get hold out how to get free of opossum using wildlife - friendly method .
Possums , more correctly called opossums , are nocturnal critters that scavenge for dirt ball , small rodents , and plant topic . But they also have a taste foropen compost piles , rubbish bins , and the occasional garden plant , which may motivate you to need to know how to get rid of possums in your yard . This guide will help you recognize opossum presence , and provides several humanist methods for discourage these mammals . Plus you ’ll find a few reasons why opossum may be helpful in your garden .
Possum vs. Opossum
The price “ possum ” and “ possum ” are often used interchangeably to concern to the North American opossum(Didelphimorphia ) , a marsupial that ’s easily recognized by its pointed nozzle , gray - brown fur , and hairless , prehensile tail assembly . However , “ possum ” can also refer to a marsupial that ’s native to Australia , New Guinea , and the surrounding region . While possums and phalanger are both omnivorous scavengers , Australian possums(Phalangeridae)are smaller animals with bushy tail end and rounded noses .
Garden Opossums: Friend or Foe?
Some pests do a lot of injury to works , but opossums often benefit lawn and gardens . Although opossums occasionally nibble on garden plants andfallen fruit in backyard orchards , these critter are usually more concerned in junket on acorns , old , rotting plant material , carrion , andpests like deadly Hydra , belittled rodents , tick , beetles , slugs , snails , cricket , cockroach , andlawn grubs . Opossums are also usually non - strong-growing creature , and their humbled body temperature makes them naturally resistant to rabies .
Whether you choose to stomach backyard opossums is up to you , but if they are n’t doing serious damage or harming your plants , you may want to forget them be . Like nature ’s cleanup crew , opossums reduce thousand waste and avail keep your garden gadfly - free .
erniedecker/ Getty Images
Credit:erniedecker/ Getty Images
Signs of Opossum Activity
opossum are slow - moving , quiet animals that come out after dark , so you may never see them roaming on your property . Even if you do n’t see opossums at work , these signs can lease you know they ’re around :
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Opossums
Although opossums can helpcontrol garden pesterer , not everyone enjoy having an opossum in the garden . If undesirable opossums have cease by your infinite , here are a few wildlife - friendly ways to discourage them and avoid costly bill from a pest removal company .
1. Remove Food Sources
Opossums linger in area with lots of easy food , so if you do n’t need these animals to last out in your yard or garden , a cleanup may be in order . To begin , run down up windfallen yield beneath fruit trees , secure compost in a closed bin , and keep garbage in a stout container with a locking eyelid .
If you feed pets or livestock alfresco , store pet food in lidded containers , and considerputting your chick feedersaway until the phalanger have left the area . You may also require touse row coversor originate tunnel in your garden to make vegetable harder to reach . Double up the security on chicken coop by adding hardware cloth or wimp wire to unaccented spots .
2. Reduce Sheltering Spots
Cozy shelter attract opossums , so trim improbable grasses , trim back overgrown bush and trees , and remove skirmish or lumber piles . While you ’re at it , consider immobilize off belittled ingress points into your home with expandable spray foam and crawl space under your deck , potting shed , or patio with ironware cloth or volaille wire . Remember to check these areas for animals before you seal off them up .
3. Install Fencing
Encircling your lawn or garden with asturdy fencemade of computer hardware cloth , chicken telegram , cement , or wood can exclude opossums and protect your green goods . For good results , install fencing so at least 4 infantry of fencing is above the soil crease , and 1 foot of fencing is buried beneath the soil personal line of credit . Angling the top 1 foot of fencing off from your garden can make it even hard for opossums to climb over .
4. Try Repellents
Many repellents allegedly deter opossums , but some of these substances work well than others , and spray repellents commonly call for to be reapplied regularly and after heavy rains . Cayenne pulverisation , garlic oil , vinegar , and predator piss spray are all commonly used to deter opossum .
you may also place clumps of pet fur in your garden oruse idle words chimes , a motion - activated sprinkler , or a spotlight to scare off possum . To increase the chances of achiever , use repellents in conjunction with other treatment methods , and from time to time change over up the Cartesian product you use so that phalanger do n’t get accustomed to a single repellent .
mothball , camphor , and ammonia should not be used outdoors as animal repellent . These products can harm possum and other wildlife , and they contaminate garden soil and leach into waterways .
5. Trap and Relocate the Opossum
Relocating opossums is seldom necessary as they usually leave behind the area when you carry off the food for thought and sheltering spots that attract them . pin is not always effective , as new opossums often move in as soon as the first opossum is removed .
If you ’re driven to withdraw possum from your place , research local rules and regulation before you begin . opt an appropriately sized live gob , add cat solid food or goober butter as bait , place the trap in a stain where you know opossums are fighting , and check the trap often to ensure an opossum does n’t stay confined long . If potential , avoid immobilize opossums from February to June , as mothers are more likely to be worry for babies at this clip .
After securing an possum in your trap , immediately let go the animal at least five miles away from human domicile . While phalanger are broadly non - fast-growing , they can get feisty when they experience trapped , so wield the trap carefully andsturdy boxing glove are necessary . If opossums are n’t “ falling for your trap , ” camouflaging the ambuscade with sticks or leaves may help .
When frightened , possum sometimes feign death or “ play possum ” as a defensive mechanism . During this outgrowth , opossums are immobilized , their oral cavity may open , and they may let loose a foul odor . If this hap , provide the opossum alone , and it should recover in a few minutes to hours .
reassess Possums . Texas A&M University
