Your Guide: How To Get Rid Of Opossum In Yard Safely

Can you have opossums in your yard? Yes, opossums are common in yards, especially those with good food and shelter. How do you get rid of opossums in your yard safely? The best ways involve making your yard less attractive to them, using safe repellents, and sometimes, humane removal.

Opossums, with their unique appearance and nocturnal habits, can sometimes become unwelcome visitors in our yards. While they play a role in the ecosystem, like eating insects and rodents, their presence can lead to concerns about pets, gardens, and general yard tidiness. This guide will walk you through effective and safe methods for deterring opossums and achieving humane opossum removal when necessary. We’ll cover yard pest control strategies that focus on making your property less appealing to these marsupials, helping you achieve safe opossum removal without causing harm.

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Why Are Opossums Visiting Your Yard?

Before we dive into removal techniques, it’s helpful to understand what draws opossums to a particular area. They are primarily looking for food, water, and shelter.

Common Attractions for Opossums:

• Food Sources:
  • Pet food left outdoors.
  • Garbage cans that are not secured.
  • Fallen fruit from trees.
  • Bird feeders and spilled seed.
  • Insects and grubs in your lawn.
  • Small rodents or other prey.
• Shelter:
  • Dense brush or overgrown areas.
  • Woodpiles.
  • Sheds, garages, or under decks.
  • Hollow logs or dense vegetation.
  • Compost piles.

Identifying these attractants is the first step in effectively managing opossum presence and is crucial for successful opossum proofing yard efforts.

Making Your Yard Less Inviting: Prevention is Key

The most effective way to manage opossums is to prevent them from settling in your yard in the first place. This involves a multi-pronged approach to yard pest control that addresses their basic needs.

Securing Food Sources:

This is arguably the most important step in deterring opossums. If they can’t find easy food, they are likely to move on to a more hospitable location.

Garbage Management:

• Secure Lids: Ensure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids.
• Bungee Cords: Use bungee cords or straps to secure lids further, especially on windy nights.
• Wash Cans: Regularly wash out your garbage cans to remove food odors.
• Trash Day: Bring trash cans out on collection day, not the night before.

Pet Food and Water:

• Indoor Feeding: Feed pets indoors whenever possible.
• Clean Up: If feeding outdoors, remove any leftover food and water bowls immediately after your pet has finished.

Garden and Orchard Care:

• Harvest Regularly: Pick ripe fruit and vegetables from trees and gardens promptly.
• Clear Fallen Produce: Dispose of any fallen fruit or vegetables from the ground.
• Compost Wisely: Avoid adding meat scraps or dairy products to your compost pile, which can attract opossums. Cover food scraps with dry leaves or soil.

Bird Feeders:

• Clean Spills: Regularly clean up spilled birdseed beneath feeders.
• Feeder Type: Consider using feeders that are less likely to spill or have baffles to prevent access.

Eliminating Shelter and Entry Points

Opossums are opportunistic nesters. Eliminating potential den sites is a vital part of opossum proofing yard.

Yard De-cluttering:

• Remove Debris: Clear away piles of leaves, grass clippings, and old lumber.
• Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubbery and ground cover trimmed, especially around the foundation of your home. This reduces hiding places.
• Secure Woodpiles: If you have woodpiles, store them neatly and elevate them off the ground to discourage nesting underneath.

Inspecting and Sealing Structures:

• Check Foundations: Inspect the foundation of your house, garage, sheds, and decks for any holes or gaps.
• Seal Openings: Seal any openings larger than a silver dollar with sturdy materials like hardware cloth, sheet metal, or concrete.
• Secure Vents: Ensure vents to crawl spaces and attics are covered with opossum exclusion materials like sturdy mesh.

Den Site Removal:

If you find an opossum has already taken up residence under a shed or deck, humane opossum removal is the next step. This often involves waiting until the animal leaves on its own, then sealing the entry point.

Natural Opossum Repellents and Deterrents

While physical deterrents are effective, some natural methods can also help in deterring opossums. These are generally considered safe for pets and children when used correctly.

Scent-Based Repellents:

Opossums have a strong sense of smell and can be deterred by certain odors.

• Ammonia: Place rags soaked in ammonia in areas where opossums are active. The strong smell can be off-putting.
• Castor Oil: Mix castor oil with water and spray it around your yard.
• Peppermint Oil: Apply peppermint oil to cotton balls and place them in areas of concern.
• Garlic: Crushed garlic or garlic spray can also be effective.

Important Note: Always test any repellent on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage plants or surfaces. Reapply repellents after rain.

Auditory and Visual Deterrents:

Sometimes, simply making your yard seem less peaceful can be enough to send opossums packing.

• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These are highly effective as opossums dislike sudden bursts of water.
• Ultrasonic Devices: While results can vary, some ultrasonic devices emit sounds that may be unpleasant for opossums.

Physical Barriers:

Creating physical barriers can prevent opossums from accessing certain areas.

• Fencing: A sturdy fence, at least 3-4 feet high, with the bottom edge buried at least 6 inches into the ground and angled outward, can be effective. Opossums are not strong climbers, so a simple fence is usually sufficient.
• Hardware Cloth: For specific garden areas or under decks, using opossum exclusion with sturdy hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh) can prevent access.

Humane Opossum Removal Strategies

If prevention and deterrents haven’t worked, or if you have an opossum that has clearly taken up residence, you might need to consider removal. Humane opossum removal is paramount.

When to Call Professionals:

• If you are uncomfortable: If you are not comfortable dealing with wildlife, it’s always best to call a professional wildlife removal service.
• Injured or Sick Opossums: Never attempt to handle an animal that appears sick or injured. Contact your local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator.
• Difficult Situations: If the opossum is in a hard-to-reach location or you suspect it has babies, professional assistance is recommended. They have the tools and expertise for safe opossum removal.

Live Trapping Opossums:

If you choose to trap yourself, ensure you are following local regulations regarding live trapping and relocation. This is not always permitted.

How To Catch Opossums Safely:

• Live Trap: Purchase or rent a live trap designed for medium-sized animals.
• Bait: Use attractive bait such as overripe fruit, sardines, or peanut butter.
• Placement: Place the trap along common opossum travel paths or near den sites.
• Check Frequently: Check the trap at least twice a day, early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Do not leave an animal trapped for extended periods.
• Handling: Wear thick gloves when approaching or handling the trap. Opossums can bite if they feel threatened.

Relocation:

• Check Local Laws: Before relocating an opossum, crucially check your local laws. Many areas prohibit the relocation of wildlife due to disease transmission or disruption of established ecosystems.
• Suitable Habitat: If relocation is permitted, choose a suitable habitat at least 5-10 miles away, with access to food and water, but away from human habitation.

Warning: Relocating wildlife can sometimes do more harm than good, as the animal may not survive in unfamiliar territory or may spread diseases. The most humane approach is often to make your yard inhospitable so they leave on their own.

Opossum Exclusion:

This is a highly effective method for safe opossum removal once you are sure no animals are inside a structure.

• Identify Entry Points: Locate all potential entry points into sheds, garages, or under decks.
• One-Way Doors: Install one-way doors or exclusion funnels over the main entry points. These allow the opossum to leave but prevent it from re-entering.
• Seal Other Openings: While the one-way door is in place, seal all other smaller holes and gaps.
• Monitor: Wait a few days to ensure the opossum has left, then remove the one-way door and permanently seal the main entry point.

When Opossums Become a Benefit

It’s worth remembering that opossums can be beneficial in a yard. They are nature’s pest control, consuming large numbers of insects, including ticks and mosquitoes, as well as rodents, snakes, and even carrion. They can help keep your garden free of slugs and snails.

If the opossum is not causing direct damage, and you can manage potential food sources, coexisting might be a viable option.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Poison: Never use poison. It is inhumane, can harm pets and children, and can also affect non-target wildlife.
• Harmful Traps: Avoid traps that can injure the animal, such as glue traps or leg-hold traps.
• Separating Babies: If you suspect a mother opossum has babies, do not attempt to remove her. Wait until the babies are old enough to travel, or call a professional. Separating them is inhumane.
• Harassment: Constant harassment can stress the animal and make it more aggressive, increasing the risk of bites.

Opossum Deterrents: A Quick Summary

Deterrent Type	Examples	Effectiveness
Food Removal	Secure trash, clean pet food, harvest fruit	High – Opossums are primarily attracted by food.
Shelter Removal	Clear debris, trim bushes, seal structures	High – Eliminates nesting and hiding spots.
Scent Repellents	Ammonia, castor oil, peppermint oil, garlic	Moderate – Can be effective but needs frequent reapplication, especially after rain.
Physical Barriers	Fencing, hardware cloth	High – Provides a physical block to entry.
Water Sprinklers	Motion-activated sprinklers	High – Opossums dislike sudden water.
Auditory/Visual	Ultrasonic devices, motion-activated lights	Moderate – Effectiveness varies by animal and device.
Live Trapping	Humane traps with bait	Moderate to High – Requires knowledge of baiting, checking, and local regulations. Relocation may be illegal or ineffective.
Exclusion Devices	One-way doors, exclusion funnels	High – Effective for removing animals from structures, followed by permanent sealing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are opossums dangerous to humans or pets?
A: Opossums are generally timid and shy. They will usually try to escape rather than fight. They can bite if cornered or threatened, but this is rare. Their bite can transmit diseases, so it’s important not to handle them directly. For pets, they pose a minimal threat unless cornered, where they might defend themselves.

Q: Can opossums damage my garden?
A: Yes, opossums can eat fruits, vegetables, and garden plants. They can also dig for grubs. Securing your garden with fencing or row covers is a good opossum proofing yard measure.

Q: How do I know if there’s an opossum in my house?
A: Signs include scratching noises in walls or attics, foul odors, or droppings. If you suspect an opossum is inside your home, contact a professional wildlife removal service immediately. They can perform humane opossum removal from your house.

Q: What is the best time of day to deter opossums?
A: Opossums are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. Therefore, securing food and removing attractants in the evening and at night is most crucial. If you are trapping, early morning and late afternoon are best for checking traps.

Q: Can I use a dog to scare opossums away?
A: While a dog might bark at an opossum, it can also lead to a confrontation. An aggressive dog could be injured, and a scared opossum might bite. It’s generally not the safest or most effective method. Focus on eliminating attractants and using safe opossum deterrents.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage opossum presence in your yard and ensure a peaceful coexistence with nature, or achieve humane opossum removal when necessary, keeping your property safe and secure. Remember, consistent effort in yard pest control is key to long-term success.