What to Do If an Opossum Is in Your House: A Comprehensive Guide
Discovering an opossum in your home can be unsettling. Here’s a guide on what to do if opossum is in your house?, emphasizing safe, humane removal techniques that prioritize the animal’s well-being and prevent future intrusions.
Understanding the Opossum Intrusion
Opossums are nocturnal marsupials native to North America. While they’re generally harmless and beneficial to the environment, their presence inside your home can raise concerns about hygiene and potential damage. Understanding their behavior and motivation is the first step in effectively and humanely resolving the situation.
Why are Opossums Inside My House?
Opossums typically enter homes in search of food, shelter, or both. They may be attracted by:
- Pet food left outdoors or easily accessible.
- Unsecured garbage cans that provide an easy meal.
- Available nesting sites in attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
- Openings in your home’s foundation or roof that allow entry.
These factors, combined with their adaptability and resourcefulness, can lead an opossum to venture indoors.
Safe Removal Techniques: The Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing what to do if opossum is in your house? involves a strategic and humane approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Contain the Area: Isolate the opossum to a single room, if possible. Close any doors leading to other parts of the house. This will make the removal process easier and prevent the opossum from running and hiding further inside.
- Create an Escape Route: Open a door or window leading to the outside world in the room where the opossum is confined. If it’s dark outside, you can place a light outside the opening to help guide the opossum.
- Provide Time and Space: Leave the opossum alone. Opossums are generally timid creatures and will likely try to escape on their own if given the opportunity. Monitor the situation from a distance.
- Nighttime is Best: Since opossums are nocturnal, they are most likely to leave when it is dark and quiet. Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements that could scare the opossum and cause it to hide.
- Alternative (Humane Trap): If the opossum doesn’t leave on its own, you can use a humane trap. Place the trap near where you suspect the opossum is entering or frequenting. Bait the trap with fruit or wet cat food.
- Release the Opossum: Once trapped, release the opossum in a safe, wooded area away from your home. Ideally, this should be within a few miles of your property to avoid disrupting their established territory too drastically.
- Seal Entry Points: After the opossum has left, thoroughly inspect your home for potential entry points. Seal any cracks, holes, or gaps in your foundation, walls, and roof.
Preventative Measures: Keeping Opossums Out
Prevention is key to avoiding future opossum encounters. Here’s how to deter opossums from entering your property:
- Secure your garbage cans: Use lids that latch securely and store the cans in a garage or shed whenever possible.
- Remove food sources: Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and clean up any spilled birdseed or fallen fruit in your yard.
- Trim vegetation: Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed to reduce hiding places around your home.
- Seal entry points: Regularly inspect your home for cracks and holes, and seal them promptly.
- Consider deterrents: Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can discourage opossums from approaching your property.
What Not To Do: Avoiding Mistakes
When dealing with an opossum in your house, avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t attempt to handle the opossum directly. They can bite or scratch if they feel threatened.
- Don’t corner the opossum. This can increase their fear and lead to aggressive behavior.
- Don’t use poison. This is inhumane and can also harm other animals or even children.
- Don’t relocate the opossum far from its original territory. This can disrupt the local ecosystem and reduce the opossum’s chances of survival.
- Don’t ignore the problem. Opossums can cause damage and spread disease, so it’s important to address the situation promptly.
When to Call a Professional
While you can often handle an opossum encounter yourself, there are situations where professional assistance is recommended:
- If you are uncomfortable handling the situation.
- If the opossum is injured or appears sick.
- If you suspect the opossum has established a nest in your home.
- If you are unable to identify and seal entry points.
A wildlife removal specialist has the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely remove the opossum and prevent future intrusions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the risks associated with having an opossum in my house?
Opossums can carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and coccidiosis. While they are relatively resistant to rabies, they can still transmit it, though it’s rare. Additionally, they can carry fleas, ticks, and mites, which can infest your home. It’s important to address the situation quickly to minimize these risks.
How can I tell if an opossum is living in my attic or crawl space?
Signs of an opossum living in your attic or crawl space include unusual noises (especially at night), droppings, and a musky odor. You may also find disturbed insulation or nesting materials. If you suspect an infestation, it’s important to investigate promptly and take appropriate action.
Is it legal to trap and relocate opossums?
Laws regarding trapping and relocating opossums vary by state and local jurisdiction. Some areas may require a permit, while others may prohibit relocation altogether. Always check with your local wildlife agency before attempting to trap or relocate an opossum.
What is the best bait to use in a humane trap?
Opossums are attracted to a variety of foods, including fruit, vegetables, and meat. Good options for baiting a humane trap include fruit like apples or bananas, wet cat food, or marshmallows. Experiment to see what works best in your area.
How can I protect my pets from opossums?
Keep pet food indoors, especially at night. Supervise your pets when they are outdoors, and ensure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Consider fencing your yard to prevent opossums from entering.
What does opossum poop look like?
Opossum droppings are similar in appearance to dog or cat feces, but they often contain undigested food such as seeds, fur, or insect parts. They are typically dark brown or black in color and about 2-3 inches long. If you find opossum droppings in or around your home, it’s important to clean them up carefully to prevent the spread of disease.
Are opossums dangerous to humans?
Opossums are generally not aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened. If cornered, they may hiss, growl, or even bite. It’s best to avoid direct contact with opossums and let them leave on their own.
How long do opossums typically stay in one place?
Opossums are transient animals and typically don’t stay in one place for long. They may den in an area for a few days or weeks, but they are constantly on the move in search of food and shelter. This makes it even more important to seal off entry points once one leaves.
What is “playing possum,” and why do they do it?
“Playing possum” is a defensive behavior in which an opossum feigns death when threatened. They may roll onto their side, open their mouth, and even secrete a foul-smelling fluid to deter predators. This behavior is an involuntary response to extreme stress.
Will mothballs or ammonia deter opossums?
While some people use mothballs or ammonia to deter opossums, these substances are not effective and can be harmful to humans and pets. It’s best to use humane and safe methods of deterrence, such as removing food sources and sealing entry points.
What should I do if I find a baby opossum?
If you find a baby opossum that appears orphaned or injured, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance. Do not attempt to care for the baby opossum yourself, as they require specialized care.
How often should I check my property for potential entry points?
It’s a good idea to inspect your property for potential entry points at least twice a year, in the spring and fall. Regular inspections can help you identify and seal any cracks or holes before opossums (or other animals) move in. This is the best way to prevent future occurrences of what to do if opossum is in your house?.