Start by carefully checking the most common hiding places. These include attics, basements, crawl spaces, and behind or under large appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. Look for signs of their presence such as droppings (similar in size to a small dog's), disturbed insulation, overturned trash cans, or a noticeable musky odor. Listen closely, especially at dawn and dusk, for scratching, rustling, or hissing sounds coming from within walls or ceilings.
If the opossum remains elusive, consider a more methodical approach. Systematically search room by room, paying attention to any areas that offer darkness and seclusion. Use a flashlight to thoroughly inspect inside closets, under furniture, and behind boxes. You might also try sprinkling a thin layer of flour or talcum powder in suspected areas overnight. If the opossum crosses the powder, it will leave tracks that can lead you to its hiding place. Remember to exercise caution and avoid direct contact with the opossum, as they can bite or scratch if they feel threatened.
What scents or sounds deter opossums from my house?
While no scent or sound is guaranteed to completely repel opossums, some homeowners have found success using strong smells like ammonia, mothballs, or predator urine (dog, fox, or coyote) around the perimeter of their property or areas where opossums are suspected. Loud noises, particularly sudden or startling sounds like banging pots and pans or playing recordings of barking dogs, can also temporarily deter them, although opossums are likely to habituate to these noises over time.
Opossums are scavengers driven by hunger and a search for safe shelter. Therefore, focusing on eliminating food sources and entry points is generally more effective than relying solely on repellents. Make sure to secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, remove pet food from outdoor areas, and clear away fallen fruit or nuts from your yard. Addressing these attractants will significantly reduce the likelihood of opossums being drawn to your property in the first place. For longer-term, humane deterrence, consider creating an unwelcome environment. Bright, motion-activated lights can startle opossums, making them feel less secure. Additionally, trimming back bushes and vegetation around your home reduces hiding places. While unpleasant smells like ammonia might offer some temporary relief, remember that these are typically only effective when freshly applied and may require frequent reapplication. Furthermore, be cautious about using mothballs, as they can be toxic to pets and children.What steps should I take to prevent an opossum from returning?
Once you've evicted an opossum, the key to preventing its return is to eliminate the attractants and access points that lured it in initially. This involves securing potential food sources, sealing off entryways into your home or under structures, and making your property less inviting to these opportunistic creatures.
After removing the opossum, conduct a thorough inspection of your property. Look for any holes or cracks in your foundation, walls, roof, or around pipes and vents. Opossums can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so seal even minor gaps with durable materials like metal flashing, hardware cloth, or expanding foam. Pay special attention to areas where different building materials meet, as these are common entry points. Consider installing chimney caps and repairing any damaged screens on windows or vents. Equally important is removing any temptations that might draw opossums back. This includes securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, bringing pet food indoors at night, cleaning up fallen fruit from trees, and removing any potential nesting materials like piles of wood or debris. Consider motion-activated lights as a deterrent, as opossums are nocturnal and may be startled by sudden illumination. Trimming back overgrown bushes and trees can also reduce hiding places and make your property less appealing. By addressing both access points and food sources, you significantly decrease the likelihood of a repeat visit.Is it safe to try and remove an opossum myself, or should I call a professional?
Generally, it is safer and more effective to call a professional wildlife removal service to handle an opossum in your house. While opossums are often docile and not aggressive, they can bite or scratch if they feel threatened. Furthermore, they can carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans and pets. Professionals have the experience, equipment, and training to safely and humanely remove the opossum without risking injury to you or the animal.
Handling wildlife always comes with inherent risks. Opossums, although often perceived as pests, play a vital role in the ecosystem. Direct contact exposes you to potential diseases like leptospirosis and parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, all of which can transmit illnesses. Additionally, inexperienced attempts to trap or remove an opossum could inadvertently harm the animal, potentially violating local wildlife regulations. Many municipalities have specific rules about trapping and relocating wildlife, and a professional will be aware of these regulations and ensure compliance. A qualified wildlife removal specialist will not only remove the opossum but also identify the entry point it used to get into your home and provide advice or services to prevent future infestations. They will also be equipped with the proper protective gear, humane traps, and knowledge of safe handling techniques. This comprehensive approach ensures both your safety and the well-being of the animal.What diseases can opossums carry, and how can I protect myself?
Opossums can carry diseases like leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, and rabies (though rabies is rare). They can also host fleas, ticks, mites, and lice, which transmit other illnesses. Protect yourself by avoiding direct contact with opossums or their droppings, wearing gloves and a mask when cleaning potentially contaminated areas, and ensuring pets are vaccinated and on flea/tick preventative medications.
While opossums are relatively resistant to rabies compared to other mammals, it’s still a possibility, especially if an opossum is acting aggressively or appears unusually sick. More commonly, opossums carry diseases transmissible through their urine, feces, or saliva. Leptospirosis, for example, can be contracted through contact with contaminated water or soil. Because opossums often scavenge for food, they can also spread parasites and bacteria that cause food poisoning. Their role as hosts for fleas and ticks further increases the risk of disease transmission, as these parasites can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other illnesses that affect both humans and pets. To minimize risk, focus on prevention. Keep your property clean by removing potential food sources like pet food left outdoors, fallen fruit, and open garbage cans. Seal any openings in your home's foundation, walls, or roof to prevent opossums from entering. When cleaning areas where opossums may have been present, such as attics or under decks, wear protective gear including gloves, a mask (preferably an N95 respirator), and eye protection. Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Promptly dispose of any dead animals, and contact animal control or a wildlife removal service if you have concerns about an opossum’s behavior or suspect a disease outbreak.How can I seal off potential entry points for opossums?
To effectively seal off potential entry points for opossums, thoroughly inspect the exterior of your house for any holes, cracks, or openings, focusing on areas near the ground, around pipes, under decks, and along the roofline. Use sturdy materials like heavy-duty hardware cloth (wire mesh with openings no larger than 1/4 inch), sheet metal, caulk, expanding foam, or cement to permanently block these access points. Remember that opossums can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces, so be meticulous.
After removing an opossum from your home, a comprehensive inspection is crucial. Pay close attention to the following common entry points: gaps in siding, holes around plumbing or electrical conduits, uncapped chimneys, loose foundation vents, spaces under porches or decks, and damaged or missing screens on windows and vents. Don't forget to check the roof for damaged shingles or soffits, as opossums are adept climbers. Once you've identified potential entries, choose the appropriate sealing method for each location. For small cracks, caulk or expanding foam works well. Larger holes may require patching with hardware cloth secured with screws or nails. Replace damaged screens or vents, and consider installing chimney caps to prevent future access. For areas under decks or porches, consider burying hardware cloth to prevent digging. Regularly inspect these sealed areas, particularly after harsh weather, to ensure their integrity and prevent opportunistic opossums from finding new ways inside.Well, that's the gist of it! Dealing with an opossum in the house can be a bit unnerving, but with a little patience and these tips, you should be able to guide your unexpected guest safely back outside. Thanks for reading, and we hope this helps! Feel free to come back anytime you need a little critter-control advice.