The North American Opossum, often simply called a possum, is a marsupial frequently encountered in urban and suburban environments. These nocturnal animals are primarily motivated by readily available food sources and secure shelter, often leading to conflict with homeowners. The most effective approach involves humane, non-lethal methods focused on making the surrounding area less appealing. This guide provides strategies to deter possums by removing their incentives and implementing protective barriers.
Eliminating Common Attractants
The foundation of effective possum deterrence lies in removing the resources that initially draw them to a property. Possums are opportunistic omnivores, making unsecured garbage a primary lure, especially since they are nocturnal. Trash containers must be secured with locking mechanisms or robust bungee cords that prevent the lid from being easily lifted or knocked over.
Outdoor food left for domestic pets should be removed immediately after feeding, ideally within 15 minutes. Possums are highly active at dawn and dusk when they seek their meals. Properties with fruit trees must routinely clear fallen produce from the ground, since decaying fruit provides an easily accessible meal.
Accessible water is another attractant, particularly during dry seasons when natural sources are scarce. Homeowners should inspect for and repair any leaky outdoor spigots or irrigation systems that create puddles, which become easy drinking spots. While birdbaths can be a water source, the focus should remain on eliminating ground-level pooling sources like shallow trays.
Possums also seek out low-hanging, cluttered areas that offer protection from predators and the elements during the day. Removing brush piles, stacks of debris, or old lumber eliminates potential daytime resting spots. Firewood should be stacked tightly and elevated several inches off the ground to prevent a sheltered cavity underneath, forcing the animals to move on.
Implementing Physical Exclusion Methods
Once attractants are removed, physically block access to high-value areas like sheds, porches, and crawlspaces where possums seek to den. Inspect the entire home perimeter to identify any gaps larger than three inches, which is sufficient for an adult possum. Sealing these entry points requires durable materials the animals cannot easily chew through or dislodge.
The most reliable method for sealing under decks or sheds involves installing heavy-gauge galvanized hardware cloth, a sturdy, rust-resistant wire mesh. This barrier must cover the vertical opening and extend horizontally outward, buried partially underground in an L-footing technique. Burying the mesh 6 to 12 inches deep and bending it out at a 90-degree angle discourages possums from digging underneath.
For garden protection, possums are generally poor climbers, but low fences are easily breached. A solid or mesh fence about four feet high is often sufficient to deter them, especially if the top edge is angled slightly outward. This angle makes it difficult for the animal to get a secure grip and pull itself over the top.
Secure less obvious entry points, such as attic vents and chimney tops. These should be covered with securely fastened, corrosion-resistant mesh caps to prevent possums from accessing warm, dry spaces for nesting. Ensuring all foundation vents are intact and tightly screened adds security against intrusion into sub-floor areas.
Activating Sensory Deterrents
Homeowners can employ sensory deterrents designed to make the environment startling or unpleasant, encouraging the possum to relocate. Motion-activated sprinklers are effective because they deliver an unexpected spray of water, which is a harmless, immediate negative reinforcement. Place these devices near known travel paths to maximize the element of surprise.
Motion-activated lighting, particularly bright LED or strobe lights, can also discourage nocturnal activity. Possums prefer darkness for foraging, and a sudden burst of illumination interrupts their routine, making them feel exposed. While ultrasonic devices are intended to irritate pests, their effectiveness is limited as animals quickly become habituated to the constant noise.
Scent and taste repellents offer deterrence, although they require diligent reapplication, especially after rain or heavy dew. Commercial products often contain capsaicin, which acts as a taste irritant when the possum attempts to feed on treated plants. Predator urine scents, such as fox or coyote, trigger an instinctive fear response.
These chemical repellents must be applied directly and frequently to targeted areas, such as garden beds or den entrances. Combining multiple sensory deterrents increases the overall unpleasantness of the area. This cumulative sensory overload prompts the possum to seek a quieter, more secure foraging ground elsewhere.