Opossums are annoying, and finding one in an unwelcome spot around your house is no picnic. Homeowners may have issues with these nighttime animals if they allow themselves access to basements, attics, or spaces beneath decks. You may save your house from these unwanted visitors if you take the time to learn their habits and apply the appropriate treatments. With an emphasis on prevention, compassionate removal, and effective wildlife management, this blog will guide you through the optimal methods for dealing with opossum invasions.
Opossums and Their Habits
Learning about opossums is a prerequisite to dealing with an infestation. Nighttime is when opossums, a kind of marsupial, are at their most active. As scavengers by nature, their diet consists of a broad array of items such as fruits, insects, tiny animals, and even garbage. Their presence may cause damage and sanitary difficulties, although they do assist reduce pests like insects and ticks.
Common Signs of Opossum Activity
You must be aware of the presence of opossums at all times. Keep an eye out for things like gnawed food remnants, upturned garbage cans, and trails that might lead to potential nesting spots in basements, attics, or beneath decks. Opossum activity may also be detected by hearing rustling sounds in your attic at night or by seeing feces that resemble big, cylindrical pellets.
Impact of Opossums on Your Property
While opossums serve a valuable purpose—for example, by eliminating vermin and scavenging food scraps—they may be a nuisance when they decide to make their home in people’s yards. While they’re out foraging at night, they may wreak havoc on gardens and plants, knock over trash cans, and even weaken homes if they make their nests in the attic or basement.
Preventive Measures to Deter Opossums
To avoid having to cope with an opossum infestation, prevention is key. Several methods exist for warding them off:
Securing Food Sources
As opportunistic feeders, opossums may be easily attracted by placing food out in the open. Make sure all garbage cans have secured lids and keep pet food inside. Opossums might be tempted by fruit from fruit trees, therefore it’s important to quickly gather any fallen fruit. Also, make sure the compost containers are airtight to keep them out.
Modifying the Environment
For opossums to stay away from your property, it’s important to keep it clean. Overgrown trees and shrubs provide cover and make it simple for intruders to reach your house; prune them back. Because they may also lay their eggs in wood and brush heaps, you should clear them out. Seal any holes or gaps in your home’s crawl area, basement, or attic to keep unwanted pests out. Be sure to check your house for any openings that opossums may use to squeeze in.
Installing Barriers and Deterrents
When coupled with one-way entrances, fencing is a powerful deterrent against opossums entering your yard. Even if opossums manage to squeeze past these barriers, they will never be able to return to your home. When using chemical repellents, use caution since they aren’t always effective and may hurt animals and the environment.
Humane Methods for Handling Opossum Intrusions
Humane and efficient handling is of the utmost importance when preventative efforts have failed and an opossum has already made itself at home.
Live Trapping and Relocation
When getting rid of opossums, live trapping is a frequent technique. As an alternative, you may use a cage trap to catch the animal without hurting it. Set up the trap close to where you think the opossum has been recently, and be sure to check on it often. After capturing the opossum, it may be taken to a remote forest region away from your house. Never put the animal through unnecessary stress or danger by forgetting to release it quickly.
Seeking Professional Assistance
Get in touch with animal control experts if the issue doesn’t go away after you try to solve it on your own. Opossum removal is a complex and delicate process, but professionals in wildlife control have the training and equipment to handle the animals with care. Along with advising you on how to make your house less appealing to would-be burglars, they may assist you with sealing any potential entrance points. Hiring a professional opossum removal service is the best way to deal with the animal and keep your property safe.
Prevent Opossum Infestations: The Ultimate Guide to Securing Your Property
Opossum infestations are difficult to deal with, but they are preventable if you take preventative measures. The best approach to keep opossums at bay is to take preventative actions including removing food sources, cutting down vegetation, and sealing any access openings. To properly remove opossums and other animals, it is best to use humane techniques like live trapping and to hire a professional wildlife control service. You may live in harmony with nature while protecting your house with these methods.
Wildlife Warriors will manage opossums and other wildlife invaders in a professional and compassionate manner. No one does it better than our expert team when it comes to eradication, quarantine, and prevention. For a house free of animals and tranquility, contact us immediately! For a consultation, just visit our website or give us a call.
