How To Get Rid Of A Opossum

Ever woken up to a rustling in your trash cans, only to find a beady-eyed critter staring back at you? Opossums, while generally harmless, can become a nuisance around your property. They might raid your garbage, eat your pet food, or even den under your porch. Dealing with these nocturnal visitors requires understanding their habits and implementing humane and effective removal strategies.

The presence of opossums can be more than just an inconvenience; they can spread parasites, damage your garden, and frighten pets. Learning how to safely and responsibly deter them is essential for maintaining a clean and peaceful home environment. This guide provides practical advice to help you reclaim your space and prevent future opossum encounters, ensuring the well-being of your property and the safety of these often-misunderstood animals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Opossum Removal?

What's the most humane way to get rid of an opossum?

The most humane way to get rid of an opossum is through exclusion. This involves making your property unattractive and inaccessible to them, encouraging them to relocate on their own without direct confrontation or harm. This approach focuses on preventative measures and minimizing stress on the animal.

Exclusion strategies are preferred because trapping and relocation, while seemingly humane, often lead to the opossum's death. Opossums are territorial and familiar with their foraging areas; moving them to unfamiliar environments disrupts their ability to find food and shelter, making them vulnerable to predators and starvation. Furthermore, relocation may simply open up your property to a new opossum seeking a habitat. Here are several methods to humanely encourage an opossum to leave your property:

How can I prevent opossums from coming back to my yard?

The best way to prevent opossums from returning to your yard is to eliminate the attractants that initially drew them in, focusing on removing food sources, securing potential shelter, and implementing deterrents to make your property less inviting.

Eliminating food sources is paramount. Opossums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they'll eat just about anything. Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and consider using bungee cords or weights to keep them closed. Bring pet food indoors at night, clean up fallen fruit from trees, and remove bird feeders (or use squirrel-proof feeders and clean up spilled seed regularly). Compost piles should be contained in a securely enclosed bin. Addressing these food sources will significantly reduce the opossum's incentive to visit your yard. Next, focus on securing potential shelter. Opossums often seek out dark, secluded places to den. Seal any openings under decks, sheds, or porches. Trim overgrown bushes and trees to eliminate potential hiding spots. Consider installing fencing around your yard, paying particular attention to gaps at the bottom where opossums could squeeze through. If you have a woodpile, store it away from the house and off the ground. Finally, consider using deterrents. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle opossums and discourage them from returning. Some people find success with opossum-repellent sprays, but their effectiveness can vary. Regularly changing the environment in your yard, such as rearranging garden furniture or moving potted plants, can also make it less appealing to opossums seeking a consistent habitat.

What kind of traps are effective for catching opossums?

Live traps, specifically those designed for raccoons or similar-sized animals, are the most effective and humane option for catching opossums. These traps should be sturdy, with dimensions of at least 10x12x30 inches, and baited appropriately to lure the opossum inside without causing harm.

The effectiveness of a live trap hinges on several factors. First, selecting the right bait is crucial. Opossums are omnivores with a sweet tooth, so options like fruit (apples, grapes, bananas), marshmallows, or even canned pet food often work well. Placing the bait at the back of the trap encourages the opossum to fully enter, triggering the closing mechanism. Second, the trap's location is important. Opossums prefer sheltered areas, so setting the trap near fences, sheds, woodpiles, or under decks increases the likelihood of success. Consider using a trail of bait leading to the entrance of the trap to further entice the opossum.

Beyond the type of trap and bait, consider the environment. Ensure the trap is stable and placed on a level surface to prevent it from tipping over. Regularly check the trap, ideally at least once in the morning and once in the evening, to minimize the time an opossum spends confined. This is crucial for the animal’s well-being and to comply with local regulations which may have mandatory check intervals. Once trapped, contact your local animal control or wildlife relocation services for instructions on what to do with the opossum. Relocating the animal yourself might be illegal or detrimental to both the animal and the ecosystem.

Are there any repellents that actually work to deter opossums?

While numerous commercial and homemade repellents are marketed for opossums, their effectiveness is often limited and inconsistent. No single repellent guarantees complete opossum deterrence, and results can vary depending on the opossum's motivation (e.g., hunger, shelter-seeking), the environment, and application frequency. However, some methods show promise when used strategically as part of a larger integrated approach to wildlife management.

The key to successfully deterring opossums lies in understanding their habits and targeting their senses. Opossums are primarily nocturnal scavengers, relying heavily on their sense of smell. Therefore, repellents that disrupt their ability to locate food sources or make an area less appealing can be somewhat effective. Strong odors like ammonia, garlic, or hot pepper spray may temporarily deter them, especially when applied around garbage cans, gardens, or entry points to structures. However, these odors dissipate quickly and require frequent reapplication, particularly after rain. Another tactic involves using motion-activated sprinklers or lights. Opossums are generally timid and easily startled. A sudden burst of water or bright light can frighten them away, discouraging them from returning. These methods are most effective in open areas where the opossum has a clear escape route. It's important to note that opossums may eventually habituate to these deterrents, especially if they are highly motivated to access a food source or shelter. Therefore, rotating repellents and employing multiple strategies simultaneously will yield the best results.

Should I be worried about diseases from an opossum in my yard?

While opossums can carry diseases and parasites, the risk of transmission to humans or pets is generally low. Opossums are quite resistant to rabies and are more likely to play dead than attack. However, caution is still warranted. Direct contact should always be avoided, and preventative measures should be taken to minimize risks of diseases that *can* be transmitted.

Opossums can carry fleas, ticks, mites, and lice, which can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others. Their feces can also contain Leptospirosis and, less frequently, Salmonella. While they are relatively resistant to rabies, it is still possible, although statistically unlikely, for them to carry and transmit it. The primary concern is not the opossum itself, but the parasites they host and the potential for contamination through their droppings. To minimize risks, avoid direct contact with opossums, do not attempt to feed or handle them, and keep pets away from them. Always wear gloves when cleaning up opossum droppings and disinfect the area thoroughly. Effective flea and tick prevention for your pets is also crucial. If you suspect your pet has been in contact with an opossum or is showing signs of illness, consult your veterinarian immediately.

How to Get Rid of an Opossum

The best approach to "getting rid" of an opossum is to make your property less attractive to them, rather than attempting to trap or harm them. Opossums are beneficial scavengers, helping to control insect and rodent populations; therefore, humane deterrence is the most responsible method. They are also transient creatures and usually move on in a few days.

The most effective strategies involve removing sources of food and shelter. Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and regularly clean up any spilled food or fallen fruit in your yard. Bring pet food indoors at night and avoid leaving out water sources. Seal any openings in your foundation, under porches, or sheds that could serve as a den. Trimming overgrown shrubs and trees reduces hiding places. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can also deter them. If an opossum has taken up residence in a specific location, such as under a deck, you can try harassment techniques. Place a bright light and a radio playing loudly near the den entrance to encourage them to move on. Sprinkle ammonia-soaked rags around the area (but away from areas accessible to children or pets), as the smell is unpleasant to opossums. After a few days of harassment, and confirming the opossum is gone (you can lightly block the entrance with loose material like leaves and see if it’s disturbed overnight), permanently seal the entrance to prevent future occupancy. Note: Relocating opossums is generally discouraged, as it can be stressful for the animal and may introduce disease into new areas. It is also often illegal, so check your local regulations. Focusing on making your property uninviting is the most humane and effective long-term solution.

What should I do if I find baby opossums without their mother?

If you find baby opossums without their mother, your first and most crucial step is to determine if they truly need help. Observe them from a safe distance for an extended period (at least 24 hours) to see if the mother returns. The mother opossum may be out foraging for food and will likely return to retrieve her young. Do not interfere immediately, as the babies have the best chance of survival with their mother.

Baby opossums are often found after the mother has been hit by a car or otherwise displaced. If the mother is clearly deceased or hasn't returned after a full day, intervention is necessary. If the babies are pink, hairless, or very small (less than 7 inches from nose to tail), they are highly vulnerable and require immediate professional care. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or animal rescue organization in your area as soon as possible. These professionals have the expertise and resources to properly care for orphaned opossums, providing them with the necessary nutrition, medical attention, and environment to survive and eventually be released back into the wild. When contacting a rehabilitator, provide as much information as possible about the situation, including the location where the babies were found, their approximate size and condition, and how long they have been without their mother. While waiting for assistance, you can gently place the babies in a cardboard box lined with soft towels or blankets, and keep them warm in a quiet, dark place. Do not attempt to feed them, as improper feeding can be harmful. The wildlife rehabilitator will give you further instructions on how to best care for the opossums until they can take them in.

Is it legal to trap and relocate opossums in my area?

The legality of trapping and relocating opossums varies significantly depending on your specific location and local wildlife regulations. It's crucial to consult your state's Department of Natural Resources (or equivalent agency) or your local animal control office to determine the permitted practices regarding opossums.

Many jurisdictions prohibit the relocation of wildlife, including opossums, for several reasons. Relocated animals often struggle to survive in unfamiliar environments due to competition for resources, lack of established territory, and inability to find suitable shelter. This can lead to starvation or increased vulnerability to predators. Furthermore, relocating an opossum can potentially spread diseases to new areas. Even if relocation is legal, consider the ethical implications. Often, the best approach is to focus on humane exclusion techniques that encourage the opossum to leave on its own without causing harm. These methods may involve removing food sources (pet food, fallen fruit), securing garbage cans, and blocking access points to under decks, sheds, or other structures where they might be sheltering. You can also try deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or bright lights. If you are unsure, consider contacting a professional wildlife removal service.

And that's about it! Hopefully, these tips help you humanely and effectively evict your opossum guest. Thanks for reading, and good luck! Feel free to pop back anytime you have more critter conundrums - we're always here to help!