Possums are frequent visitors to many backyards, often prompting questions about their habits, particularly concerning their diet. A common misconception revolves around whether these nocturnal marsupials pose a threat to bee populations and beehives. Understanding their natural foraging behaviors helps clarify their interactions with local ecosystems and human-managed spaces.
Typical Possum Diet
Possums are opportunistic omnivores, with a highly varied diet adaptable to available food sources. In natural environments, they consume fruits, vegetables, leaves, and other plant matter. They also eat insects, small animals like birds and rodents, eggs, and carrion. This diverse diet allows them to thrive in various habitats, from rural to urban areas.
Their diet shifts based on seasonal availability and location. Urban possums might supplement their natural diet with human-related food sources like pet food or discarded scraps. This adaptability highlights their scavenging nature, as they utilize their keen sense of smell and hearing to locate food.
Possum Interactions with Bees
While possums are omnivores and consume insects, they generally do not target bees as a primary food source. However, they may interact with beehives if they are attracted to other components within the hive, such as honey, bee larvae, or even dead bees found around the hive entrance.
A possum might disturb a beehive inadvertently while foraging for other food items or if honey or larvae are easily accessible. While they might sample bees or honey if the opportunity arises, a healthy bee colony is typically capable of defending itself against a possum.
Deterring Possums from Beehives
Several non-harmful deterrence methods can be employed for possums near beehives. Elevating beehives at least 18 inches off the ground makes them less accessible. Physical barriers, such as fencing around the apiary, are also effective, especially if the fence extends at least 8 inches into the ground to prevent digging.
Removing attractants from the vicinity of the beehives is another helpful strategy. This includes securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and ensuring no pet food is left outdoors overnight. While some anecdotal methods suggest using strong smells like garlic or fish sauce as deterrents, their consistent effectiveness varies. The goal is to encourage possums to seek food elsewhere without causing them harm, promoting coexistence with local wildlife.