Opossum Control

While opossums prefer outdoor habitats, they may occasionally venture into our homes in search of food, warmth, or shelter.

1. Attics: Opossums are skilled climbers and can access your attic through trees, utility lines, or other structures connected to your home. Once inside, they create nests using insulation, shredded materials, and debris. Look for signs like droppings, disturbed insulation, and scratches near entry points to identify their presence.

2. Basements and Crawl Spaces: These dark, secluded areas provide opossums with a suitable environment for nesting and protection. They may enter through gaps or cracks in foundation walls, vents, or broken windows. Check for droppings, damage to stored items, and any signs of entry points to confirm their activity.

3. Garages and Sheds: Opossums are opportunistic creatures and may seek shelter in garages or sheds if they provide easy access. Check for chewed wires, torn insulation, and evidence of nesting in storage boxes or piles of debris. Keep in mind that opossums can squeeze through small openings, so ensure any potential entry points are properly sealed.

4. Outdoor Structures: Opossums may take advantage of outdoor structures, such as playhouses, gazebos, or storage units, that provide shelter from the elements. Regularly inspect these structures for signs of opossum activity, such as droppings, nesting materials, or food debris left behind.

Opossums may seem harmless, but it’s important to know that they can carry a variety of diseases. Opossums are one of the most adaptable animals on the planet, so it’s important to be aware of their health risks. Here are some diseases related to opossums:

1. Leptospirosis: Opossums can harbor the bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a disease that can be transmitted through contact with their urine, feces, or contaminated water sources. This bacterial infection can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and in severe cases, organ damage. It’s crucial to avoid direct contact with opossum waste and seek professional help to minimize the risk of exposure.

2. Salmonellosis: Salmonella bacteria can be present in opossum feces, posing a risk of salmonellosis, a common foodborne illness. Humans can contract this infection by consuming contaminated food or water or by coming into contact with opossum waste. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Proper sanitation measures and professional pest control services are vital to reduce the risk of salmonellosis.

3. Tularemia: Opossums can be carriers of the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia. Although rare, humans can contract this disease through direct contact with infected animals, including opossums. Tularemia can manifest as flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. It is crucial to exercise caution when handling opossums or their waste to prevent tularemia transmission.

4. Rabies: While rare, opossums have been known to carry and transmit rabies, a viral disease that affects the nervous system. Rabies is typically transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. It’s important to note that opossums are not significant carriers of rabies compared to other wildlife species. Nonetheless, it is always advisable to avoid direct contact with any wild animal and report any suspicious behavior to local animal control authorities.

Minimizing Health Risks: To mitigate the health risks associated with opossums, it is recommended to seek professional assistance from wildlife control experts like Heat Wave Pest Control. Their trained technicians understand the risks involved with trapped possums and employ safe and effective methods to both live trap and remove opossums from your property. They will also provide guidance on proper sanitation practices for wild animals and offer advice on minimizing potential exposure to diseases carried by opossums.

Prevention is key when it comes to dealing with opossums. Here are some proactive measures you can take to get rid of opossums and minimize the chances of opossums entering your home:

1. Secure Your Trash Cans: Opossums are attracted to readily available food sources, such as garbage. Ensure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids that are resistant to opossums’ attempts to open them. Consider using bungee cords or other secure fastenings to keep the lids tightly sealed.

2. Eliminate Food Sources: Remove potential food sources that may attract opossums. Avoid leaving pet food outside overnight and bring in any uneaten pet food promptly. Additionally, consider taking down bird feeders during the night, as the leftover seeds can entice opossums.

3. Seal Potential Entry Points: Inspect your home for any gaps or openings that may serve as entry points for opossums. Carefully examine areas around vents, pipes, utility entrances, and damaged screens. Seal these openings with durable materials, such as steel mesh or caulk, to prevent opossums from gaining access.

4. Trim Tree Branches: Opossums are proficient climbers, using tree branches as pathways to roofs and attics. Trim tree branches that overhang your home, ensuring a safe distance of at least 10 feet between branches and your roof or any other potential entry points.

5. Install Fencing: Consider installing sturdy fences around your property to deter opossums. Ensure the fence is at least four feet tall, with the bottom buried a few inches into the ground to prevent digging. Use materials such as galvanized steel or hardware cloth for added durability.

6. Remove Potential Shelter: Keep your surroundings free of debris, woodpiles, and other objects that could provide hiding spots for opossums. Clear vegetation away from the perimeter of your home to minimize attractive habitats.