What Attracts Possums the Most?
Possums are most strongly attracted by easily accessible food sources, especially unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors, and fallen fruit. Essentially, what attracts possums the most? is anything that offers a readily available, high-calorie meal with minimal effort.
Understanding Possum Attraction: A Deep Dive
Possums, those nocturnal marsupials often seen scurrying across fences or peering from rooftops, are opportunistic omnivores. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in both urban and rural environments. Understanding what attracts possums the most? requires looking at their basic needs and survival strategies. This includes their diet, habitat preferences, and behavioral tendencies.
Food, Glorious Food: The Primary Attractant
Possums are driven by their need for sustenance, making food the number one attractant. This isn’t limited to a specific type of food; they’re generally not picky. What matters most is the ease of access.
- Unsecured Garbage: Overfilled bins and loosely covered trash cans are a veritable buffet for possums. Discarded food scraps, leftovers, and even soiled napkins provide a smorgasbord of tempting treats.
- Pet Food: Leaving pet food bowls outside overnight is an open invitation. Possums will happily devour dry kibble or wet food, often competing with cats for the same resources.
- Fallen Fruit & Garden Produce: Fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and compost heaps are magnets for possums. Ripe or overripe fruits, dropped vegetables, and decomposing organic matter offer an easy and abundant food supply.
- Bird Feeders: Seed and suet intended for birds are also highly attractive to possums. Spilled seed around the feeder is especially enticing.
Habitat: Shelter and Safety
While food is the primary motivator, shelter plays a crucial role in attracting possums to an area. They seek safe places to rest, sleep, and raise their young.
- Dense Vegetation: Bushes, shrubs, and ivy offer excellent hiding places and protection from predators. Overgrown areas around homes provide ideal daytime retreats.
- Under Decks and Sheds: These enclosed spaces offer shelter from the elements and provide a secure location for nesting.
- Attics and Wall Cavities: Possums can sometimes find their way into homes, taking up residence in attics or wall cavities. These locations offer warmth, safety, and easy access to potential food sources.
Water Sources: A Lesser, but Important, Factor
While not as powerful an attractant as food and shelter, a readily available water source can contribute to a possum’s decision to inhabit an area.
- Pet Water Bowls: Just like food, outdoor pet water bowls are easily accessible to possums.
- Bird Baths: Bird baths offer a convenient source of water for drinking and bathing.
- Leaky Faucets and Sprinklers: Any persistent source of water can attract possums, especially during dry periods.
Reducing Possum Attraction: Prevention is Key
The best way to deter possums is to eliminate or minimize the factors that attract them in the first place. This involves a multi-pronged approach focused on food source management, habitat modification, and exclusion techniques.
- Secure Garbage Bins: Use bins with tight-fitting lids and secure them with bungee cords or weights if necessary.
- Bring Pet Food Indoors: Avoid leaving pet food outside overnight. If you must feed pets outdoors, do so during daylight hours and remove any leftovers immediately.
- Harvest Fruits and Vegetables Promptly: Pick ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as they’re ready and clean up any fallen produce.
- Trim Vegetation: Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed to reduce hiding places. Remove ivy from walls and fences.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps around pipes, cracks in the foundation, and holes in the roof. Seal these openings with wire mesh or caulk.
- Consider Repellents (with caution): Some commercially available possum repellents may deter them, but their effectiveness can vary. Ensure the repellent is safe for pets and children. Avoid using mothballs, as they are toxic and environmentally harmful.
Table: Attractants and Prevention Methods
| Attractant | Prevention Method |
|---|---|
| ——————– | ————————————————————————————- |
| Unsecured Garbage | Use bins with tight-fitting lids, secure with bungee cords/weights |
| Pet Food Outdoors | Bring pet food indoors overnight; feed pets during daylight hours, remove leftovers |
| Fallen Fruit/Produce | Harvest promptly, clean up fallen produce |
| Dense Vegetation | Trim bushes, shrubs, and ivy; remove hiding places |
| Entry Points | Seal gaps around pipes, cracks in foundation, holes in roof with wire mesh or caulk |
Possums and Their Ecosystem Role
Despite their sometimes-unwanted presence around homes, possums play an important role in the ecosystem. They are natural pest controllers, consuming insects, snails, and slugs. They also help to control rodent populations. Understanding their ecological significance can help us appreciate their place in the natural world and find ways to coexist peacefully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are possums most afraid of?
Possums are generally afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and sudden movements. They will often play dead when threatened, a defense mechanism known as thanatosis. However, they are most effectively deterred by removing the things that attract them in the first place (food and shelter).
Will mothballs keep possums away?
Mothballs are not recommended for repelling possums. They are toxic to humans, pets, and the environment. There are safer and more effective methods to deter possums, such as securing food sources and eliminating hiding places.
Are possums dangerous to humans or pets?
Possums are generally not aggressive animals and are more likely to flee than to attack. However, they can bite or scratch if they feel threatened. They can also carry diseases, such as leptospirosis and coccidiosis, so it’s important to avoid direct contact. Pet owners should be careful about their pets interacting with possums to minimize the risk of disease transmission.
How can I humanely trap a possum?
Humane trapping should be a last resort and should only be done if other methods have failed. Use a live trap baited with fruit or peanut butter. Check the trap frequently (at least twice a day) and release the possum in a suitable location at least several miles away. Be sure to check your local laws regarding trapping and relocation of wildlife. Contacting animal control is always recommended first.
What does it mean when a possum hisses at you?
Hissing is a defensive behavior used by possums to scare away potential predators or perceived threats. It’s a warning signal indicating that the possum feels threatened and may attack if approached further. It’s best to give the possum space and allow it to move away on its own.
How long do possums live?
The average lifespan of a possum in the wild is only 1-2 years. This is due to various factors, including predation, road mortality, and disease. In captivity, with proper care, possums can live up to 5-7 years.
Are possums nocturnal?
Yes, possums are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. They spend the daylight hours sleeping in dens or sheltered locations.
Do possums carry rabies?
Possums are rarely infected with rabies due to their low body temperature. However, they can carry other diseases and parasites.
What should I do if I find an injured possum?
If you find an injured possum, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Contact your local animal control agency, wildlife rehabilitator, or veterinarian for assistance. They have the expertise and resources to safely handle and care for injured wildlife.
How do I keep possums out of my garden?
To keep possums out of your garden, use a combination of methods: install fencing around your garden, use motion-activated sprinklers, apply commercially available possum repellents, and remove any potential food sources.
Are possums beneficial to have around?
Yes, possums are beneficial in many ways. They control insect populations, consume snails and slugs, and help to control rodent populations. They also play a role in seed dispersal.
How do I tell the difference between a possum and an opossum?
“Possum” and “opossum” are often used interchangeably. Technically, “opossum” refers to the North American marsupial, while “possum” refers to similar marsupials found in Australia and New Guinea. In North America, it’s best to use “opossum”.