Prevent infestation with Opossums

prevent infestation with opossums didelphimorphia

Opossums are one of the most unmistakable animals in North America as they are the only marsupial that lives on the North American continent. While opossums were once native only to South America, they are now a common sight all throughout the Eastern and Southern states of the United States. Opossums are most easily recognizable by their snow white faces, brown/black body and long hairless pink tail. This tail is prehensile and you can often see the opossum carrying food with its tail or hanging from a tree with its tail. Opossums are considered an invasive species because they are not native to this land; however they are more commonly considered a nuisance by those who have opossums living nearby. Possums are usually non-aggressive animals, but they can create unsanitary conditions and may turn aggressive if they become diseased.

prevent infestation with opossums didelphimorphia

Possums, also known as opossums (Didelphis virginiana), can decimate your garden, especially your vegetables and fruit-bearing plants. These cat-sized omnivores eat everything from fruits and veggies to snails and birds. Although the marsupials are generally harmless, you can keep them away from your plants with nontoxic repellents, physical barriers and harmless scare devices.

Opossums are pests because they will do and break into almost anything to score their next meal. Once an opossum learns that you have good food at your house, you can be certain that it will return on a daily basis to cause havoc on your yard and house. Possums can make terrible messes in your yard when your trash cans are not secured. They will also make a meal of any vegetables or fruits that you have growing in your garden and will eat up all your pets’ food if it is left outside. Their droppings can contain parasites that your pets might eat. These critters will also set up their new home in your home by chewing through the exterior of your house to get into your walls, garage, shed, attic, etc. Once opossums have invaded your home, they can do considerable damage by chewing through wood and drywall, gnawing on electrical wiring and rep up all the insulation in your house. Opossums often will die inside your house creating a biohazard to you and your family. Try some of the do-it-yourself tips to keep away opossums.

How to keep opossums away

  •   Simple scare tactics by setting up motion activated lights or sprinklers

Place these devices near the perimeter of your house, at the front of your house, around fruit trees, or any other spots where possums frequent. Motion-activated devices are triggered once the possum crosses the sensor, and once these devices turn on, they may frighten many possums away. Motion-activated sprinklers tend to be slightly more effective than motion-activated lights. Lights are enough to frighten away skittish possums that are afraid of humans, but water sprinklers work better with possums that are a little more mature and a little harder to startle.

  • Scatter dog or cat fur

The smell of a potential predator might be enough to deter many possums from hanging around. Do not let your dog or cat roam free through the yard for the purpose of scaring away possums. They could get into a fight with aggressive possums or other dangerous animals. Collect pet hair after brushing your dog or cat. Place the hair in small mesh bags and hang them or scatter them around areas at which possums frequently gather.

  • Scatter something that smells potent

Ammonia, mothballs, and garlic are all scents that possums tend to flee from. Pour a small amount of ammonia into a coffee can with a lid. Place a rag inside the ammonia and bring one end up through a hole cut into the lid. The rag will act as a wick to disperse the fumes. Place one of these containers in every area where possums gather. Scatter mothballs around any area where you have noticed possum activity. You can contain the mothballs in a mesh bag, or you can scatter them around individually. Place a clove of crushed garlic in any area that you want neighborhood possums to avoid. Crushed garlic is better than whole garlic since crushing it first allows more of the scent to escape.

  • Taste and Smell Deterrents

Repel possums by sprinkling a bit of chili powder around your plants. Don’t forget to mix the powder with any birdseed that you have in feeders around your yard. The powder is harmless to birds, which aren’t put off by the spicy flavor, and will taste unpleasant to any possums attracted to the feeders.

  • Other easy techniques worth mentioning

Tie helium balloons around your yard to sway in the wind and startle the possums away. Place pinwheels, found in party supply stores, in the soil around your plants. The pinwheels will spin in the wind and scare the opossums away. You can also set up an oscillating fan in your garden with an extension cord. Tie a few ribbons to the fan so that they stream out when the fan is running. The sight and sound of the fan should scare the possums away. A portable radio left on, in your yard, will also scare away the opossums.

Make the area less inviting

  • Remove food sources

Possums are attracted to yards and homes where food is plentiful. By removing food sources, you will make your property dramatically less appealing. Do not intentionally provide food for the possums. You may think that you are doing a good deed, but possums fed by humans gradually lose their fear of humans and are more likely to become aggressive when food is not given to them.

Prevent possums from getting into your trash. Keep the lid of your garbage cans closed by securing it with bungee cords, chains, ropes, or weights. You could also by garbage cans with lids that have clamps to keep them on. Securing side handles to stakes driven into the ground will prevent the trash bins from tipping over.

Feed your pets indoors. If this is not possible, feed your pets outdoors in the late morning or middle of the afternoon. Remove all sources of food and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house.

Keep food in secure compost containers. Do not use open compost piles. Instead, keep the compost in covered compost structures or covered worm boxes. Clean barbecue grills and grease traps after you use them. Pick up fruit that drops from trees or bushes. Better yet, avoid having plants that produce appetizing fruit. Avoid laying out bird seed. If you do provide bird seed, try to lay some out in the late morning or mid-afternoon and only spread enough to feed the birds for that single day. Alternatively, fill bird feeders with seed and transfer them inside each night at dusk.

  • Clean your garden thoroughly

Even though possums will not make dens in outdoor covering, they may find it an appealing place to hide. Make sure you mow tall grass, especially the one located around houses and buildings. Also, remove piles of wood, grass clippings, or other debris. This also includes items like overturned planters or barrels.

  • Trim tree branches

Possums can sneak onto the roof if tree branches or other tall plants are positioned nearby. Tree branches should be trimmed a minimum of 10 ft (3.05 m) away from the roof. Do not place climbing plants near the house, especially not near the eaves areas.

  • Protect low decks

Possums have been known to hide out under low decks, so these should also be protected with some form of metal barrier. Use 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) grid screening or solid metal flashing. Dig a trench around the perimeter of the deck. The hole should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep. Place the screening or flashing in the trench. The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the bottom or underside of the deck. Fill the trench in with dirt, packing it down in place to prevent the screening from being jolted or wiggled around. Attach the top of the screening to the deck. Nails or fence post staples usually work best.

  • Seal any other open spaces

Your home may have other open spaces that will appear inviting to a possum looking for a warm home or a free meal. Attic vents and chimneys should be covered with 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) grid screening. You could also use insect screening over the vents or you have a chimney cap installed. Repair any holes in deck lattices, window screens, or door screens. If you live in a mobile home, cover the open space below the home with wire cloth. Make sure that the barrier extends from the ground all the way up to the bottom of the trailer. Cement block and wood lattice can also be used. Lock or cover pet doors at night.

  • Cover your foundation vents

One of the easiest ways for possums to sneak into your home is through the dryer vent or other vents along the foundation. Block possums from sneaking in through these openings by covering them with slotted metal vent covers. These covers are screwed onto the vent and have just enough room for steam and smoke to escape but not enough for possums to sneak through.

Set traps

Place the traps in the possum’s path. Setting it near the suspected den is ideal, but any area that frequently suffers damage due to a possum is an acceptable location to choose. Sit the trap on soft ground or place it on plywood if setting it on a hard surface. The trapped possum may attempt to dig its way out, and placing the trap on a protective surface will prevent it from damaging its paws.

For more information about setting traps for possums, please read our following article: How to get rid of Opossums.

Got a question?

    1. Hello. In case of lacking other food sources, opossums can also attack and eat chickens.

      Nexles -
      Answer

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