Opossums are often overlooked when it comes to wildlife problems, but these nocturnal creatures can cause significant damage to your property if left unchecked. They’re scavengers by nature and will often seek shelter and food in urban and suburban areas, particularly during colder months or in search of a safe place to raise their young. Opossums are generally harmless, but they can create issues when they invade your property, including damaging gardens, stealing pet food, and potentially entering attics or basements.
If you’re dealing with opossums or want to prevent them from making your property their home, it’s essential to understand their behavior and take steps to safeguard your home. Here’s how you can protect your property from opossums and avoid the potential problems they can cause.
Why Are Opossums a Problem?
While opossums are relatively harmless compared to other wildlife, they are opportunistic creatures that can cause trouble in several ways:
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Property Damage: Opossums are known to chew on wires, insulation, and wood. If they make their way into attics, basements, or crawl spaces, they can cause extensive damage to your property.
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Nesting in Undesirable Areas: Opossums will often take shelter in dark, hidden spaces like attics, sheds, or under decks. Once they find a safe place, they may decide to make a nest and even raise young.
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Health Risks: Opossums can carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, and lice, which could be transmitted to your pets or family. They can also carry diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, which pose health risks if not properly managed.
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Garden Destruction: Opossums are known to raid gardens, fruit trees, and compost piles, where they will help themselves to anything they can find. This can lead to crop damage, especially in gardens that are left unprotected.
Signs You Have Opossums on Your Property
Opossums are nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. However, there are several signs that can indicate their presence around your property:
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Nesting: Look for nests or torn-up areas under decks, porches, or in your attic. Opossums are known to make their homes in quiet, hidden spaces.
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Droppings: Opossum droppings are typically oval and have a similar appearance to those of other rodents, but they often contain seeds, fruit, or bits of insects that can help identify them.
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Damage to Gardens or Trash: If you notice your garden being raided or trash cans being overturned and rummaged through, opossums could be the culprits.
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Footprints: Opossums leave behind small, round footprints with five toes, often showing signs of digging if they’ve been scavenging for food.
If you observe these signs, it’s time to take action to prevent further damage and keep your property safe.
How to Protect Your Property from Opossums
To protect your home and yard from opossums, you’ll need to focus on eliminating their food sources, shelter areas, and potential entry points. Here’s how you can safeguard your property:
Secure Trash and Food Sources
Opossums are scavengers, and they’re often attracted to easy food sources like trash, pet food, or compost piles. To keep them away:
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Seal Trash Cans: Make sure all trash bins have tight-fitting lids and are stored in a secure area, such as a shed or garage. Avoid leaving bags of garbage outside overnight.
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Remove Pet Food: Never leave pet food outside, especially overnight. If you feed your pets outdoors, make sure to bring their food bowls inside once they’re done eating.
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Cover Compost Piles: If you compost, make sure the compost bin is securely covered to prevent opossums from accessing it.
Seal Entry Points to Your Home
Opossums will often enter your home in search of a safe and quiet place to nest, especially during colder months or when they’re ready to raise their young. Common entry points include:
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Attics: Check your roof for gaps, holes, or missing shingles. Seal any openings larger than a quarter.
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Basements and Crawl Spaces: Inspect your foundation for cracks or gaps and seal any openings that could allow opossums to enter.
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Vents and Chimneys: Install vent covers and chimney caps to prevent opossums from entering through these areas.
By sealing up these potential entry points, you can prevent opossums from taking up residence in your home.
Trim Trees and Bushes
Opossums can use overhanging branches as a way to access your roof, attic, or other vulnerable areas of your home. Keep trees and bushes trimmed so that there are no branches within 6-8 feet of your roofline. This will make it much harder for opossums to reach your home and find entry points.
Remove Potential Sheltering Areas
Opossums like to hide in secluded, dark spaces such as under decks, porches, or sheds. To make your property less inviting:
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Clean Up Debris: Remove piles of leaves, branches, or wood from your yard, as they may attract opossums looking for a place to nest.
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Install Barriers: If you have a deck or shed, consider installing a mesh or solid skirting around the bottom to block opossums from entering.
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Close Off Holes: Make sure there are no openings under structures where opossums could hide. If there are any gaps, seal them up with wire mesh or other sturdy materials.
Use Repellents
There are several natural repellents that can help deter opossums from coming onto your property:
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Predator Urine: Opossums are frightened by the scent of predators such as coyotes and foxes. You can purchase predator urine or spray solutions to deter them.
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Motion-Activated Lights: Opossums are nocturnal creatures and prefer dark, quiet areas. Installing motion-activated lights can startle them and keep them from feeling safe on your property.
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Ammonia: Soaking rags in ammonia and placing them around areas where opossums are frequenting can also deter them, as they find the smell unpleasant.
Consider Professional Help
If opossums have already found their way onto your property and into your home, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife control expert. Critter Control of South Wisconsin specializes in humane wildlife removal and can assess your property to safely remove opossums and prevent future invasions.
Opossums may seem like harmless creatures, but when they invade your property, they can cause significant damage and health risks. By taking steps to eliminate food sources, seal entry points, and remove potential shelter areas, you can prevent opossums from making your home their own. If you’re dealing with an opossum problem or want expert help in keeping your property wildlife-free, contact Critter Control of South Wisconsin today for humane and effective solutions.