Opossum Control & Treatment
Do you have an opossum problem in or around your home? Contact us today to get rid of unwanted wildlife!
What are opossums?
Opossums are in the order Didelphimorphia and are the only marsupials native to the United States. Adult opossums are commonly 15 to 20 inches long, can weigh anywhere from 4 to 15 pounds, and live about 2 to 4 years depending on the species.
These mammals are known scavengers. This means that they raid homes, dumpsters, and wherever else they can find food. Along with what they can find in the garbage, opossums also eat grass, nuts, fruit, mice, insects, worms, and sometimes even chickens.
What kind of opossums are there?
You may be surprised to know that there are over 100 different opossum species in the world. However, there are two types of opossums that are found in North and South America, including:
- The Common Opossum: Found in Mexico, South America, and Central America
- The Virginia Opossum: Found in North America and Canada
Both the common opossum and the Virginia opossum have pink-tipped, cone-shaped noses, long hairless tails, and white, grey, and black fur.
What kind of damage do opossums cause?
Opossums often become pests in and around buildings. They may find shelter beneath dwellings or porches or even take up residence in attics or outbuildings.
Along with being unwanted visitors in your home, business, or other spaces, opossums frequently raid uncovered garbage cans and tear open plastic garbage bags. Their nighttime prowling habits can bother kenneled or tied dogs, causing them to bark. Additionally, in rural areas, opossums often prey upon poultry or eggs.
Keep in mind, that even though opossums are pests in or around your property, our main focus at Varment Guard is humane and safe removal of the animals.
How do I prevent opossums?
Opossums will set up shop near your home or business if they have access to food, water, and shelter. This means, the best way to prevent opossums is by depriving them of these things. Several preventative measures you can take include:
- Keeping pet food stored and sealed
- Cleaning and clearing brush piles by your home or business
- Securing pet doors—otherwise opossums will attempt to get into your home
- Sealing garbage cans
How can Varment Guard help with my opossum problem?
Although there are things you can do yourself to prevent opossums from causing damage in your yard or home, getting help from a wildlife control company is the best option for keeping these pests away.
The goal is to keep these critters away safely. That’s where Varment Guard comes in. To keep opossums at bay while keeping them alive and unharmed, our expert wildlife control team offers:
1. Opossum Trapping
Trapping is the preferred method of opossum removal. Opossums are most commonly caught by using live-catch wire cage traps. These traps are baited with a variety of scents that opossums find irresistible. These traps do not harm the opossums. Once caught, opossums are removed safely and humanely.
2. Opossum Exclusion
The most permanent way of correcting opossum problems is to remove their access to wherever they’re finding shelter. This can be done by the installation of a buried wire exclusion fence. The team at Varment Guard will properly install the fence around the area to be excluded and place a galvanized hardware cloth. This will prevent the re-entry of any persistent opossums, while allowing them to live freely and happily elsewhere!
To learn more, check out our exclusion services or get in touch with our expert wildlife team today!
Varment Guardian: The Ultimate Choice for Humane Control of Opossums & Other Wildlife
Opossums don't mean any harm. But that doesn't mean you want them in or around your property. That's why we make it a priority to provide the most humane opossum services.
When conflict occurs between people and wildlife, Varment Guard has always been there to provide resolution to all your wildlife issues. When an unwanted animal, like an opossum, invades your home, our wildlife professionals have the training and experience to find an effective, humane, and safe solution to your problem.
To learn more about Varment Guardian and our humane opossum services, get in touch with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do Opossums Want?
Opossums are on the lookout for two things: food and shelter. .They’re nocturnal foragers, so if you run into them, it’ll probably be at night near trash. Along with food and shelter, they also like warmth. To stay warm, opossums will make nests out of dry leaves, insulation, non-edible garbage, and more. Learn more!
How Can I Prevent Opossums?
You can prevent opossums by covering your trash, blocking off your deck, securing your garage, repairing household damage, trimming branches and bushes, and clearing your yard. Opossums can be quite tenacious. However, if you make accessing your home tough enough, they’ll move on pretty quickly. Read more!
How do I Keep Opossums Out of my Garden?
Maintaining your garden, installing a fence, and repelling opossums with smells they don’t like are great ways to keep these pesky pests out of your flowers and veggies. Mothballs, ammonia, garlic, and animal fur are all smells that repel opossums. Learn more on how to keep opossums out of your space!