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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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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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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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.

Budget Animal Removal

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.

Budget Animal Removal