How to Control Opossum, a Garden Animal Pest

About Opossum

Opossums are a real nuisance to homeowners, and especially home gardeners. Their diet is quite varied. Like Raccoons, Opossums are scavengers in garbage cans. Often, you can see these climbers at night hanging upside down by their tails, munching on peaches, grapes, or other fruits. If you have a garden, use this guide to learn how to control opossums.

Possums, as they are also called, are marsupials. Similar to kangaroos, female opossum nurtures their young in the mother’s pouch. There are about 60 species of Opossum.

While some people consider them “cute”, others see them as ugly and rat-like. Their long, bare tail, gives this appearance.

Opossum Lifestyle and Habitat

Opossums are found throughout North America. They grow to about 2 1/2 feet from nose to tail and weigh 8-13 pounds.

Opossums are generally nocturnal. On occasion, you see them during daytime hours. They live in the woods but are increasingly comfortable in suburban neighborhoods. These opportunistic animals scavenge for human food left in garbage cans, as well as dog and cat pet foods left outdoors.

Opossums make their home in a hole in a tree or simply move into the abandoned nest of another animal.

“Playing Possum” – A survival technique for a Possum is to roll over and play dead. When threatened, a possum will roll onto its side and lie perfectly still, with its eyes either closed or open and staring. It will sometimes extend its tongue, all to appear to be dead.

Opossum's Diet

Opossums eat a wide variety of foods, including:

Carrion- a wide variety of dead animals
Animals – birds, frogs, snakes, maggots
Earthworms
Nuts
Chickens – they have been known to invade chicken coops
Fruits – grapes and peaches are particular favorites
Vegetables
Mushrooms
Human foods – they will scavenge in your garbage can if allowed
Pet foods – Surprisingly, they are fond of dog and cat pet foods left outside.

How to Control Opossum

There are limited methods for controlling Opossums. Possums are climbers. As a result, fences and screens are of little use. They will chew through plastic garden netting. Consequently, the methods of controlling raccoons are limited.

Here are some Possum control methods that will help you to get rid of them:

1. Trapping: Hav-a-hart traps effectively capture Opossums. Once they are trapped, many towns will take them away for you.

Best bait: Try grapes, peaches, canned dog food.

Important: Before you trap any animals, check local laws. Many localities allow you to trap animals and pests. Your Animal Control Department may even supply the trap. But, you are not allowed to transfer or release an animal into another area. In this case, your Animal Control Department must be notified for Opossum removal.

3. Hunting: If you can hunt in your area, this will obviously work….. if you are a good shot. Check local laws, for rules and regulations.

4. Eliminate food sources: – If food is scarce, they will move out of the area.

5. Repellents: It must be applied regularly and after rain.