Opossums are curious creatures that tend to wander into residential and commercial properties in search of food and shelter. Their ability to adapt to almost any environment makes them frequent visitors in urban areas. They often take up residence under decks, in crawl spaces, or inside attics. They'll hide out anywhere that offers a bit of warmth and protection. These marsupials aren’t naturally aggressive, but their presence can lead to quite a few problems. They rummage through garbage cans, disturb pet food, and leave behind waste that can carry disease. When one of these creatures finds a spot it likes, it can stick around longer than most homeowners would prefer, especially if it feels hidden and comfortable.
The challenge with dealing with an opossum infestation is that they’re not your typical nuisance animal. Their behavior can be unpredictable, and their nesting habits make it difficult to remove them without professional help. They also have a unique physiology. They're known for playing dead when threatened, climbing with prehensile tails, and traveling at night, which often complicates control efforts. Understanding their habits is key to managing them effectively and preventing future intrusions.
Signs Of Activity Around A Property
Spotting an opossum isn’t always straightforward. They’re nocturnal, so most activity happens when people are asleep. The first hints of their presence are usually subtle: overturned trash cans, missing pet food, and scratching or rustling noises after dark. Their footprints resemble small human hands, and they often leave smudge marks along walls or entry points where their fur brushes against surfaces. Another telltale sign is a musky odor that builds up in enclosed areas where they linger.
Homeowners may also notice droppings or signs of nesting, like shredded insulation or leaves tucked into corners of attics or garages. In yards, opossums may burrow into compost piles or dens abandoned by other animals. These signs shouldn’t be ignored, as they often indicate that the animal has already established a routine route through the property. The longer it’s allowed to stay, the harder it becomes to remove it completely. Because they can climb, simply closing off ground-level openings may not be enough, as these critterscan access roofs and attics with surprising ease.
Recognizing the difference between opossum activity and that of raccoons or rats is another challenge. These animals in particular tend to move slower, dragging their tails and leaving distinct tracks. They’re scavengers rather than chewers, so they cause less structural damage but can create sanitation issues if left unchecked. Understanding these subtle clues helps determine the right course of action for effective removal and prevention.
Professional Removal Methods
Dealing with an opossum problem requires more than simply trapping and relocating the animal. Professional removal focuses on identifying how and why the opossum entered in the first place. The process typically begins with a thorough inspection to find entry points, attractants, and signs of nesting. Once those areas are identified, trained specialists use targeted strategies to encourage the animal to leave or capture it humanely. Trapping alone doesn’t guarantee the problem is solved. If the conditions that attracted the invading animals remain, others will likely return.
Our professionals use a combination of inspection, exclusion, and deterrence methods to ensure long-term results. After confirming that no young are left behind, we seal off access points, repair damage, and install barriers where needed. Removing attractants like open garbage, fallen fruit, or unsecured pet food helps discourage future visitors. In some cases, one-way doors are used to allow the animal to exit but not re-enter, minimizing stress and preventing injury.
Sanitation plays an important role too. Opossums can carry parasites and bacteria that pose health risks to people and pets. Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated areas, especially attics or crawl spaces, is a crucial final step. Our team focuses not just on removing the animal but also on restoring the property to a clean and healthy condition. The goal is to prevent recurrence and provide lasting peace of mind, knowing the issue has been handled correctly from start to finish.
Preventing Future Intrusions
Once the immediate problem has been resolved, keeping opossums away becomes the next priority. The most effective approach is eliminating the factors that made the property appealing in the first place. Securing trash cans with tight-fitting lids, bringing pet food indoors at night, and keeping outdoor areas well-lit are all important steps. Gardens and compost piles should be fenced or covered, and potential den sites like crawl spaces, sheds, and decks should be inspected regularly for gaps or openings.
Another key part of prevention involves maintaining the yard. Overgrown shrubs and low-hanging branches provide shelter and easy access to roofs or attics. Regular trimming limits those pathways and discourages climbing. Checking fences and foundation vents for weak spots can also make a significant difference. Even small gaps can be exploited by an opossum looking for shelter during colder months.
Education plays a big role too. Understanding that opossums aren’t inherently destructive but are opportunistic helps shape prevention strategies that actually work. By staying proactive and observant, property owners can reduce the likelihood of future infestations. Regular inspections, especially after storm damage or construction work, help identify vulnerabilities early before they turn into bigger problems.
If you’re hearing noises at night or suspect that an opossum has moved onto your property, don’t wait for the problem to escalate. At Wildlife Task Force, we take pride in providing thorough and humane removal services that focus on long-term prevention as much as immediate results. Our specialists understand how to locate, remove, and deter opossums effectively while restoring your property to its proper condition. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or to learn more about how our team can help protect your home or business from future wildlife issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Opossums
Q1. What makes these creatures choose my property in the first place?
A1. Opossums are opportunistic and curious, so they go where food, water, and shelter are easily available. They’re often drawn to areas with open garbage bins, fallen fruit, bird feeders, or pet food left outside. Even a small crawl space, deck gap, or attic vent can provide just enough shelter for them to move in. Once they find a dependable food source and protection from the elements, they tend to settle and return regularly. Preventing their interest starts with reducing those attractants and sealing potential hiding spots around your property.
Q2. How can I tell the difference between an opossum problem and another type of wildlife issue?
A2. It can be tricky, since many nocturnal animals make noise or rummage through trash at night. However, opossums move more slowly than raccoons or rats and leave behind hand-shaped prints with visible thumb marks. Their droppings are typically larger and more tapered than a rodent’s, and they often emit a distinct, musky odor. They may hiss or growl if cornered, but they’re not aggressive. If you hear heavy rustling rather than scratching in the attic or spot overturned trash cans without signs of gnawing, there’s a good chance an opossum is involved.
Q3. What happens during professional removal and how long does it take?
A3. The process starts with a property inspection to locate the entry points, nesting sites, and reasons the animal was drawn there. Once that’s done, specialists use methods like humane trapping, exclusion devices, and habitat modification to remove the opossum and discourage new ones from entering. The length of time depends on the situation. While some cases can be resolved in a single visit, while others may require follow-up to confirm that all animals are gone and entry points are fully secured. The goal is not just to remove the visitor but to make sure it doesn’t return.