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What To Do If There Is A Possum In My Yard

What To Do If There Is A Possum In My Yard

If you live in Jacksonville, Wilmington, or any surrounding areas in Eastern North Carolina, it’s not uncommon to encounter wildlife in your yard, especially as the region is home to a variety of creatures, including the Virginia opossum. While these animals might seem out of place in your backyard, they are actually an integral part of the local ecosystem. If you find a possum in your yard, here’s what you should know and how to handle the situation.

How To Identify An Opossum

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a native marsupial that thrives in the diverse habitats of Eastern North Carolina. From the coastal plains to the woodlands, these adaptable creatures are found across the region, often venturing into residential areas in search of food or shelter. With their pointed noses, black hairless ears, and distinctive nearly hairless tails, possums are easily recognizable. They are known for their slow, deliberate movements and nocturnal habits, often spotted scurrying through yards after dusk.

Are Opposums Danger?

Possums are not dangerous to humans. They are more of a nuisance than a threat and can actually provide some benefits by controlling pest populations. As with any wild animal, it's best to observe them from a distance and avoid handling them directly.

Here’s what you should know about their behavior and potential risks:

Non-Aggressive Nature

Opossums are shy, non-aggressive animals. When threatened, they prefer to avoid confrontation. If cornered or scared, they might hiss, growl, or bare their teeth, but these are defensive actions rather than signs of aggression.

One of their well-known behaviors is "playing possum," where they feign death to avoid predators. During this state, they become stiff, close their eyes, and emit a foul-smelling odor to deter attackers. This behavior is a passive defense mechanism, and they do not pose any threat during this time.

Health Risks

While many wild animals can carry rabies, rabies in opossums is extremely rare due to their lower body temperature, which doesn't support the rabies virus well. That said, opossums can carry diseases like leptospirosis or salmonella, but the risk of transmission to humans is low, especially with proper hygiene practices.

It should be noted that like other wild animals, opossums can carry parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. These parasites can pose a risk to pets or humans if they transfer.

Interaction with Pets

Opossums will typically avoid confrontation with pets. If a dog or cat corners an opossum, it might hiss or play dead, but it is unlikely to attack. In most cases, the opossum will simply try to escape.

When to Be Cautious

If you encounter an opossum that appears sick, injured, or is behaving unusually during the day, it’s best to avoid contact and call local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator. Handling wild animals should always be done with caution and preferably by professionals.

Why You Might Find a Possum in Your Yard

Possums in Eastern North Carolina are often drawn to residential areas for several reasons:

Food Sources: Your yard might offer easy access to food, such as fallen fruit, pet food, or even leftovers in your garbage cans.
Shelter: Opossums are always on the lookout for safe, quiet places to rest during the day. Hollow logs, under decks, or even dense shrubbery in your yard could be attractive to them.
Water: With the abundance of streams, ponds, and other water sources in Eastern North Carolina, your yard might provide a convenient stop for a thirsty possum.

What to Do If You Find a Possum in Your Yard

If you spot a possum in your Eastern North Carolina yard, there’s no need to panic. Here’s what you can do:

Observe from a Distance: Possums are generally harmless and prefer to avoid confrontation. Watch from a distance and give the possum space to move freely. They are likely just passing through your yard in search of food or shelter.
Secure Potential Food Sources: To discourage possums from visiting your yard frequently, secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, bring pet food indoors at night, and clean up any fallen fruit or birdseed that might attract them.
Check for Nesting Spots: If you notice a possum returning to your yard, inspect your property for potential nesting sites. Close off access to areas under decks, sheds, or attics where a possum might try to take up residence.
Don’t Attempt to Handle: Opossums are wild animals and should not be handled. Although they are not aggressive, they may hiss or growl if they feel threatened. If a possum appears injured or is lingering in an area where it might be in danger, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator in Eastern North Carolina for assistance.

Benefits of Having Possums in Your Yard

While it might be surprising to see a possum in your yard, these animals provide several benefits to the local environment:

Pest Control: Possums are natural pest controllers, feeding on insects, slugs, snails, and even small rodents that could otherwise become a nuisance in your garden.
Snake Defense: Remarkably, possums have a high resistance to the venom of snakes common in Eastern North Carolina, including copperheads. By eating these snakes, possums help reduce the potential danger they pose to humans and pets.
Tick Reduction: While studies suggest ticks aren’t a preferred food source, possums do consume some ticks while grooming, contributing to a decrease in the overall tick population in your yard.

How To Get Rid of Possums

If you have a possum in your yard and need to remove it, there are several humane methods you can use. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Eliminate Food Sources

The first step in deterring possums from your yard is to eliminate their food sources. Possums are scavengers, and in Eastern North Carolina, they are often attracted to the following:

Pet Food: If you leave pet food outside, it's like an open invitation for possums. Instead, feed pets indoors or remove uneaten food promptly.
Trash: Opossums are attracted to garbage. Ensure your trash cans are tightly sealed with lids that cannot be easily knocked over or opened. Consider using bungee cords or heavy objects to weigh down the lids to prevent possums from getting into your garbage.
Bird Seed: If you have bird feeders, be mindful that possums might be eating the fallen seeds. Clean up any spilled birdseed regularly and consider using a possum-proof feeder.
Gardens: If you have a vegetable garden, consider fencing it off with a small mesh fence to keep possums out. Possums are particularly fond of fruits and vegetables, so protecting your garden is key.
Fallen Fruit: If you have fruit trees, regularly pick up fallen fruit, as opossums are drawn to this food source.

Step 2. Remove Shelter Opportunities

Possums are looking for a cozy place to sleep during the day. They might find this in your shed, under your porch, or in a woodpile. In Eastern North Carolina, where the climate is mild, these areas are even more attractive. To make your yard less inviting:

Seal Openings: Check for openings under decks, porches, sheds, or to your crawlspace where opossums might seek shelter. Use mesh, hardware cloth, or other sturdy materials to close off these spaces.
Close Off Attics: If you suspect an opossum has taken up residence in your attic, locate entry points and seal them off. Ensure the possum is out before doing so, as you don’t want to trap it inside.
Cut Back Trees and Bushes: Possums are excellent climbers and may use overhanging branches to access your roof. Trim back any branches that overhang your home to prevent this.
Remove Woodpiles: If you have a woodpile, consider elevating it off the ground or storing it in a shed. Possums love to nest in woodpiles because they provide warmth and protection.
Trim Vegetation: Overgrown shrubs, piles of leaves, or wood can provide hiding spots for opossums. Keeping your yard tidy and well-maintained reduces these opportunities.

Step 3. Install Physical Barriers

Physical barriers are an effective way to keep possums out of your yard. In Eastern North Carolina, where possums are common, these barriers can prevent them from accessing your home and garden. Consider the following measures:

Fencing: Erect a fence at least 4 feet high around your yard or garden. Possums are good climbers, so the fence should have a smooth surface they can't grip. For added security, consider adding a top lip that curves outward to deter climbing.
Fence Buried Below Ground: Bury the bottom of your fence at least 6 inches underground to prevent possums from digging under it. This is especially important for gardens and other vulnerable areas.
Roof Barriers: Possums can access your roof via tree branches or downspouts. Install metal barriers around downspouts to block their access. Consider using metal flashing or spikes along rooflines to further deter them.
Mesh Covers: Install mesh covers over vents, chimneys, and other potential entry points on your roof or in your foundation. Use heavy-duty hardware cloth to ensure possums cannot chew through or push aside the mesh.

Step 4. Reduce Water Sources

Water is another essential resource that might attract possums to your yard. By reducing water availability, you make your property less appealing to these nocturnal visitors. Here’s how you can do it:

Remove Standing Water: Eliminate any standing water in your yard, such as in birdbaths, pet bowls, or containers. If you have a birdbath, consider adding a water agitator to keep the water moving, which can also deter possums.
Fix Leaks: Inspect outdoor faucets, hoses, and irrigation systems for leaks and repair them promptly. Even small leaks can provide enough water to attract possums.
Drainage Management: Ensure that your yard has proper drainage to prevent puddles from forming after rain. Consider grading your yard or installing drainage systems to keep water from pooling in low-lying areas.
Water Bowl Management: If you have outdoor pets, bring their water bowls inside at night or use automatic waterers that are designed to reduce spillage. This simple step can significantly reduce the water available to possums.

Step 5. Use Natural Possum Deterrents

Eastern North Carolina is rich in natural resources, and you can use some of these to deter possums. Possums have a keen sense of smell, so certain odors can drive them away:

Bright Lights or Loud Noises: Possums are nocturnal and prefer quiet, dark environments. Installing motion-activated lights or playing a radio at night can make your yard less inviting.
Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These devices can startle possums without causing them harm, encouraging them to move along.
Smell Repellents: Opossums dislike the smell of ammonia, vinegar, or predator urine (available at garden stores). Soak rags in these substances and place them around areas where the possum has been active. Replace regularly for effectiveness.
Garlic and Onion: Additionally possums hate the smell of garlic and onion. You can create a spray by mixing crushed garlic and onion with water and spraying it around your yard.
Commercial Repellents: There are also commercial possum repellents available that. These can be particularly effective in Eastern North Carolina, where the natural landscape provides ample cover for possums.

Step 6. Humane Trapping

If the possum problem persists, you may need to resort to trapping. In Eastern North Carolina, it’s legal to trap possums as long as you follow state regulations. Here’s how you can do it:

Use a Humane Trap: Purchase a live trap from a local hardware store or online. Bait it with something like fish, canned pet food, overripe fruit, or marshmallows.
Place the Trap in a Strategic Location: Set the trap in an area where you’ve seen possum activity, such as near a garbage can or along a fence line.
Release the Possum Safely: Once you’ve caught the possum, transport it at least 5-10 miles away from your home, ideally to a wooded area where it can find shelter and food. Make sure you release it on public land or with permission on private land.

Step 7. Call a Professional

If you’re uncomfortable trapping the possum yourself or if the possum problem seems overwhelming, consider contacting a wildlife removal professional in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas in Eastern North Carolina. Our team at B&T Pest Control can safely and humanely remove the possum from your property and help you implement measures to prevent future invasions.

In some cases, you might need to call your local animal control for assistance, especially if the opossum is injured or appears sick.