What Attracts Opossums to Your House: A Homeowner’s Guide
Opossums are drawn to houses by the promise of readily available food, water, and shelter; this opportunistic behavior, driven by their need to survive, answers what attracts opossums to houses in urban and suburban environments. They’re seeking easy meals, safe havens, and comfortable living conditions, often finding these within our very properties.
Understanding the Opossum: An Overview
Opossums, often misunderstood and sometimes feared, are native marsupials found throughout North America. They play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations and scavenging carrion. However, their adaptability also leads them to seek resources within our homes and gardens. Understanding their behavior and needs is the first step in preventing unwanted interactions. What attracts opossums to house isn’t malice, but necessity. They are simply trying to survive.
Prime Attractions: Food, Water, and Shelter
The most significant factors attracting opossums to residential properties boil down to three essential elements: food, water, and shelter. If your property inadvertently offers these resources, you’re essentially extending an invitation to these resourceful creatures.
- Food Sources:
- Pet food left outdoors.
- Unsecured garbage cans.
- Fallen fruit from trees.
- Bird feeders (especially if seed spills occur).
- Gardens with accessible vegetables and fruits.
- Water Sources:
- Pet water bowls.
- Bird baths.
- Ponds or standing water.
- Leaky outdoor faucets.
- Shelter Options:
- Under decks or porches.
- In sheds or garages.
- Within wood piles.
- Abandoned vehicles.
- Attics or crawl spaces (if entry points exist).
Eliminating the Attractants: Proactive Prevention
The best approach is to eliminate the resources that draw opossums to your property in the first place. This involves proactive measures focused on minimizing their access to food, water, and shelter.
- Secure Food Sources:
- Feed pets indoors or remove outdoor pet food immediately after feeding.
- Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. Consider using bungee cords for added security.
- Harvest fallen fruit regularly.
- Use bird feeders designed to minimize seed spillage.
- Protect gardens with fencing or netting.
- Manage Water Sources:
- Empty pet water bowls overnight.
- Clean bird baths regularly.
- Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
- Eliminate standing water.
- Deny Shelter Opportunities:
- Seal openings under decks and porches with wire mesh or solid barriers.
- Keep sheds and garages closed and well-maintained.
- Elevate wood piles off the ground.
- Remove abandoned vehicles or debris piles.
- Inspect your house regularly for potential entry points (e.g., damaged siding, loose vents) and seal them.
The Role of Cleanliness and Maintenance
A clean and well-maintained property is less attractive to opossums. Regularly cleaning up debris, removing overgrown vegetation, and maintaining your home’s structure will reduce the likelihood of them finding suitable food, water, and shelter. What attracts opossums to house is often the path of least resistance. If your property is an easy target, they will exploit it.
Understanding Opossum Behavior
Understanding opossum behavior can help you tailor your prevention strategies. They are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are also opportunistic eaters, consuming a wide variety of foods. They are not aggressive animals and will typically “play possum” (feign death) when threatened. Knowing these facts can help you respond effectively and humanely if you encounter one on your property.
The Importance of Professional Help
While many prevention measures can be implemented by homeowners, in some cases, professional assistance may be necessary. If you have a persistent opossum problem, or if you suspect that opossums have entered your home (e.g., attic or crawl space), it’s best to consult with a qualified wildlife removal specialist. They can safely and humanely remove the opossums and implement preventative measures to prevent future infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are opossums suddenly showing up in my yard?
Opossum activity often increases during certain times of the year, such as breeding season or when food sources are scarce elsewhere. Changes in your neighborhood, such as new construction or the removal of natural habitats, can also displace opossums and force them to seek resources in residential areas. Ultimately, if your yard suddenly becomes more attractive in terms of food or shelter, they will come.
Are opossums dangerous to humans?
Opossums are generally not aggressive towards humans. They may hiss or bare their teeth if they feel threatened, but they are more likely to “play possum” than to attack. However, they can carry diseases, such as leptospirosis and rabies (though rabies is rare in opossums), and their feces can contain harmful bacteria. It’s always best to avoid direct contact with opossums and to exercise caution when cleaning up their droppings.
How can I tell if an opossum is living under my deck?
Signs of an opossum living under your deck include seeing them entering or exiting the space, hearing noises (e.g., scratching, rustling) at night, finding droppings or urine, and noticing a strong, musky odor. Regular inspections of vulnerable areas are essential to catch early signs of infestation.
What is the best way to get rid of an opossum that is already living in my house?
The best approach is to hire a qualified wildlife removal specialist. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely trap and remove the opossum. Avoid trying to handle the animal yourself, as you could be bitten or scratched.
Will opossums attack my pets?
Opossums are generally not a significant threat to adult dogs or cats. However, they may pose a risk to smaller pets, such as kittens, puppies, or rabbits. It’s best to supervise your pets when they are outdoors, especially at night, and to take steps to prevent opossums from accessing your property.
Are opossums protected by law?
The legal status of opossums varies depending on the state and local regulations. In some areas, it may be illegal to trap or kill opossums without a permit. Always check with your local wildlife agency before taking any action.
How do I clean up opossum droppings safely?
Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up opossum droppings. Carefully remove the droppings and disinfect the area with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Dispose of the droppings in a sealed plastic bag. Wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.
Do opossums hibernate in the winter?
Opossums do not hibernate, but they become less active during the winter months. They may seek shelter in warm, protected areas, such as dens, burrows, or buildings. Providing access to shelter is a significant factor in what attracts opossums to house, even during the colder months.
Can I deter opossums with ultrasonic devices?
The effectiveness of ultrasonic devices in deterring opossums is questionable. While some people report success, others find that they have little or no effect. It’s generally best to focus on eliminating food, water, and shelter sources, as these are the most effective deterrents.
What is the average lifespan of an opossum?
The average lifespan of an opossum in the wild is only 1-2 years. This is due to a variety of factors, including predation, disease, and vehicle collisions.
Are opossums beneficial to the environment?
Yes, opossums play a valuable role in the ecosystem. They are opportunistic omnivores that consume insects, snails, rodents, and carrion, helping to control populations and clean up the environment.
If I remove one opossum, will others come back?
If you don’t address the underlying issues that attracted the opossum in the first place (food, water, and shelter), it is likely that other opossums will eventually move in. The key to long-term prevention is to eliminate the attractants and make your property less hospitable. Understanding and addressing what attracts opossums to house is the key to a pest-free environment.