A rustle in the garbage cans or a thump under the deck at night often means a possum has moved in. This guide explains how to get rid of possums humanely by making your property less appealing, evicting them safely, and knowing when to call a professional.
1. Are Possums Dangerous to Your Pets, Garden, or Home?
Possums, or Virginia opossums, are shy and generally nonaggressive. When threatened they hiss, drool, and open their mouths wide, and if that fails they play dead. They rarely, if ever, get rabies, and they eat insects, snails, slugs, and rodents.
That makes the real risks smaller than most people expect, but they are not zero. A defensive display is a bluff, so keep pets inside until the animal leaves.
- Pets: Fights with dogs and cats can cause serious bite injuries, especially when pets are outdoors at night or pet food is left out.
- Disease and parasites: Opossums can carry leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, fleas, ticks, and mites. The popular idea that they clear ticks from a yard rests on a weak study, so attracting them does not reduce ticks.
- Garden: They eat berries, grapes, fruit, and nuts, and their droppings can show up on paths and patios.
- Home: They den under decks, porches, and sheds, and in attics, garages, or crawlspaces when they can get in.
2. How to Get Rid of Possums Step by Step Without Hurting Them
Possums are nomadic and often leave on their own once food and shelter disappear.
When they do not, a careful sequence protects both your home and the animal. Here is how to get rid of possums in four steps, from least to most involved.
Remove Food and Shelter So the Spot Stops Being Attractive
Bring pet food indoors by nightfall, secure garbage lids with bungee cords or locking latches, and keep food scraps out of the compost.
Pick up fallen fruit, use bird feeders that do not drop seed, and close pet doors at night.
Cut back brush and overgrown shrubs, stack firewood tightly, and store lumber off the ground. Trim tree branches so they stay at least 5 feet from the roof edge.
If an animal is stuck in a window well, lean a thick branch or board inside so it can climb out.
Confirm the Den Is Empty Before You Seal It
Spread a thin 1/8-inch band of flour in front of the opening, or stuff newspaper in the hole, and check after dark for footprints or a moved plug.
Breeding peaks in winter and early summer in some regions, and young stay with the mother until about 14 weeks.
Never seal an entrance while young may be inside. If you find babies under 7 inches long, call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Seal the Den With Hardware Cloth and Block Roof Access
Once the den is empty, close it for good. Fasten 1/4-inch hardware cloth over openings under decks, porches, and sheds, and bury it up to 6 inches deep.
Where a possum is still inside, use a one-way door and leave it in place for at least a week. Check for tracks, then remove the door and seal the exit right away.
Add an L-shaped wire mesh footer along the base so nothing can dig back in, and prune branches and vines that give roof access.
Use a Live Trap Only When Eviction Fails and Local Rules Allow It
Trapping is a last resort. Rules vary by state and city, and relocation may need a permit, so call local wildlife officials first.
If trapping is allowed, use a box trap at least 10 by 12 by 32 inches, bait it with fruit or other sweet foods instead of fatty ones to reduce the chance of catching pets, and check it promptly.
Trapping also rarely solves the problem on its own, because other possums move into vacated areas and trapping can leave young behind.
>>> Read more: How to Get Rid of Skunks and Keep Them Away From Your Property
3. Do Repellents, Sprinklers, and Poisons Actually Work?
Almost every store-bought fix fails, and knowing why saves time on how to get rid of possums at home.
- Repellents: No commercial repellent has shown real results. Mothballs and ammonia are not recommended because of fumes and toxicity.
- Motion-activated sprinklers: They can startle a possum, but the effect often fades within days for an animal that has settled in.
- Frightening devices and ultrasonic gadgets: Scare devices are not effective, and there is no scientific evidence that ultrasonic devices work.
- Poisons: No toxicants are registered for opossums, and rodent poison should never be used on them. It can also harm pets and other wildlife.
4. When to Call a Wildlife Control Professional?
Some situations are beyond a weekend project. The right call at the right time is safe. Contact a licensed wildlife control operator if:
- The animal is inside the attic, chimney, crawlspace, or house.
- Babies may be present.
- You are uncomfortable handling trapping legally or safely.
- A pet was hurt or exposed.
A professional can handle a mother and young legally and humanely, work safely in tight attic spaces, and clean up heavy droppings.
Relocating wildlife without a permit can be illegal in some states, which is another reason to call.
Your state wildlife agency usually cannot remove animals itself, but it can name licensed professionals. Inspect for damaged wiring, insulation, and ductwork afterward.
>>> Read more: How to Get Rid of Voles in Your Yard Before They Cause Costly Damage
5. Final Thoughts
Possums are more nuisance than danger, and patience works better than force. The best answer to how to get rid of possums is to remove food and shelter, confirm the den is empty, seal it, and use traps only as a last step.
Avoid repellents and poisons, and call a professional when young, pets, or the house itself are involved. Check the repairs again after a couple of weeks, since a possum that finds a gap will often try again.
