Don’t let possums run through your doggie-door (yes, that can happen!)
If there’s garbage thrown everywhere and your garden fruits and veggies have mysteriously vanished, a likely culprit is an opossum, more commonly known as a possum. While these marsupials are seemingly harmless, they can cause damage to your yard, chicken coops, and even the inside of your home. To save your property—and your sanity—learn how to get rid of possums quickly and humanely.
Why Do I Have to Get Rid of Possums?
Possums can damage your home’s interior and exterior. While there are many DIY approaches you can take to get rid of possums, we recommend calling in a local animal control pro to tackle possums that have made themselves comfortable in or around your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Possums?
The average cost to get rid of possums is $250 to $500. You can expect animal removal services to bill per job instead of charging an hourly rate.
That said, your final bill will depend on:
How many possums are on your property
The size of the possum(s)
Location—inside, outside in your yard, underneath your porch (or how difficult it is to reach the possum)
The extent of the damage caused by the possum
Length of time the possum has made itself at home
Removal method: baiting, trapping, and releasing; den removal; or non-harmful repellants
Signs of Possums Living Inside or Outside of Your Home
Possums are nocturnal, which means they primarily come out at night. However, you can occasionally spot them during the day.
Here are some telltale signs you have a possum problem:
Your garden veggies and berries are missing
Something trampled your plants and flowers
You see animal droppings (brown with a white or yellowish mold) and smell unpleasant odors
You hear noises (hissing) in your attic, crawl space, or beneath your porch
Something has gone through your trash searching for food
Something broke into your chicken coop (possums eat chickens and eggs)
How to Get Rid of Possums
The easiest way to get rid of possums is simply … waiting. They usually move on from your property within a few days. But, if you find yourself with a new and unwanted house guest, try these methods to make him leave.
Trapping
Trapping is a safe and humane method that involves baiting a possum with berries, veggies, fish, or cat food and releasing it in a far-away location. We recommend that only experienced wildlife control pros trap and release possums to ensure the possum’s survival and the homeowner’s safety.
Eliminating Possum Dens
Possums look for small openings to create a den. Patch any holes in your roof to prevent possums from entering your attic, and search your yard and underneath your porch for any dens and safely remove them (again, contacting a wildlife pro for den removal is your best bet).
According to The Humane Society of the United States, mother possums usually carry their young with them whenever they leave the den, but always check to make sure there are no babies left behind before you fill any holes.
Animal Repellants
You can spray chemical and natural animal repellants in your yard to keep possums away. These often smell like fox urine or something similar. These repellants are not harmful, but you’ll need to apply them regularly, making this option harder to manage than a one-time removal.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Used as a sight aversion technique, motion-activated sprinklers scare possums away from your yard. You’ll want to move the sprinklers around your property frequently, so the possums don’t feel comfortable coming around your house.
Pro Tip: Never try to kill a possum—this is not only an illegal practice in many states but also inhumane and unnecessary.
How to Keep Possums Away
So you got rid of one squatter—but how do you keep him (or others) from coming back? You can keep possums away by:
Adding wire fencing around your garden (at least 4 feet high)
Keeping your garden well-lit at night, as possums prefer dark environments
Keeping your yard free of debris so possums can’t make cozy dens
Patching holes in your roof or fence
Repairing chimney caps and venting
Picking up food (especially fallen fruit), dog/cat treats, and birdseed from your yard. Possums aren’t picky eaters!
Adding a locking mechanism to your trash cans
Sealing your doggie doors
Trimming tall trees and vegetation. Possums are known to climb high and use long branches to jump onto roofs.
Adding protective latticework or mesh screens beneath your porch so possums can’t burrow underneath
Monitoring your property for possums and dens
DIY vs. Hire a Pro
While you can DIY some removal techniques, such as adding repellants, when it comes to baiting and trapping, we recommend hiring a pro.
A wildlife control expert knows local laws and regulations concerning possums and wildlife. They’re knowledgeable about possum habitats and can safely transport the critter to a new living space away from people. Also, many animal control pros will clean up dens, debris, and droppings left over from possums, too.
FAQs
Are possums dangerous?
Possums don’t typically pose a danger to humans—they prefer to stay out of sight. If they feel threatened, they play dead instead of engaging.
However, they can become aggressive when cornered, typically when they become trapped inside your home. When this happens, it’s best to call a wildlife control service near you to remove possums safely.
Are possums rodents?
Although they resemble cats or extra-large rats, possums are not rodents. They are marsupials who spend their earliest days inside their mother’s pouch.
Do possums carry diseases?
While possums don’t typically carry rabies, they can have lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. Possums can also carry diseases including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, and fevers.
Are there any benefits to having possums stick around?
Possums are unique animals. They help to reduce local tick populations, and they help to maintain local food and eco habitats by eating small rodents, slugs, pests, and their remains.
However, it’s not healthy for possums to consume human food. So, it’s best to let them go and keep them away from your property.
