Humane Opossums Removal

Opossums are pouched mammals with a long, pointed face, rat-like tail and their bodies covered with white or grayish hair. These nocturnal animals are as big as a cat and are solitary (they prefer to live alone except for the breeding period). These creatures can be quite annoying as pests as they not only “play ‘possum” but they might tear ducts and insulation after getting access into the house, dig up your yard, attack your pet birds and can spread diseases and parasites as well.

What Attracts Opossums?

These nomad creatures are great opportunists and do anything from scavenging the garbage and digging your garden to settling your garage. Overfull garbage cans or uncovered piles of dung and uncovered pet food might get their attention. They might try to settle in the garage or your attic for shelter.

Humane ways to Remove Opossums

Humane ways are preferable because these methods help in removing the animal without harming or hurting it.

1. Natural Ways

Natural ways include the removal of all the sources of attraction. Dealing with the things that attract the opossum is essential because these draw these creatures to your property in the first place. These methods may include;

I. Eliminate or seal sources of food

Keep pet food in tightly closed containers and use trash cans with locking systems or heavy lids. This will help in making an opossum leave your property on its own.

ii. Keep your garden or lawn clean

As these animals are scavengers, they might dig up your garden for a decomposing animal, pest, old food, food scraps, and fallen fruits and even for a snake in their quest for a perfect meal. Keep your backyard or lawn as clean as possible and make sure there are no piles of dung.

iii. Seal potential points of entry

Make sure to close all potential points of opossum entry because this animal might be looking for shelter. It might try to settle in the attic or garage. They can dig up your garden for nesting hole too. Make sure to keep chimney caps, attic, garden, broken window, and any hollow tree or log in the garden in check.



Other Ways

Other than natural ways, there are other methods for opossum expulsion. These might include;

I. Repellents and Deterrents

Home-made repellents like water and molasses solution, the smell of household ammonia on garbage, or a mixture of garlic and spices with soap solution work great. Some repellents in the market use predator’s urine as an active ingredient. Other repellents use harsh chemicals. Some electronic deterrents like Sprinkler that work on motion detection mechanisms are also effective.

ii. Trapping

Trapping is one of the best solutions that are humane and easy as well. No trap in the market is specifically designed for trapping opossum but traps like Havahart traps can be quite useful in this regard. The bait will lure the animal into the trap and then you can release it away from home.

iii. Fencing

Using the fence or screen mesh around the vegetation area where opossums are damaging your plants is a good idea. You can even fence your whole property to make it opossum-proof.

iv. Hiring professionals

You can hire a professional wildlife operator or a pest control operator to get rid of an opossum residing in your attics or garden. These people are more experienced and have strategies. You might even save money because this method might keep you from spending a wholesome amount of money on repellents, deterrents or other things.

Conclusion

An Opossum can be quite a nuisance once it gets access to your property in the pursuit of food or shelter. Getting rid of an opossum with cruel means just because it is a pest is not a good thing. Humane ways are easy and harmless for both humans and the opossum. Both natural and methods work efficiently in the removal of opossums.


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