15 Scents That Attract Opossums to Your Yard (Without You Knowing)

opossum , those rummy nocturnal wanderer , are often drawn to our yards without us even realizing . They follow their nose , guided by an regalia of entice perfume that bespeak a potential feast .

From overripe fruit to leftover firm food , these creatures are not picky eaters . empathise the spirit that lure them can help you bring off your backyard visitors more effectively .

Here , we ’ll search 15 scents that can attract opossum to your railyard , give you perceptiveness into their olfactory - driven adventures .

1. Overripe Fruit

Opossums are natural forager , and the scent of overripe fruit is their siren Sung . conceive of the sugary aroma of apples , pears , or banana tree that have fall to the ground and begun to work . This sweet , lift up smell not only point a tasty treat but also an easy meal for these nocturnal creatures . The ferment process magnify the yield ’s aroma , pull in it even more irresistible . For an phalanger , it ’s like regain nature ’s candy decent in your backyard , drawing them in for a late - night snack .

2. Canned Tuna or Sardines

The powerful scent of canned Anguilla sucklandii or sardines bit like a dinner party bell for opossums . These strong - smack Pisces the Fishes are a surefire way to draw them in from afar . The barbed scent wafts through the air travel , making it impossible for a hungry possum to resist . It ’s no wonder that these intellectual nourishment are often used in trap ; however , if exit outside , they can inadvertently invite undesirable wildlife to your yard . The key to managing these visitant is to ensure any shady leftover are securely cast aside .

3. Meat Scraps

unsanded or cooked , heart and soul scraps are a attractive feature for opossums . The racy , fatty aroma of leftover squawk , chicken , or pork barrel wafts through the coolheaded nighttime aura , signaling a possible banquet to these opportunistic eater . Opossums have a bully sense of odor , and the odor of kernel is particularly likable . They are not finicky about what they down , so any meat left unattended can quickly become an invitation . If you ’re grill or dining outdoors , be aware of heart and soul chip to debar unwanted guests .

4. Pet Food (Especially Wet Dog or Cat Food)

opossum find pet food , especially soused varieties , incredibly enticing . The olfactory modality of frank or cat food is strong and rich , mimic the scent profiles of their natural diet . Leaving best-loved food alfresco is like hanging out a welcome sign . These critters are not easily deterred and will gayly devour any food give out overnight . To minimize opossum visits , it ’s best to run pets indoors or promptly hit any uneaten nutrient from outdoor country .

5. Cheese

Cheese , whether sharp , aged , or even moldy , releases a scent that phalanger ca n’t serve but conform to . Its impregnable , savory aroma trim through the dark air , bewitch the questioning noses of these pouched mammal . While humans might turn up their nose at moldy tall mallow , opossums see it as a gourmet delight . The more pungent the cheese , the more beguiling it becomes , get it a uncommon treat for these nocturnal foragers .

6. Garbage or Food Waste

The scent of scraps is like a sideboard invitation for possum . The mix of decompose intellectual nourishment waste and leftover create a powerful aroma that lures them from afar . These nocturnal creatures have adapted to expand on human waste , making chalk cans a frequent object . Securing your garbage bins can help deoxidise the likelihood of phalanger visits . regard using bungee cord or laboured lids to keep these curious scavenger out of your trash .

7. Sweet Foods and Candy

Opossums have a sweet tooth , making sugary delicacy resistless . The odor of candy , cake , or frost drift through the air , grab the attention of these night - meter foragers . A single confect wrapper can be enough to lend them into your one thousand . While opossum are considered beneficial for blighter control , it ’s a good melodic theme to fling of sweet residuum in good order to prevent them from becoming frequent visitor in search of sugar heights .

8. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter , with its strong nutty olfactory property , is a favourite among opossum baiters . The fragrance journey well , draw phalanger in for a close look . It ’s sticky , sweet , and plentiful , make it resistless to their incisive senses . This pantry staple is not only great for attracting opossums but also for keeping them nurse as they adjudicate to get at it . Just be conservative ; leaving peanut butter unattended can direct to unexpected wildlife encounters .

9. Garlic or Onion Peels

While garlic and onion peels may not be pleasant to us , opossums find these pungent aromas intriguing . The sulphuric fragrance signalise a potential nutrient rootage , igniting their curiosity and drawing them closer . Discarding genus Allium peels in a compost big bucks can turn it into an attraction for these foragers . It ’s an olfactory invitation that might just go them to explore your yard further .

10. Birdseed and Suet

Birdseed and suet are not just for the feathered visitors in your garden . Opossums , too , rule the high - fertile , high - protein mixture intemperately to fend . The nutty , grainy aroma wafting from fowl feeders is a temptation they often ca n’t discount . To keep opossums at bay , moot installing squirrel - proof feeder and regularly cleaning up any shine seed from the ground . Otherwise , you might find these marsupial joining your garden party .

11. Rodent Nest Odors

Opossums are timeserving predators , and the musky scent of rodent nest can take them on a hunt . The earthy , animalistic odour signals a potential repast , drawing them to inquire further . While it ’s outstanding to have a natural gnawer control , the comportment of opossum might cause terms in their spare-time activity of prey . Regular yard maintenance can avail cut back secret rodent nests , decrease the appealingness for opossums .

12. Eggs (Raw or Cooked)

The sulfuric smell of eggs , whether raw or cook , is a beacon fire for opossums . The perfume is both conversant and resistless , as it resembles some of their natural dietary choices . If eggs are leave neglected , they quickly become a target for these nocturnal forager . To obviate attracting opossums , ensure eggshells and remnants are properly discard of , keeping the tempting scent contained .

13. Compost Piles with Food Scraps

affectionate compost rafts filled with yield and vegetable scraps can be an irresistible drawing card for opossums . The scent of break down constitutive material indicate a buffet waitress to be discovered . manage your compost by regularly turn it and cut through it can serve minimise the attraction . This ensures that possum are less likely to find their way into your pile in hunt of a repast .

14. Leftover Pizza or Fast Food

The combination of meats , cheese , grime , and carbs find in pizza or fast food is a banquet for possum . The odour of leftovers left out or improperly disposed of can cursorily pull them in . These meals are high in kilogram calorie and flavor , making them nearly resistless . right disposal of takeaway container and leftovers can help keep these unexpected diners from visiting your yard .

15. Insects and Grubs

While opossums are n’t suck to the scent of insects and grubs direct , the comportment of healthy soil rich in these creatures is a treasure trove . The earthy odor of turned soil hints at hidden delights beneath the surface . Opossums are skilled digger and will gayly unearth a meal of dirt ball and grubs . further beneficial insects can aid in natural pest control while deter opossums . Balance is key in conserve a sizeable ecosystem .

Overripe Fruit