How to Get Rid of Possums in the Yard
That 2-foot, tannish-furred critter knocking over your garbage cans that is neither raccoon nor household pet is most likely a possum, the only marsupial native to the United States and Canada. Also called opossums, these scavengers often visit residence areas in search of food, which includes nuts, eggs and fruit as well as small animals, birds and insects. Keep them away from your yard and out of your pet's food with simple yet effective, and mostly inexpensive, methods.
Ensure your yard is well maintained and therefore less attractive to possums. Keep all garbage cans in your garage, shed or other fenced-in area that possums cannot breach. Make sure the lids are always on the cans and fitted properly. Pick up fallen fruit from any fruit trees you may have on your property regularly, and keep shrubs and trees pruned and long grasses mowed. Possums like to make nests in tree crevices, under housing and brush piles in addition to being attracted to food sources.
- That 2-foot, tannish-furred critter knocking over your garbage cans that is neither raccoon nor household pet is most likely a possum, the only marsupial native to the United States and Canada.
- Keep all garbage cans in your garage, shed or other fenced-in area that possums cannot breach.
Block off any entrances to the home, including porches, decks, holes or open areas under the home, fences and dog doors.
Install a motion-activated sprinkler system to go off upon movement if dealing with more than one possum or one that persists despite your best efforts.
Set up possum traps in areas they seem to frequent. Look for droppings and tracks to identify high-traffic possum areas. Call your local animal control to remove the possums.
Bring all pet food dishes inside for the evening each night.
Rid Of Fleas & Possums
If you have an indoor pet infested with fleas, then you can rest assured that these tiny insects will be wherever they can suck fresh blood, including from your cat and dog or you and your children. Another pesky creature is the possum. Possums generally hang around if they find suitable conditions and available food. Vacuum even if you have hardwood floors in your home, because it is effective at picking up adult fleas, as well as their eggs. Vacuum thoroughly next to windows and underneath sofas and chairs. Once done, dispose of the vacuum bag, because fleas will still be alive inside and you don't want them jumping out into other areas of your home. Refrain from offering possums food since this is usually what makes them come around in the first place. A possum's diet consists of many things found around your home, such as pet food or leftovers in your household garbage. At this point you should take the possum to a safe area where you can release it that's far away from your home.
- Block off any entrances to the home, including porches, decks, holes or open areas under the home, fences and dog doors.
- If you have an indoor pet infested with fleas, then you can rest assured that these tiny insects will be wherever they can suck fresh blood, including from your cat and dog or you and your children.
Tip
Sprinkler systems may also go off when other animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, dogs and cats, run in the affected area, which scares pets and wastes water.
Related Articles
References
- Gardening Know How; Possum Control: How to Trap Opossum; Nikki Phipps
- National Geographic Animals: Opossum
- ePestSupply: How To Kill and Get Rid Of Fleas and Ticks
- Fleas Mart: Fleas? Never Again! The Solution
- Allstate Animal Control: How to Get Rid of Opossums
- AAAnimal Control: Opossum Control & Removal
Resources
Tips
- Sprinkler systems may also go off when other animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, dogs and cats, run in the affected area, which scares pets and wastes water.
Writer Bio
Kent Page McGroarty has worked as a writer since 2006, contributing numerous articles to various websites. She is a frequent contributor to the health and fitness sections of the online magazine EDGE Publications and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Joseph's University.
