Opossums are generally harmless, but they can be a nuisance if they go through trash cans looking for food or make their home inside a shed or garage. If opossums are living in your yard, you may be able to get rid of them yourself. Here are some strategies you can try.
Get Rid of Food Sources
Opossums are attracted to places where they can find food. If you leave trash or pet food outdoors, it can attract opossums looking for an easy meal. You can make your yard less attractive to opossums by eliminating food sources. Put your trash cans outside as close to pickup time as possible and cover them with tight-fitting lids. Don’t leave pet food outdoors overnight, when opossums are active. If you have fruit trees in your yard, pick up fruit that falls on the ground to avoid attractive opossums.
Use Smells to Get Rid of Opossums
You can discourage opossums from living in your yard by using smells to get rid of them. You can pour some ammonia in a coffee can and place a rag inside or scatter mothballs in your yard to get rid of opossums.
Eliminate Shelter
Opossums also live in yards if they can find shelter there. One place where they often seek out shelter is in a pile of brush or firewood. If you have a brush pile in your yard, get rid of it. Store firewood inside your house or in a shed behind a closed door to keep opossums away.
Seal off Entry Points
If opossums are living under your shed or deck, you can seal off the entry points to keep them out. Do this at night when you are sure that they have all left. You can seal off the entry points with chicken wire or hardware cloth. Bury the fencing at least 6 inches deep so the opossums cannot dig under it.
Have the Opossums Trapped and Relocated by Anderson Wildlife Control
If these methods don’t work, you have another option. You can have the opossums trapped and relocated. You should not try to do this yourself because a frightened opossum can bite.
Call the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control. We have experience with trapping and relocating opossums from homes in Connecticut. We use humane and safe methods that will not harm the animals or the environment. Contact us today for an estimate.
