A Comprehensive Guide to Opossum Removal

Opossums often earn the dubious accolade of being North America’s only marsupial but ask any homeowner and they’ll tell you that unique designation hardly makes these nocturnal creatures welcome in their homes. With their well-documented tendency to seek warmth and shelter in attics, garages, and crawl spaces, the opossum can swiftly transform from an intriguing backyard specter into a not-so-welcome household invader.

Whether you’re startled to find one rummaging through your garbage cans or have become all too familiar with the sounds of scurrying feet in your ceiling, the need for opossum removal can quickly become a priority for many property owners. But how does one effectively and humanely deal with these creatures who sometimes seem just as baffled by their location as you are disgruntled by their presence?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore the world of opossums from the inside out, discover the tell-tale signs of an infestation, assess the effectiveness of DIY control methods versus professional services, and discuss the ongoing animal-proofing strategies that will keep these critters at arm’s length.

Call 317-875-3099 for Licensed and Insured Opossum Removal in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 317-875-3099 for Licensed and Insured Opossum Removal in Indianapolis Indiana

Understanding Opossum Behavior

Before you can successfully evict an opossum from your property, it helps to comprehend their habits and preferences. Opossums, being primarily nocturnal, can often go unnoticed until their nighttime ramblings bring them into the range of your floodlight or under the glow of your kitchen window.

Nocturnal Habits

Their night-centric lifestyle is not merely a matter of preference; it’s a survival strategy. Opossums have a lower body temperature than most mammals, and nighttime activities help conserve energy. This means that when you’re winding down for the day, they’re just warming up for a night of foraging.

Diet Preferences

Opossums are omnivores, with a diet that spans the full smorgasbord of the living and the dead. Their culinary inclinations are broad enough to include insects, fruits, vegetables, small mammals, and carrion. This adaptability is one reason why they’ve managed to spread across a wide variety of habitats.

Nesting Areas

When the lights are out and the world is sleeping, opossums are in pursuit of a secure place to call home. They’ll seek out abandoned burrows or opt to create their own dens to rear their young (called joeys). This nesting behavior is what often leads them into human habitations.

Signs of Opossum Infestation

Are you unknowingly playing host to a marsupial squatter? Here are some key signs that you might be sharing your space with an opossum.

Visual Identification

Seeing an opossum skulking around your yard at night is one thing, but it’s their presence inside your home that often causes the most concern. Since they’re largely nocturnal, catching a glimpse of one during the day could indicate they’ve found a cozy place to rest in an unused area of your property.

Noises and Tracks

The sounds of opossum activity can vary, but commonly include scratching, scuttling, and gnawing. Thumping sounds could also mean an opossum is clumsily navigating your attic or walls. When it comes to tracks, opossums have distinctive five-toed prints on each foot, easily identifiable if you can catch a glimpse of undisturbed dust or dirt.

Damage to Property

Opossums can be surprisingly heavy-footed and destructive, especially if they feel cornered or threatened. They might tear up insulation for nesting material, chew through electrical wires, or accidentally knock over items as they attempt to make their way through your home’s interior.

DIY Opossum Control Methods

If your property is opossum-prone, there are some tactical and preventative opossum control measures you can take to dissuade their interest.

Securing Trash Cans

One of the most accessible food sources for an opossum is your trash. Using bins with tight-fitting lids or even latching lids can prevent access to a readily available buffet.

Sealing Entry Points

Do a thorough inspection of your home, looking for any gaps or openings that an opossum could use for entry. Remember, these critters are quite agile and can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps.

Using Animal Repellents

There are various non-toxic animal repellents you can deploy to keep opossums at bay. These range from pungent sprays to ultrasonic devices that emit a sound only animals can hear.

Professional Possum Removal Services

When the problem seems to be out of your hands or potentially dangerous, it’s time to outsource professional wildlife removal services.

Benefits of Hiring a Wildlife Removal Company

Professional services bring a wealth of experience and the proper tools to the job, ensuring the responsive yet cautious removal of opossums. Many of these services are also well-versed in local regulations regarding wild animal handling.

Risks Associated with DIY Possum Removal

Opossums can carry pathogens and parasites, and if they feel threatened, they might bite or attack in defense. Attempting to remove them without the proper training can put you at risk of disease or injury.

Animal Proofing Measures

Prevention is often the best cure, so once your opossum dilemma has been resolved, it’s time to take measures to keep them from coming back.

Maintenance Tips

Keep your property in good repair, fixing any damage to the exterior that could provide entry for opossums. This includes repairing fences, sealing gaps, and securing access points to basements, attics, and crawl spaces.

Landscaping Considerations

Opossums are attracted to areas with a dense cover, such as overgrown shrubs and wood or brush piles. By keeping your landscaping tidy, you reduce the allure of your yard as a potential opossum residence.

Ongoing Vigilance

Regular inspections and maintenance of your property can catch potential opossum issues before they become full-blown problems.

Conclusion

Removing opossums from your property can be a challenging task, but with the right knowledge and proactive approach, it’s entirely feasible. Quick action is key, as opossums are clever survivors, and the longer they remain on your property, the more challenging their removal can become. By understanding their habits, recognizing the signs of infestation, and taking appropriate control measures, you’ll be equipped to handle the situation effectively. Whether you choose to tackle the problem alone or seek professional assistance, the goal remains the same: to restore your home to a peaceful, opossum-free state.

Hopefully this blog post has helped provide useful information on nuisance possum issues. Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured opossum removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

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10 Tips on How to Humanely Get Rid of Opossums

Do you have opossums living in or around your property? If so, you may be wondering how to humanely get rid of them. Opossums can cause a variety of problems, from digging up gardens and raiding trash cans to introducing parasites and other pests into your home. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to safely remove these animals from your property without causing them harm.

In this blog post, we discuss 10 tips for getting rid of opossums humanely. With the right knowledge and approach, it is possible to keep both yourself and the animals safe while ensuring that they don’t return again in the future. Continue below to delve in!

Call 615-337-9165 For Licensed Opossum Removal and Control in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 615-337-9165 For Licensed Opossum Removal and Control in Indianapolis Indiana

Opossum Removal and Control Tips You Need to Know

1. Block Them Out

Block off any possible entrances to your home or property. This is the first step in opossum control, as it will prevent them from coming back once they have been removed. Check around your foundation walls and chimneys for gaps or openings that an animal might be able to squeeze through, and seal these off with wire mesh or hardware cloth.

2. Remove All Food and Water Sources

Remove food sources that may attract opossums to your property. If you have pet food outside, garden produce, compost piles, bird feeders, or other edible items that could serve as a meal for an opossum family, make sure these are secured away where the animals can’t get to them.

3. Illuminate Active Areas

 Install lighting at night or motion-activated lights around your yard, as opossums are nocturnal and will be less likely to come onto your property if they know they can be seen.

4. Trap Them – (only if your state allows)

If your state allows non-permitted individuals to trap and relocate wildlife, you can attempt this method: Set up a live trap and bait it with something the animal will find irresistible – this could be anything from fruits and vegetables to pet food or fish. Once an opossum has been caught in the trap, you can relocate it away from your home using a carrying box or cage.

5. Deter Them With Repellent

Use repellents such as predator urine, mothballs, ammonia-soaked rags, or other smells that are unpleasant for opossums but won’t harm them. These should be placed near potential entry points, such as around your foundations or in your garden, to deter the animals from coming back.

6. Outsource Licensed Opossum Control

Call a professional Indianapolis wildlife removal company for opossum control services if all else fails. They will know how to humanely and safely remove opossums from your property without putting you or them at risk.

7. Learn More About Nuisance Wildlife

Educate yourself on how to protect yourself against any diseases that opossums may carry – this includes washing your hands after handling anything that an opossum may have touched and wearing protective clothing when dealing with them directly.

8. Know the Law

Be aware of the laws governing the trapping and relocation of wildlife in your area, as some places may require permits for such activities or restrict where you can release relocated animals.

9. Stay On Top of Outdoor Maintenance

Take extra steps to prevent a recurrence of the problem. This may include eliminating any standing water sources around your property, sealing up any holes or cracks in your foundation walls that could provide entry for animals, and trimming back overhanging tree branches that may be providing shelter for opossums.

10. Implement an Animal Proofing Plan

Consider hiring a professional wildlife expert to assess your property and provide advice on how best to protect it against opossums in the future – this includes identifying potential entry points and recommending ways you can prevent their return once they have been removed from your home.

In Summary

By following these tips, you can humanely get rid of opossums from your property and keep them away for good! Remember to always use caution when dealing with wild animals, and if you’re ever uncertain of what to do, contact a professional wildlife removal service for assistance.

Are opossums becoming a nuisance around your residential or commercial property in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured opossum removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

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Tips for Keeping Opossums Out of Your Yard and Garden

Opossums, also known as possums, are nocturnal marsupials that can become a nuisance in your yard and garden. They often scavenge for food around the home, leaving behind messes and even damaging property. If you’re having trouble keeping opossums away from your yard and garden, below are some tips to help deter them. With a few simple steps, it is possible to keep opossum populations at bay and prevent future problems with these animals.

Call 615-337-9165  for Licensed and Insured Opossum Removal Services in Nashville TN
Call 615-337-9165 for Licensed and Insured Opossum Removal Services in Nashville TN

Professional Opossum Removal

One of the most effective ways to keep opossums away is through wildlife removal. If you can identify where the opossums are accessing your yard, install barriers such as fences or screens that will prevent them from entering. Additionally, it’s important to remove potential food sources like garbage and pet food from the area so they don’t have a reason to come back. You may also need to contact a professional wildlife control specialist or even your local animal control department in order to take care of any existing opossum populations.

Opossum Repellent

Another strategy for keeping opossums out is by using repellents. Repellents work by creating an unpleasant environment that discourages animals from entering an area. There are several different types of opossum repellents available commercially, such as sonic devices, scent-based products, and even chemical solutions. Always be sure to read the directions on any product before use to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Environmental Modification

Finally, you can also take proactive measures in order to help keep opossums away from your yard and garden. Trim back any overgrown vegetation that might provide cover for these animals, eliminate standing water sources that could act as a breeding ground for them, and clear away debris piles where they may seek refuge.

Conclusion

By following these tips for keeping opossums out of your yard and garden, you can successfully deter these nuisance creatures while still respecting their natural habitat. With a little extra effort and diligence, you can rest assured that your outdoor space will be safe from opossums for years to come.

Key Takeaways:

► Remove potential food sources and install barriers such as fences or screens to prevent opossums from entering the area.

► Use commercial repellents, such as sonic devices, scent-based products, and chemical solutions.

► Trim back vegetation, eliminate standing water sources, and clear away debris piles in order to make the area less desirable for opossums.

► Contact a professional Nashville wildlife control specialist if necessary.

Homemade Possum Repellent Recipe

Opossums are cute but troublesome animals when they invade your property. They love to rummage through your trash cans and destroy your garden while looking for food. Luckily, a homemade repellent can discourage them from making your yard their playground. One of the most effective homemade repellents is a mixture of cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and water. These ingredients commonly found in your kitchen will create a potent smell and taste that opossums will not tolerate. Make sure to spray this repellent around the areas where opossums frequently visit to keep them at bay. With the right repellent recipe, you can have a peaceful and garden-friendly yard!

Hopefully this blog post has helped provide useful information on controlling possum populations. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee animal removal for opossums and more.

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The Top 5 Nuisance Animals in the Fall Season

Fall is a time when many animals are preparing for winter. Some animals, such as squirrels and deer, are known for being nuisances during this time of year. Continue reading to brush up on some important tips on how to deal with these Fall season nuisance animals.

For Nuisance Animal Removal in Indianapolis, Call 317-875-3099 Today!
For Nuisance Animal Removal in Indianapolis, Call 317-875-3099 Today!

Common Nuisance Wildlife to Watch Out For This Season and the Next

Squirrels and Chipmunks

If you have squirrels or chipmunks in your yard, try to keep them away by removing any food sources that they may be attracted to. Optimal squirrel control includes keeping your garbage can lid securely fastened and not leaving bird seed or other food out in the open.

Deer

In many parts of the country, deer have become a nuisance. They wander into yards and gardens, eat plants, and damage property. If deer are a problem, you can try using deer repellent or fencing to keep them away from your property.

Raccoons

If raccoons are raiding your garbage cans, make sure to keep the lids securely fastened. You may also want to consider investing in a raccoon-proof garbage can. Furthermore, raccoon diseases can be deadly, so it is important to be aware of them if you live in an area where they reside.

Opossums

If you have a problem with opossums, make sure to remove any potential food sources from your property. Opossums are attracted to garbage, so keeping your garbage can lid securely fastened is important.

All Other Nuisance Animals

If you have any other nuisance animals on your property, contact a professional wildlife control company for assistance.

How to Protect Your Home Against Wildlife Damages and Threats

As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, you may start to notice some of these unwelcome guests around your home. Raccoons, opossums, skunks, squirrels, and several other types of nuisance animals are looking for a warm place to nest and can cause damage to your property. Here are some tips to keep them away:

▷ Inspect your home for cracks or holes that could be used as an entrance. Seal up any openings with caulk or other materials.

▷ Keep your yard clean and free of debris. This will make it less attractive to animals looking for a place to build a nest.

▷ If you have bird feeders, keep them clean and free of moldy seed. This can attract rodents looking for a food source.

▷ Keep your trash cans sealed tight and don’t leave any food out where animals can get to it.

▷ If you have a fireplace, make sure the flue is closed when not in use. This will prevent animals from entering your home through the chimney.

Following these tips will help you keep nuisance animals away from your home this fall and winter. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a licensed and insured Indianapolis wildlife control company for assistance.

All of these tips are possible with the help of our licensed and insured Indiana wildlife control operators. Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured wildlife removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

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Opossums Facts That Will Stop You in Your Tracks

Even though opossums have a bad reputation, they are actually quite fascinating. For instance, did you know that opossums are a type of marsupial, just like kangaroos? Or that they are one of the Earth’s oldest surviving mammals that has thrived for more than 70 million years? See? Opossums really are interesting! Continue below to learn about opossums so that you may better understand these highly misunderstood mammals!

Opossum Critter Control Indianapolis Indiana 317-875-3099
Opossum Critter Control Indianapolis Indiana 317-875-3099

Nuisance Opossums and the Damage They Can Do

Here in the United States, opossums are known as scavengers and for good reason. Their very basic and non-specialized biology combined with their flexible diet and steadfast reproductive system makes them very successful at rapid colonization, plus allows them to survive in a wide range of locations and conditions. Consequently, opossums are a common pest problem for various suburban and city areas across the country.

Opossums are notorious for digging up gardens and lawns, pillaging garbage cans, devouring any outdoor food (including pet food and livestock feed), tearing through home siding, building dens underneath porches, and much more. The amount of damage they can cause is limitless, and the longer they are present, the more damage they can do.

All of these reasons are important to consider if you have a possum problem or infestation on your property. It is important to contact a local and trusted Indianapolis wildlife removal company for non-lethal opossum removal services.

Noteworthy Facts About Opossums

Aside from being a pest, there are some worthy attributes and characteristics about opossums that are interesting to learn. Perhaps they are a huge pest problem in many areas, but in the wild, they are just another mammal living in harmony with their surrounding Eco-system. Here’s some notable facts to start with:

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is also known as the North American opossum. It is the only species of opossum in the United States. Their name stems from the Algonquin word “apasum” meaning white animal, given by Captain John Smith in 1608.

Opossums are basically a step above omnivorous, as they will eat almost anything, including roadkill, dead animals, bugs, rodents, small birds, eggs, frogs, plants, fruits, grains, pet food, and human food scraps. They will even eat skeletal remains for calcium.

Opossums live in agricultural areas, woodlands, rural, urban, and suburban areas. They are generally solitary and nomadic, staying in one place until the food and water run out.

Opossums are nocturnal and crepuscular mammals. They are active from dusk to dawn.

Opossums are marsupials and “pouch” their young. Yes, just like kangaroos!

Opossums are incredible climbers and use their long, bald tail for balancing and handing upside down.

When threatened or injured, opossums will “play possum” by lying still and pretending to be dead. They might also belch, growl, urinate, or defecate.

Opossums have 50 sharp teeth and sharp claws. They are not aggressive by nature but can appear very menacing.

Are opossums becoming a nuisance around your residential or commercial property in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured opossum removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

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Where to Find Opossum Removal and Control Service in Nashville

Are you dealing with a nuisance possum problem? Have you been searching for licensed and insured opossum removal and control services near Nashville? If so, you have finally made it to the right spot. We are fully qualified and equipped critter control specialists with more than 30 years of experience solve nuisance opossum problems. Continue below to learn more about managing nuisance possums, plus how to get started with a free quote for service.

Opossum Control Nashville Tennessee 615-337-9165
Opossum Control Nashville Tennessee 615-337-9165

Facts About Opossums

Opossums are marsupials, just like kangaroos! Although they are a fascinating and unique mammal native here in Tennessee, they are evolving into quite the nuisance critter in urban and suburban areas. Mostly due to land over-development and loss of natural habitat, opossums have been pushed out of their own environment and into ours. So more than ever, possums are accustomed to surviving by means of scavenging our community’s dumpsters, trashcans, garbage receptacles, gardens, flowerbeds, and more. In more rural communities, they have been known to prey on chicken coups for the eggs. Their scavenging behaviors are messy and unpleasant, but they are also destructive. Opossums are known to dig up lawns, gardens, flowerbeds, and flowerpots.

Stopping Possum Intrusions

Opossums find their way into backyards, homes, and businesses with the help of their acute senses and long, sharp claws. Common places opossums like to use as shelter are beneath patios and porches. They also love to hide out in log piles, pool houses, and hollowed trees. If you come across an opossum, there is not much to worry about. They are aggressive in appearance with their hissing and howling, but they are not likely to actually approach you, let alone attack you or your pets.

To keep opossums out of your house and off of your property, you will need to start with some environmental modifications. Remove all outdoor food sources that can be taken inside, like pet food, bird/squirrel feed, and trashcans. Only take your trashcan’s outside on the day of garbage collection. Trashcans are a prime target for all sorts of nuisance wildlife, especially opossums. If possible, remove water sources like bird baths and standing puddles.

Next, you will need to implement some animal-proofing strategies. This may include some minor renovations like sealing up holes and access points on the exterior of your home and outdoor structures. It may also include treating your property’s perimeter with a non-toxic critter control repellent spray or granular substance. Once your property has nothing to offer them, opossums will move onto more fruitful territory.

All of this is possible with the help of a licensed and insured wildlife control company in Tennessee like Budget Animal Removal Nashville. Contact us at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, TN critter control for opossums and more. We serve commercial clients, too!  

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Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165
Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165

Top Tips for Opossum Critter Control

It is never a good sign to spot a possum on your property for a number of reasons. Not only are they known carriers of infectious diseases, but they also cause landscaping and property damages too. Gardens, lawns, gutters, roofs, trashcans, and more are all common areas of a property damaged by opossums and other nuisance wildlife. Also, opossums do not like to travel far, which means if you see one, its den is most likely somewhere close by. For this reason and more, it is wise to implement some methods to keep opossum off your property.

Continue reading to learn the most effective tips for opossum critter control, and what you can do if nothing seems to work.

Indianapolis Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099
Indianapolis IN Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099

How to Get Rid of Opossums on Your Property

In contrast to common belief, opossums are not rodents. They are marsupials native to North America. At full adulthood, opossums can weigh on average around 15 pounds and measure up to two feet in length. This is about the same size of a small dog. This alone can alarm anyone who crosses paths with an opossum since many assume they are the size of rats or rabbits. Although not an animal known for viciousness, it can attack and bite in self-defense if it feels threatened. This is a bad scenario since possums can be carriers of infectious diseases.

Remove All Food and Water

The first step to keeping possums off your property is to remove all sources of food, water, and shelter. To accomplish this, remove all pet food, bird seed, squirrel feeders, water bowls, trashcans, and any other types of food and water. Since opossums are nocturnal, be sure to only take your trashcans out to the curb on the morning of pickup day.

Mind Your Garbage Cans

Opossums will dig through garbage bags and rummage through all the trash in search of food scraps. Eliminating this common possum attraction and others can reduce the frequency at which they visit your property. You may also install motion sensor lighting and sound machines to scare nocturnal wildlife away.

Fence in Your Gardens

Since you don’t want to remove the fruits and vegetables in your garden, install a fence around it instead. This will divert various types of wildlife from accessing and eating all the crops. Try sprinkling clove oil or cinnamon around the perimeter of your garden for a natural wildlife repellent.

Seal Off All Accessible Shelters

As for shelter, opossums like to make their dens in hidden places, safe from predators. When it comes to residential properties, common areas to inspect are underneath decks and porches. If there are animals living beneath certain areas of your home, they need to be drawn out with bait, and then the opening of that area needs sealed. This will make opossums move on and find new shelter elsewhere since they are unable to return to their spot. Use marshmallows, boiled eggs, or canned tuna fish to lure them out of hiding, then use that time to seal up their access points.

Stick With Routine Tree Care

Opossums are great climbers and will also use trees for shelter and protection. They can climb trees and access rooftops if tree limbs can reach the top of the house. Once nuisance wildlife has access to your roof, they can find access inside attics or cause major shingle damage. Trim tree limbs that are close or against your house. This will eliminate access to your roof and remove a likely hang-out spot for possums.

When You Can’t Get Opossums to Go Away

Contact a local Indianapolis wildlife removal and control company for professional help getting rid of pesky opossums. They retain the proper tools, training, and resources to exclude nuisance wildlife and prevent their return. Some companies even offer minor attic and crawl space restorations and other repairs caused by animal damage.

Are you looking for trusted and professional critter control services you can afford? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of opossums in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Budget Animal Removal

How to Get Rid of an Opossum Problem in Nashville

Opossums are classified as one of the largest nuisance rodent species in Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Because of their size, opossums are capable of doing damage on a much larger scale, compared to other types of nuisance rodents, like mice and rats. Not only can opossums cause an extreme amount of damage to a property, but they also pose several health and safety risks. If you suspect that you have a nocturnal critter wreaking havoc on your property, it very well could be an opossum.

Continue reading to learn how to identify opossum activity, including how to get them to go away for good.

North American Opossum (Virginia Opossum) foraging in a residential property backyard. Santa Clara County, California, USA.

Risks Associated With Opossum Activity and Interference

You do not want opossums hanging around on your property and getting too comfortable. Outside, possums can destroy lawns and gardens in search of anything edible. They will dig up sod, rip apart lawns, tear out plants, and pillage gardens. They will also cause structural damages to fences, roofing, siding, and more. They are excellent climbers, so they can access and damage roofs, and ultimately attics. Indoors, opossums can cause even more damage. Their droppings will soil everything it comes into contact with, and they will rip down insulation for nesting.

In terms of health and safety, opossums can carry and spread diseases (coccidiosis, tuberculosis, lice, etc.) and parasites, which can be transmitted to both people and pets. They can also bite and scratch, which can cause injuries and infections. In the case of an infestation, their urine and droppings can pose several hygienic complications, and even cause lingering odors and stains in the living quarters of your home. Basically, you do not want opossums accessing your home, inside or out.

Where Possums Hide Out

Opossums are nocturnal, so they will do their dirty work behind your back, but right under your nose. The places they will likely target on your property are places where they can hide, such as log piles, compost heaps, playgrounds, tree houses, sheds, garages, open wall voids, basement spaces, and more. They are usually alone, or accompanied by one other opossum; but even in these small groups, they can cause massive amounts of destruction.

Opossums are Likely the Target Nuisance Animal if You Notice:

🐾 Exterior Siding or Roof Damage – Opossums will climb anything they can, leaving behind scratched siding, torn roofing, missing roof shingles, and similar types of exterior structural damages.

🐾 Missing Pet Food – Opossums love dog and cat food. If you have outdoor pet dishes, and notice that the food continues to disappear night after night, it could be a thieving opossum.

🐾 Noisy Nights – Opossums make a lot of noise as they use vocalizations to communicate. They make shrieking and hissing sounds, and even make licking or lip smacking sounds to summon their babies.

🐾 Scratching Sounds – Opossums also make scratching noises when they are making their nests. As they scurry around ripping apart nesting materials, you will hear scratching and more.

🐾 Lingering Odors – Opossums, as mentioned, cover everything with droppings. If you have an opossum infestation, you will likely experience foul, lingering odors in the living areas of your home.

How to Get Rid of Opossums

Opossums are not naturally scared of or intimidated by humans, which makes them more of a challenge to abate. For this reason, and for reasons of safety, it is vital that you contact our TWRA licensed and insured Nashville Tennessee animal removal company for safe and humane assistance. We use non-lethal methods and best practices for opossum removal, and adhere to all state and federal laws that govern wildlife abatement. Trust us to get rid of opossums, repair the damages they left behind, and employ proven strategies to prevent them from coming back.

Call Budget Animal Removal Nashville at 615-337-9165 to speak with a knowledgeable office manager about wildlife removal and control assistance in Nashville, Tennessee, and get a free quote today.

Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165
Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165

What to Do if You See an Opossum in Your Yard

If you have never seen an opossum up close before, it might startle you to see one in your yard. They are quite unattractive critters, with patchy white fur, pointy snouts that border prehistoric, and hairless tails that look similar to that of a rat. But it’s not their looks you have to be concerned about; it is their destructive activity! You see, opossums are nuisance animals because they are commonly at-fault for digging up lawns, rummaging garbage, and pillaging gardens. Furthermore, they can be infected with a long list of possible infectious diseases and transmissible parasites.

To avoid any problems, simply prepare yourself with the right knowledge if ever faced with the situation of having an opossum in your yard. Continue reading to learn this knowledge and more!

Indiana Opossum Removal and Control
Indiana Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Opossum Facts You Might Not Know

Opossums are marsupials, just like kangaroos. They even carry their young in a pouch. What’s makes them especially interesting is that they are the only marsupial species found on the North American continent.

Opossums are also a very old species according to fossil records. Evidence of the species have been dated back as far as the dinosaurs. Perhaps this is why they have the prehistoric look to them!

Although opossums prefer woodlands and forested areas that are near bodies of water, they are now a common burden in residential settings. It is not uncommon to see an opossum walking the edge of your picket fence at night.

Opossums are a bit lazy when it comes to finding a home, as they will not dig their own holes, and instead, take shelter in abandoned dens of other animals.

How to React to Seeing an Opossum

The first and foremost rule of wildlife encounters is to not interact. Do not attempt to approach, touch, trap, or harm an opossum if one is on your property. Instead, simply wait for them to pass onto the next property. They are not usually a loitering type of animal. Typically, when you see them in your yard, they are looking for food, and will be on their way soon.

However, if you are starting to see opossums regularly, you might need to take your security to the next level. After all, children and pets can be at risk of an unsafe opossum encounter if outside at dusk or night. Your best course of action would be to hire a professional Indiana wildlife removal and control company that specializes in abating opossum problems.

A Trusted Opossum Removal and Control Service in Central Indiana

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable opossum control in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our DNR licensed wildlife removal and control specialists have more than 25 years of hands-on experience, and proudly offer humane wild animal abatement services for both residential and commercial properties in Indianapolis, and throughout Central Indiana. From raccoons and bats, to skunks, opossum, squirrels, and more, we work with virtually all species of native wildlife, and know exactly how to stop nuisance activity in and around your property.

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Tips for Residential Opossum Control

When it comes to nuisance wildlife, opossums are among the most frustrating for homeowners because they are one of the most destructive. Not only will they rummage through garbage and make a huge mess in your lawn, they will also dig up sod in search of grubs, pillage gardens for anything edible, and even cause structural damages to fencing, siding, porches, decks, and more. But the worst part of having a nuisance opossum problem are the health and safety risks they pose to both people and pets. You see, opossums are categorized as rodents, very large rodents, which can also carry a long list of infectious diseases, some of which are not curable, like Rabies.

So, if you are spotting opossum on your property, whether more frequently than before or for the first time, it is vital that you intervene as soon as possible in order to stop them from making it a habit to visit night after night. Continue reading to learn the top 3 most recommended methods of doing just that.

Indianapolis Opossum Removal and Control
Indianapolis Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Environmental Modifications

Although it sounds like a long, fancy term, environmental modification simply means making changes to your premises in order to reduce its attractiveness to opossums. The great news about the environmental modification strategy is that it works against most nuisance wildlife, not just opossum! Animals like raccoon, skunks, squirrels, and rabbits will also stop coming by if your property is no longer of use to them.

Environmental modifications to make include removing all food and water sources, such as garbage bins, fallen fruit from trees, bird baths, pet bowls, pet food (even if it is in a secured container), squirrel feeders, and anything else they can eat. And remember, opossums are not picky; they will eat just about anything! You will also want to include some form of garden protection, such as chicken wire fencing, automated lighting and sound machines, and even just leaving on a radio talk show overnight.

Routine Tree Service

Opossums like to climb, and they are good at it. They even make nests in trees! This means you want to remove anything that allows them easier access to your roof, chimney, siding, porch, deck, patio, and garage. If you have long, overhanging branches near these structures of your home, it is wise to have them trimmed back and pruned on a routine basis.

Damages and Restoration

Another widely-accepted and effective form of opossum control for homeowners is simply, security. This means repairing all of the exterior damages of your home to prevent nuisance wildlife intruders. Openings in fences, roof shingles, siding, soffits, vents, crumbling mortar, and more can be easy entry points for opossums. Having these vulnerable areas sealed up reduces the likelihood of dealing with an animal infestation.

Safe and Humane Solutions for Indiana Opossum Problems

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable opossum animal removal and control services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our DNR licensed wildlife removal specialists offer wild animal abatement services, clean up and restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and more! We work with all species of Indiana wildlife, except dogs, cats, and waterfowl. Request a free estimate, today.

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