How to Get Rid of Opossums Under Your House: Expert Advice
The answer to how do I get rid of opossums under my house? involves a multi-pronged approach, focusing on humane removal, habitat modification, and preventive measures to ensure they don’t return. Opossums are generally beneficial scavengers, but their presence under your home can create sanitation and safety concerns.
Understanding Opossums and Why They’re Under Your House
Opossums, also known as possums, are marsupials native to North America. They are nocturnal and opportunistic, meaning they’ll take advantage of available food and shelter. Your house, particularly the crawl space underneath, can provide an ideal environment:
- Shelter: Underneath your house offers protection from predators and the elements.
- Food Sources: Opossums scavenge for food, and your property may provide:
- Pet food left outdoors
- Garbage cans that are not properly secured
- Fallen fruit from trees
- Insects and rodents already present around your home
Opossums are generally not aggressive and will often play dead when threatened (hence the phrase “playing possum”). However, they can carry diseases and parasites, and their droppings can be unsanitary. Therefore, removing them from under your house is important for your health and the structural integrity of your property.
A Humane Approach to Opossum Removal
The key to successfully addressing the question of how do I get rid of opossums under my house? is a humane approach. This focuses on encouraging them to leave on their own, rather than resorting to trapping or harming them.
- Confirm Their Presence: Before taking any action, make sure you actually have an opossum under your house. Look for:
- Droppings (similar in appearance to cat droppings)
- Scratching or rustling noises at night
- A distinctive musky odor
- Make the Environment Unattractive:
- Remove food sources: Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. Bring pet food indoors at night. Clean up any fallen fruit in your yard.
- Eliminate access: Inspect the perimeter of your house for any openings, such as cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes. Seal these openings with heavy-duty wire mesh or sheet metal. Ensure any repairs consider proper ventilation.
- Opossum Eviction Fluid: These products are commercially available and contain scents that opossums find unpleasant, encouraging them to relocate. Apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- One-Way Exclusion Door: This device allows the opossum to exit your property but prevents it from re-entering. Install it over their primary entry point. Leave it in place for several days to ensure they’ve left before sealing the opening permanently.
Trapping as a Last Resort (Proceed with Caution)
Trapping should only be considered if other humane methods have failed and you are certain you can relocate the opossum responsibly. Contact your local animal control or wildlife removal services for advice and assistance.
- Legal Considerations: Check local laws and regulations regarding trapping and relocating wildlife. Some areas may prohibit these activities.
- Choosing a Trap: Use a humane live trap large enough to comfortably accommodate an opossum. Bait the trap with fruits or vegetables.
- Relocation: If you trap an opossum, relocate it to a suitable habitat at least 5-10 miles away from your property. Areas with dense vegetation and access to water are ideal.
Important Note: Avoid trapping during baby season (typically spring and early summer) as there may be young opossums dependent on their mother. Trapping the mother will result in the death of the young.
Preventing Future Opossum Problems
Once you’ve successfully removed the opossum, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent future infestations.
- Regular Inspections: Inspect your property regularly for any potential entry points. Repair any cracks or openings immediately.
- Landscaping: Trim back overgrown vegetation that provides cover for opossums.
- Garbage Management: Always secure garbage cans and ensure they are properly sealed.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Install motion-activated lights around your property to deter nocturnal animals, including opossums.
Comparison of Opossum Removal Methods
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| ——————– | ————————————————————————————————————– | ————————————————————————————————————- | —————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Exclusion | Blocking access to under the house after ensuring the opossum has left. | Most humane and effective long-term solution. Prevents future entry. | Requires identifying and sealing all potential entry points, which can be time-consuming. Needs patience to ensure the opossum is gone. |
| Opossum Eviction Fluid | Using scent deterrents to encourage the opossum to leave. | Relatively easy to apply. Humane. | May not be effective in all cases. Scent may fade over time, requiring reapplication. |
| Live Trapping | Capturing the opossum in a live trap and relocating it. | Can be effective for immediate removal. | Requires careful handling and responsible relocation. Can be stressful for the animal. Legal restrictions may apply. |
| Professional Removal | Hiring a wildlife removal service to handle the problem. | Convenient and efficient. Professionals have experience and equipment. | Can be expensive. |
FAQs About Opossums Under the House
What are the signs of an opossum living under my house?
The most common signs include droppings that resemble cat feces, nocturnal scratching or rustling noises, a distinctive musky odor, and visual sightings of the opossum entering or exiting the area. Look for disturbed insulation or nesting material as well.
Are opossums dangerous to humans or pets?
While opossums are generally not aggressive, they can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and rabies (though rabies is rare in opossums), and parasites like fleas and ticks. Their droppings can also pose a health risk. Keep pets away from opossums and their droppings.
What diseases can opossums carry?
Opossums can carry diseases like leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis, and trichomoniasis. They are also carriers of fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.
Can I handle an opossum myself?
It is strongly recommended to avoid handling opossums directly. They may bite or scratch if they feel threatened. It’s best to contact a wildlife professional for assistance.
How do I seal entry points to prevent opossums from returning?
Use heavy-duty wire mesh or sheet metal to seal any cracks or openings in your foundation, around pipes, or in other areas where opossums could gain access. Ensure the mesh is securely fastened and extends several inches beyond the edge of the opening.
What is the best bait to use in a live trap for an opossum?
Opossums are attracted to fruits, vegetables, and pet food. Good options include apples, bananas, grapes, and canned cat or dog food.
How far away should I relocate an opossum after trapping it?
Relocate the opossum at least 5-10 miles away from your property to prevent it from returning. Choose a location with dense vegetation and access to water.
Is it legal to trap and relocate opossums in my area?
Check with your local animal control or wildlife authorities to determine the legality of trapping and relocating opossums in your area. Some areas may require a permit or prohibit these activities.
What do I do if I find baby opossums under my house?
If you find baby opossums, avoid disturbing them. Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for advice. The mother opossum may return to retrieve them if left undisturbed. Removing the babies can be detrimental to their survival.
Will mothballs get rid of opossums?
While some people suggest using mothballs as a deterrent, they are not an effective solution and can be harmful to the environment and your health. It’s best to use humane and environmentally friendly methods.
How can I keep opossums away from my pets’ food?
Bring pet food indoors at night or store it in a sealed container. Avoid leaving food bowls outside unattended.
What are the benefits of having opossums around my house?
While they can be a nuisance under your house, opossums are beneficial scavengers that eat insects, rodents, and carrion. They help to control pest populations and clean up decaying matter. However, these benefits don’t outweigh the risks when they are living in close proximity to your home. Removing them humanely is the best option.