How to Effectively Get Rid of Possums: A Comprehensive Guide
Possums, also known as opossums, are nocturnal marsupials that often find their way into residential areas in search of food and shelter. While they might seem harmless, possums can cause a variety of problems, including:
* **Damaged Gardens:** They eat fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
* **Disturbed Pets:** They can compete with pets for food and territory, leading to conflicts.
* **Spread of Disease:** Possums can carry diseases like leptospirosis and parasites like fleas and ticks.
* **Noisy Encounters:** Their nocturnal activities can be disruptive, especially when they take up residence in attics or under decks.
* **Unpleasant Odors:** Their droppings and nesting habits can create unpleasant smells.
This comprehensive guide provides detailed steps and instructions on how to safely and effectively get rid of possums and prevent them from returning.
## Understanding Possums and Their Behavior
Before attempting to remove possums, it’s essential to understand their habits and behaviors. This knowledge will help you develop a targeted and effective removal strategy.
* **Nocturnal Nature:** Possums are primarily active at night, which is when they forage for food. Understanding this behavior helps you target your removal and prevention efforts during their active hours.
* **Diet:** Possums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide range of foods. Their diet includes fruits, vegetables, insects, rodents, carrion, and even garbage. This dietary flexibility makes them adaptable to urban environments.
* **Shelter Preferences:** Possums seek shelter in dark, secluded areas, such as attics, under decks, woodpiles, and hollow trees. Identifying and eliminating these potential shelters is crucial for preventing infestations.
* **Breeding Habits:** Possums typically breed twice a year, producing litters of up to 13 young. The young stay with their mother for several months, which means a single possum can quickly lead to a larger population.
* **“Playing Possum”:** This defensive behavior involves feigning death when threatened. While it may seem like a vulnerability, it can make trapping and handling possums more challenging.
## Identifying a Possum Infestation
Recognizing the signs of a possum infestation early is key to addressing the problem before it escalates. Look out for the following indicators:
* **Droppings:** Possum droppings are similar in size and shape to those of a small dog, typically dark brown and cylindrical. They may contain undigested seeds or insect parts.
* **Tracks:** Possum tracks have five toes on each foot, with a distinctive opposable thumb on their hind feet. Their footprints are often found in mud or soft soil.
* **Unusual Noises:** Listen for scratching, rustling, or thumping sounds in your attic, under your deck, or around your property at night.
* **Damaged Gardens:** Check for signs of gnawing on fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Possums are known to strip plants bare.
* **Overturned Garbage Cans:** Possums often raid garbage cans in search of food, leaving a mess in their wake.
* **Pet Food Depletion:** Notice if your pet’s food is disappearing more quickly than usual, especially if you leave it outside.
* **Visual Sightings:** Spotting a possum on your property, especially during the day, is a clear sign of an infestation. Possums are nocturnal, so daytime sightings often indicate a large or established population.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Rid of Possums
Here’s a detailed, step-by-step approach to safely and effectively removing possums from your property:
### Step 1: Eliminate Food Sources
Possums are attracted to areas where food is readily available. Removing these sources is the first and most important step in getting rid of them.
* **Secure Garbage Cans:** Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent possums from accessing your trash. Consider using bungee cords or weights to secure the lids further.
* **Pick Up Fallen Fruit:** Regularly collect fallen fruit from your yard. Rotting fruit is a major attractant for possums and other pests.
* **Store Pet Food Indoors:** Do not leave pet food outside, especially overnight. Store it in airtight containers inside your home or garage.
* **Clean Up Birdseed:** Clean up spilled birdseed around bird feeders. Possums are attracted to birdseed as a food source.
* **Compost Responsibly:** Use a compost bin with a secure lid to prevent possums from accessing food scraps. Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these attract pests.
* **Protect Gardens:** Use fencing or netting to protect your garden from possums. Consider using raised garden beds to make it more difficult for possums to access your plants.
### Step 2: Remove Shelter and Habitat
Possums seek shelter in dark, secluded areas. Eliminating these potential habitats will make your property less attractive to them.
* **Seal Entry Points:** Inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps in siding, holes in the roof, and cracks in the foundation. Seal these openings with caulk, steel wool, or hardware cloth.
* **Trim Overhanging Branches:** Trim overhanging tree branches to prevent possums from using them to access your roof and attic.
* **Clear Undergrowth:** Remove dense vegetation and undergrowth around your property. This will eliminate potential hiding places for possums.
* **Secure Under Decks and Porches:** Use hardware cloth or fencing to block off access to areas under decks and porches. This will prevent possums from nesting in these spaces.
* **Clear Woodpiles:** Store firewood in a secure location away from your home. If you must store it outside, cover it with a tarp and elevate it off the ground to discourage possums from nesting underneath.
* **Close Sheds and Garages:** Keep sheds and garages closed when not in use. These structures provide ideal shelter for possums.
### Step 3: Use Repellents
Repellents can be an effective way to deter possums from your property. There are several types of repellents available, including:
* **Commercial Repellents:** These repellents typically contain ingredients like capsaicin (from chili peppers) or predator urine. Follow the instructions on the product label carefully.
* **Homemade Repellents:** You can make your own possum repellent by mixing hot sauce or cayenne pepper with water and spraying it around your garden and other areas where possums are present. Reapply after rain.
* **Motion-Activated Sprinklers:** These devices emit a sudden burst of water when they detect movement, scaring away possums and other pests.
* **Bright Lights:** Possums are nocturnal animals and are sensitive to bright lights. Install motion-activated lights around your property to deter them.
* **Ammonia-Soaked Rags:** Place ammonia-soaked rags in areas where possums are present, such as under decks or in attics. The strong smell of ammonia will deter them. Replace the rags regularly.
* **Garlic and Onion Spray:** Make a spray by boiling garlic and onions in water. Let it cool, then spray around plants and areas where possums frequent.
### Step 4: Trapping and Relocation (If Necessary)
If other methods fail, trapping and relocating possums may be necessary. However, it’s crucial to check your local laws and regulations regarding trapping and relocation, as it may be restricted or require a permit.
* **Choose the Right Trap:** Use a humane live trap that is large enough to comfortably accommodate a possum. A trap measuring approximately 32x12x10 inches is generally sufficient.
* **Bait the Trap:** Use bait that is attractive to possums, such as fruit (apples, bananas, grapes), vegetables (corn, carrots), or pet food. Place the bait in the back of the trap to encourage the possum to enter fully.
* **Set the Trap:** Place the trap in an area where you have seen possums or where you suspect they are active. Camouflage the trap with leaves or branches to make it less conspicuous.
* **Check the Trap Regularly:** Check the trap at least once a day, preferably in the morning. Possums can become stressed or dehydrated if left in the trap for too long.
* **Handle with Care:** Wear heavy gloves when handling the trap to avoid being bitten or scratched by the possum. Approach the trap calmly and quietly to minimize stress to the animal.
* **Relocate the Possum:** Release the possum in a suitable habitat at least five miles away from your property. Choose a location with plenty of trees and natural cover, away from residential areas. Ensure that the relocation site is legal and permitted.
**Important Considerations for Trapping:**
* **Legality:** Always check local laws and regulations regarding trapping and relocation of wildlife.
* **Humane Treatment:** Ensure that the trap is humane and does not cause unnecessary harm to the possum.
* **Weather Conditions:** Avoid trapping during extreme weather conditions, such as heat waves or cold snaps.
* **Pregnant or Nursing Females:** If you trap a female possum with young, release her immediately. Separating a mother from her young can be detrimental to their survival.
### Step 5: Professional Pest Control
If you are unable to get rid of possums on your own, or if you are uncomfortable handling them, consider hiring a professional pest control company. Pest control professionals have the experience, knowledge, and equipment to safely and effectively remove possums from your property.
* **Research and Select a Reputable Company:** Look for a pest control company with experience in wildlife removal and a good reputation. Check online reviews and ask for references.
* **Discuss the Problem and Solutions:** Explain the extent of the possum infestation and the steps you have already taken to address it. Ask the pest control professional about their proposed solutions and methods.
* **Ensure Humane Practices:** Inquire about the company’s approach to wildlife removal. Make sure they use humane trapping and relocation methods.
* **Get a Written Estimate:** Obtain a written estimate for the cost of the service. Be sure to clarify what is included in the estimate and whether there are any additional fees.
* **Follow Up:** After the pest control service is completed, follow up with the company to ensure that the problem has been resolved and to ask about preventative measures.
## Preventing Possums from Returning
Once you have successfully removed possums from your property, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from returning. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
* **Maintain a Clean Yard:** Keep your yard free of debris, fallen fruit, and other potential food sources. Regularly mow your lawn and trim shrubs and bushes.
* **Secure Your Home:** Seal any cracks or openings in your home’s foundation, walls, and roof. Install screens on windows and vents to prevent possums from entering.
* **Use Motion-Activated Lights:** Install motion-activated lights around your property to deter possums from approaching.
* **Continue Using Repellents:** Continue using repellents, such as commercial repellents or homemade sprays, to discourage possums from returning.
* **Monitor Your Property:** Regularly inspect your property for signs of possum activity. Early detection is key to preventing a re-infestation.
* **Educate Your Neighbors:** Share information about possum prevention with your neighbors. A community-wide effort is more effective than individual efforts.
## Other Considerations
* **Possums and Pets:** If you have pets, take precautions to protect them from possums. Keep pet food indoors and supervise your pets when they are outside, especially at night.
* **Possums and Disease:** While possums are generally not aggressive, they can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans and pets. Avoid direct contact with possums and their droppings. Wash your hands thoroughly after working in your yard or garden.
* **Possums and the Ecosystem:** Possums play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling insect and rodent populations. Consider whether you can coexist with possums on your property before attempting to remove them.
* **Orphaned Possums:** If you find an orphaned possum, do not attempt to care for it yourself. Contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
## Conclusion
Getting rid of possums requires a combination of strategies, including eliminating food sources, removing shelter, using repellents, and, if necessary, trapping and relocation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively remove possums from your property and prevent them from returning. Remember to prioritize humane treatment and to check local regulations regarding wildlife removal. If you are unsure about any aspect of possum removal, consult with a professional pest control company for assistance.