Opossums are the only marsupials found in North America.1 These unique creatures are known for their opposable thumbs, prehensile tails, and impressive ability to “play dead” when threatened.
While opossums can be beneficial to your garden by eating pests like snails, slugs, and insects, they can also become a nuisance when they start rummaging through your trash or taking up residence in your yard.
If you’re looking for humane and effective ways to deter these nocturnal visitors, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some strategies to keep opossums at bay and maintain a peaceful, opossum-free outdoor space.
Understanding Opossum Behavior
Before we get into the solutions, it’s essential to understand opossum behavior. Opossums are omnivorous scavengers, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can find, from insects and small animals to fruits, vegetables, and even pet food.
They’re also nomadic and solitary creatures, rarely staying in one place for more than a couple of weeks.
Opossums are excellent climbers and often live in tree holes made by other animals. They prefer habitats near water sources like wetlands, swamps, rivers, streams, or lakes. Opossums have adapted well to urban living and can be found in backyards, crossing neighborhood streets, or even in garages.
1. Eliminating Food Sources
One of the most effective ways to deter opossums is by eliminating their food sources. This means securing your trash cans with tight-fitting lids, storing pet food indoors, and picking up fallen fruit from your trees.
By making your yard less appealing to opossums, you’ll reduce the likelihood of them visiting your property.
It’s important to never intentionally feed opossums, as this will only encourage them to keep coming back. Clean your barbecue grills and grease traps after each use, and use covered compost bins rather than open containers or loose piles.
2. Using Scent Deterrents
Opossums have a keen sense of smell, and there are certain scents they simply can’t stand. Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, and even Vicks VapoRub can act as natural repellents.
Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it around your yard, or sprinkle some cayenne pepper in areas where opossums tend to frequent.
Ammonia is another effective opossum repellent. Pour some ammonia into a container with a lid, slice a hole into the lid, and feed a rag through so that most of the rag is in the ammonia and some is sticking out.
Place the container in your garden to disperse the scent and repel opossums.
3. Employing Physical Barriers
To prevent opossums from making themselves at home under your deck or in your crawl space, consider installing physical barriers. Use hardware cloth or chicken wire to seal off potential entry points, making sure to bury it several inches below the ground. This will not only keep opossums out but also other unwanted critters.
Cover your foundation vents with metal covers to prevent opossums from entering your home. If you have a chimney, install a chimney cap to keep opossums and other animals from climbing in.
4. Trying Motion-Activated Devices
If you’re looking for a high-tech solution, motion-activated devices might be the answer.
Motion-activated sprinklers detect movement and release a gentle spray of water, startling opossums and deterring them from your yard. Motion-activated lights can also be effective in scaring opossums away.
5. Removing Potential Shelter
Opossums are always on the lookout for a cozy place to call home. To discourage them from settling in your yard, remove potential shelter sites such as brush piles, stacks of firewood, and dense vegetation.
Keep your yard tidy and well-maintained to make it less inviting to opossums.
Trim trees and shrubs near your house to eliminate potential access points for opossums. Opossums are excellent climbers, so keeping branches away from your roof and windows can help prevent them from entering your home.
What if You Encounter an Opossum?
Opossum attacks on humans are rare and unlikely. If you happen upon an opossum, they may hiss and growl, which can be off-putting, but they are generally non-confrontational. Opossums are more likely to “play dead” than attack when threatened.
However, opossums can carry diseases like tuberculosis, relapsing fever, or Chagas disease, as well as fleas, ticks, or lice. It’s best to avoid handling opossums yourself and instead contact animal control if you have a trapped opossum.
By implementing these strategies, you can humanely and effectively keep opossums away from your yard. Remember, patience is key – it may take some time for these techniques to work, but with persistence, you’ll soon enjoy a peaceful, opossum-free outdoor space.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.