The opossum, North America’s only native marsupial, often becomes an unwelcome visitor in residential areas where it is drawn by readily available food sources. These nocturnal omnivores can cause frustration by consuming garden produce, stripping fruit from trees, and damaging flower beds. They are opportunistic feeders that will also raid compost piles and knock over trash cans. This guide provides information on effective, humane, and legal strategies to deter possums and manage their presence around your home and garden.
Securing the Perimeter Through Physical Exclusion
The most reliable, long-term solution involves creating physical barriers and modifying the environment to make it less appealing. Opossums are adept climbers and will exploit any weakness, requiring specific construction details for fences. For standard perimeter fences, a four-foot-tall structure with an 18-inch section of untethered wire mesh at the top can create a “floppy” barrier that prevents them from scaling over. To stop digging, the bottom of the fence should be augmented with a two-foot-wide apron of mesh bent at a 90-degree angle and buried several inches below the soil surface.
For fences where a floppy top is impractical, consider installing specialized fence spikes with a minimum height of four to six inches. This height is based on the possum’s anatomy, creating a genuine obstacle that disrupts their natural gait across the fence line. Professionals often recommend a multi-row configuration of spikes to eliminate gaps and establish a comprehensive “denial zone” that the animals will instinctively seek to avoid.
Protecting fruit trees and vegetable patches requires targeted exclusion, often using netting supported by a rigid frame. The netting mesh size must be small, ideally less than 5mm by 5mm, to prevent possums and other wildlife from becoming entangled. It is important to construct a frame using materials like poly pipe and pickets that holds the netting away from the foliage. This frame ensures the netting remains taut and prevents the possum’s weight from pulling it down onto the plants.
Beyond structural barriers, removing attractants is a foundational step in exclusion. Fallen fruit from trees and pet food left outdoors overnight draw opossums. Securing trash cans with tight-fitting, weighted lids is necessary, as is clearing any ripe or rotting produce from the ground immediately. Trimming low-hanging tree branches that provide easy access to the roof or upper areas of the garden also eliminates natural entry points.
Using Humane Sensory Deterrents
Sensory deterrents work by capitalizing on the possum’s natural aversion to sudden movements, unpleasant tastes, or threatening smells. One of the most successful non-lethal methods is the use of motion-activated water sprinklers, which deliver a startling burst of water when an animal crosses the sensor’s path. This sudden, harmless shock quickly conditions the nocturnal marsupial to avoid the protected area. These portable devices cover a wide range, making them effective for protecting specific garden sections or property borders.
Repellents that target the animal’s acute sense of smell can also be employed, particularly those mimicking predator presence. Possums are sensitive prey animals, and strong, musky odors such as synthetic fox or coyote urine can signal danger to them. Commercial products containing synthetic fermented egg or specific predator odors are formulated to suppress browsing behavior.
Home remedies use common household ingredients with strong, pungent aromas, though they are generally less potent and require frequent reapplication. The sharp, chemical smell of ammonia mimics the scent of predator urine and can be placed in problem areas using soaked rags. Similarly, a spray made from crushed garlic, chili powder, or hot peppers can be applied to foliage to create a taste and smell irritant. These non-physical methods work by making the food source or travel path undesirable, but their efficacy diminishes quickly after rain or over a period of two to three weeks.
Addressing Established Possessums and Removal Regulations
When a possum has established a den in a sheltered location, such as under a shed or inside an attic, the first step is non-confrontational eviction. Since these animals are nocturnal, they seek dark, quiet shelter during the day. Introducing light and sound, such as a bright work light or a radio, into the den space encourages the animal to find alternate, less disturbing shelter. The use of a one-way exclusion door, which allows the possum to exit but prevents re-entry, is a reliable method to ensure the space is empty.
Once the animal has left, it is necessary to immediately seal all entry points using durable materials like steel mesh or hardware cloth. This must be done only after confirming the possum is gone, especially if it is during the spring or summer when young may be present. Sealing them in can lead to significant odor and damage problems.
Homeowners must exercise extreme caution regarding physical removal. In many states, the trapping and relocation of possums by an untrained individual is illegal or heavily regulated. Relocating the animal is often prohibited because it is illegal to transport wildlife across county or state lines without a permit. If non-lethal eviction methods fail, contacting a professional wildlife control operator who possesses the required local permits is the safest and most compliant course of action.