Possums, more correctly called opossums, are nocturnal critters that scavenge for insects, small rodents, and plant matter. But they also have a taste for open compost piles, trash bins, and the occasional garden plant, which may prompt you to want to know how to get rid of possums in your yard. This guide will help you recognize opossum presence, and provides several humane methods for deterring these mammals. Plus you'll find a few reasons why opossums may be helpful in your garden.
Possum vs. Opossum
The terms “possum” and “opossum” are often used interchangeably to refer to the North American opossum (Didelphimorphia), a marsupial that's easily recognized by its pointed snout, grayish-brown fur, and hairless, prehensile tail. However, “possum” can also refer to a marsupial that’s native to Australia, New Guinea, and the surrounding areas. While possums and opossums are both omnivorous scavengers, Australian possums (Phalangeridae) are smaller animals with bushy tails and rounded noses.
Garden Opossums: Friend or Foe?
Some pests do a lot of harm to plants, but opossums often benefit lawns and gardens. Although opossums occasionally nibble on garden plants and fallen fruit in backyard orchards, these critters are usually more interested in feasting on acorns, old, rotting plant material, carrion, and pests like venomous snakes, small rodents, ticks, beetles, slugs, snails, crickets, co*ckroaches, and lawn grubs. Opossums are also usually non-aggressive animals, and their low body temperature makes them naturally resistant to rabies.
Whether you choose to tolerate backyard opossums is up to you, but if they aren’t doing serious damage or harming your plants, you may want to leave them be. Like nature’s cleanup crew, opossums reduce yard waste and help keep your garden pest-free.
Signs of Opossum Activity
Opossums are slow-moving, quiet animals that come out after dark, so you may never see them roaming on your property. Even if you don’t see opossums at work, these signs can let you know they’re around:
- Scat. Opossum scat is smooth and brown and measures about 1 to 2 inches long. It is easy to mistake for cat droppings. You may find opossum scat in known nesting spots, on your walkways, or in other areas opossums visit often.
- Nesting spots. Opossums rarely dig their own burrows, and they usually move into nests abandoned by other animals. However, opossums will sometimes pull away house siding, gutters, shingles, or wire mesh beneath porches while hunting for a good nesting spot.
- Damaged produce. Although opossums are not major garden pests, they sometimes eat crops like corn, berries, and fallen fruit. Occasionally, opossums might push their way into chicken coops and eat eggs, chicks, and small chickens.
- Strange noises. Opossums usually don’t make much noise, but they sometimes hiss or growl when threatened or call to their young by smacking their lips and clicking.
- Overturned trash bins and compost piles. Unsecured trash bins and compost piles are open invitations for opossums and other animals. After an opossum visit, you may find your trash bins knocked over or big holes dug in your compost pile.
- Tracks in wet earth. Opossums have distinct rear footprints with “thumbs” spaced apart from their other toes. You may sometimes see a dragging trail imprint, too.
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How to Prevent and Get Rid of Opossums
Although opossums can help control garden pests, not everyone enjoys having an opossum in the garden. If unwanted opossums have stopped by your space, here are a few wildlife-friendly ways to deter them and avoid costly bills from a pest removal company.
1. Remove Food Sources
Opossums linger in areas with lots of easy food, so if you don’t want these animals to stay in your yard or garden, a cleanup may be in order. To start, rake up windfallen fruit beneath fruit trees, secure compost in a closed bin, and keep garbage in a sturdy container with a locking lid.
If you feed pets or livestock outside, store pet food in lidded containers, and consider putting your bird feeders away until the opossums have left the area. You may also want to use row covers or grow tunnels in your garden to make veggies harder to reach. Double up the security on chicken coops by adding hardware cloth or chicken wire to weak spots.
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2. Reduce Sheltering Spots
Cozy shelters attract opossums, so trim tall grasses, prune back overgrown shrubs and trees, and remove brush or log piles. While you’re at it, consider blocking off small entrance points into your home with expandable spray foam and crawlspaces under your deck, potting shed, or patio with hardware cloth or chicken wire. Remember to check these areas for animals before you seal them up.
3. Install Fencing
Encircling your lawn or garden with a sturdy fence made of hardware cloth, chicken wire, cement, or wood can exclude opossums and protect your produce. For best results, install fencing so at least 4 feet of fencing is above the soil line, and 1 foot of fencing is buried beneath the soil line. Angling the top 1 foot of fencing away from your garden can make it even harder for opossums to climb over.
4. Try Repellents
Many repellents allegedly deter opossums, but some of these substances work better than others, and spray repellents usually need to be reapplied regularly and after heavy rains. Cayenne powder, garlic oil, vinegar, and predator urine spray are all commonly used to deter opossums.
You can also place clumps of pet fur in your garden or use wind chimes, a motion-activated sprinkler, or a spotlight to scare off opossums. To increase the chances of success, use repellents in conjunction with other treatment methods, and occasionally switch up the products you use so that opossums don’t get accustomed to a single repellent.
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Mothballs, camphor, and ammonia should not be used outdoors as animal repellents. These products can harm opossums and other wildlife, and they contaminate garden soil and leach into waterways.
5. Trap and Relocate the Opossum
Relocating opossums is rarely necessary as they usually leave the area when you eliminate the food and sheltering spots that attract them. Trapping is not always effective, as new opossums often move in as soon as the first opossum is removed.
If you’re determined to remove opossums from your property, research local rules and regulations before you start. Choose an appropriately sized live trap, add cat food or peanut butter as bait, place the trap in a spot where you know opossums are active, and check the trap often to make sure an opossum doesn’t stay confined long. If possible, avoid trapping opossums from February to June, as mothers are more likely to be caring for babies at this time.
After securing an opossum in your trap, immediately release the animal at least five miles away from human habitation. While opossums are generally non-aggressive, they can get feisty when they feel cornered, so handle the trap carefully and sturdy gloves are necessary. If opossums aren’t “falling for your trap,” camouflaging the trap with sticks or leaves may help.
When frightened, opossums sometimes feign death or “play possum” as a defensive mechanism. During this process, opossums are immobilized, their mouths may open, and they may emit a foul odor. If this occurs, leave the opossum alone, and it should recover in a few minutes to hours.
