How To Get Rid Of A Possum In Your House

Hearing strange noises in your attic or discovering overturned trash cans inside your home? You might have an unwanted guest: a possum. While these marsupials might seem harmless, their presence indoors can lead to a host of problems, from unpleasant odors and property damage to the potential spread of diseases. Removing a possum safely and effectively is crucial for protecting your home and the health of your family.

Dealing with a possum in your house can be stressful. They're nocturnal creatures, often making a racket at night, and their droppings can pose a health hazard. Furthermore, simply trying to shoo them out might not work, as they can be surprisingly persistent and even defensive when cornered. It's important to understand the proper steps to take to ensure both your safety and the possum's well-being.

What are the most common questions about possum removal?

What's the safest way to trap a possum inside my house?

The safest way to trap a possum inside your house is to use a live trap baited with fruit or pet food and then release it outside. However, it's often much easier and safer for both you and the possum to simply encourage it to leave on its own by removing its food source and opening a door or window.

While trapping might seem like the most direct solution, it's important to consider the stress it places on the possum. These animals are generally not aggressive and prefer to avoid confrontation. A scared, trapped possum might scratch or bite in self-defense. Before resorting to trapping, eliminate any attractants. Secure pet food, cover garbage cans, and remove fallen fruit from your yard. Then, open a door or window near where the possum is located and leave the area. Give it a quiet, dark escape route. Often, the possum will simply wander out on its own, especially at night when they are naturally active. If the possum doesn't leave on its own, or if you feel uncomfortable dealing with it directly, consider contacting a local wildlife removal service. They have experience handling these situations and can safely trap and relocate the animal, minimizing stress for both you and the possum. Remember, in many areas, it's illegal to trap and relocate wildlife yourself without a permit, so professional assistance might be the best option to ensure you're acting responsibly and legally.

How do I identify a possum infestation versus another animal?

Identifying a possum infestation hinges on recognizing their unique signs: their droppings (similar to cat droppings but often lighter in color), distinct musky odor, the noises they make (hissing, growling, clicking), and their larger size and slow movements compared to rodents. You may also see partially eaten fruits, vegetables, or pet food, and damage to gardens or trash cans.

Possums are significantly larger than rodents like mice or rats, making the noises they create more substantial. While rodents tend to scurry and scratch, possums will often thump around more heavily. Their droppings are also a key identifier; rodent droppings are small and pellet-like, while possum droppings are larger, more formed, and often found in piles. Furthermore, the smell associated with a possum infestation is quite distinctive – a musty, strong, and unpleasant odor that lingers. This is different from the urine smell often associated with rodents. Beyond the obvious size difference and noise levels, consider the typical pathways of entry. Possums, being larger, require bigger openings than mice or rats. They often enter through damaged roofs, open chimneys, or unsecured pet doors. Rodents, on the other hand, can squeeze through incredibly small cracks and holes. Finally, direct observation is often the most reliable method. If you see a grayish-white, cat-sized animal with a pointed snout and a prehensile tail in or around your house, it's almost certainly a possum.

What smells deter possums without harming them?

Possums are generally deterred by strong, unpleasant odors that disrupt their sense of smell and make an area undesirable. Common, humane possum deterrent scents include ammonia, mothballs, garlic, and strong spices like chili powder or cayenne pepper. These scents don't harm the possums but encourage them to seek shelter elsewhere.

Possums rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food and safe places to live. Disrupting this sense with offensive smells can effectively drive them away. Ammonia, in particular, mimics the scent of predator urine, signaling danger to the possum. Mothballs release naphthalene, a strong-smelling chemical that many animals find repellent. Garlic, whether in crushed form or as garlic powder, emits a pungent odor that possums typically avoid. When using these deterrents, focus on areas where you've seen possum activity, such as entry points, under decks, or near food sources. Reapply the scents regularly, especially after rain, to maintain their effectiveness. Remember that while these methods are generally successful, some possums might be more persistent than others, requiring a combination of deterrents or other humane removal strategies. Never use poison or traps that could injure or kill the possum.

How can I seal up entry points to prevent future possum intrusions?

To effectively prevent future possum intrusions, meticulously inspect your home's exterior and seal any potential entry points. This includes gaps in siding, holes in the roof, uncapped chimneys, spaces under decks, and openings around pipes and vents. Use durable materials like heavy-duty wire mesh, sheet metal, expanding foam, and cement to create a physical barrier that possums cannot penetrate.

Once you've evicted a possum, the key to preventing a repeat performance is thorough exclusion. Possums are adept at finding and exploiting even small openings. Start by walking the perimeter of your house and carefully examining the foundation, roofline, and any areas where different building materials meet. Look for cracks, holes, and gaps, paying special attention to areas where pipes enter the house, around dryer vents, and under porches. For smaller holes, expanding foam can be effective, but remember that possums can sometimes chew through it, especially if it's easily accessible. For larger gaps or areas prone to chewing, use heavy-duty wire mesh (hardware cloth) with a small mesh size (around ¼ inch) secured with screws or nails. Secure it firmly to prevent the possum from pulling it loose. Consider these specific problem areas:

What should I do if a possum is aggressive or injured?

If a possum is acting aggressively (hissing, showing teeth, or attempting to bite) or appears injured, do not approach it. Your safety is paramount; immediately contact your local animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They are equipped and trained to handle potentially dangerous or distressed animals safely and humanely.

Aggressive behavior in a possum is rare, as they typically play dead when threatened. If a possum is behaving aggressively, it may be feeling cornered, protecting young, or possibly be rabid (though this is extremely rare in possums due to their low body temperature). Under no circumstances should you attempt to handle or capture an aggressive possum yourself. Approaching a distressed or injured animal can result in serious bites or scratches, potentially exposing you to disease. Animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator will assess the situation, determine the best course of action, and safely remove the possum. If the possum is injured, the rehabilitator will provide appropriate medical care. Remember that wildlife laws often protect possums, and improper handling can lead to legal repercussions. Let the professionals handle it.

Will animal control remove a possum from my home?

Generally, animal control will only remove a possum from your home if it's injured, sick, or posing an immediate threat to people or pets. They typically don't provide removal services for healthy possums simply residing on your property, as their primary focus is on public safety and animal welfare emergencies.

Most animal control agencies are equipped to handle situations where an animal presents a direct danger, such as a bite risk or suspected rabies exposure. However, a healthy possum that has simply wandered into your house is not usually considered an emergency that warrants their intervention. They often lack the resources and personnel for routine wildlife removal. In these cases, they will likely advise you on humane methods to encourage the possum to leave on its own. If animal control is unable to assist, your options include contacting a private wildlife removal service. These professionals are equipped to safely trap and relocate possums, often offering services such as sealing entry points to prevent future intrusions. Another approach is to make your home less attractive to possums. Eliminating food sources like pet food left outdoors, securing trash cans, and trimming overgrown vegetation can discourage them from sticking around. Remember, possums are generally not aggressive and play a valuable role in the ecosystem by consuming insects and rodents, so humane exclusion methods are always preferred.

How long can a possum survive indoors without food or water?

A possum trapped indoors without access to food or water is unlikely to survive for more than a few days, typically 3-5 days depending on its overall health, age, and the ambient temperature. Dehydration will be the primary limiting factor, especially in warmer environments.

Possums have relatively high metabolisms and need consistent access to resources to maintain their energy levels. An adult possum can enter a state of torpor to conserve energy if conditions become unfavorable, but this is not a sustainable long-term survival strategy. Furthermore, a trapped possum is likely experiencing stress, which will further deplete its energy reserves. The lack of water is particularly detrimental, as dehydration quickly weakens the animal, making it more susceptible to illness and ultimately leading to organ failure. Therefore, if you suspect a possum is trapped in your house, prompt action is crucial. Prioritize finding and opening all potential exit points, like doors and windows, especially near where you suspect the possum is located. Leave the area undisturbed to allow the possum to leave on its own, ideally overnight. If the possum does not leave after a reasonable amount of time (24 hours), consider contacting animal control or a wildlife removal service for humane assistance. They possess the expertise and equipment to safely capture and relocate the animal without causing it unnecessary stress or harm.

So there you have it! Hopefully, you’ve managed to evict your unwanted houseguest and can relax knowing your home is possum-free. Thanks for reading, and don’t hesitate to come back for more helpful tips and tricks whenever you need them!