The opossum (often called a possum) is North America’s only native marsupial and has successfully adapted to suburban and urban environments. These solitary, nocturnal creatures are frequently sighted in residential areas because human dwellings inadvertently provide abundant resources. Opossums are highly opportunistic, drawn primarily by two essential needs: an easy meal and a safe place to rest during the day. Understanding these attractants is the first step in managing their presence.
Primary Food Sources
The primary factor drawing opossums into a yard is their varied omnivorous diet, which makes them effective scavengers. They possess a keen sense of smell, allowing them to easily locate unsecured food sources outdoors. A major attractant is pet food, particularly wet or dry kibble left in bowls overnight, as this provides a high-calorie, effortless meal.
Unsecured garbage cans are another significant draw, especially those with food scraps that emit a strong odor. Opossums readily consume discarded human food waste, which requires no hunting effort. Yards with fruit or nut trees also serve as a food source, as they will consume fallen, overripe fruit and berries from the ground.
Opossums also actively forage for invertebrates, seeking out and eating insects, snails, slugs, and grubs found in the soil. This natural pest control activity keeps them returning to lawns and gardens. Furthermore, any accessible water source, such as a leaky faucet, bird bath, or pet water bowl, supplements their need for hydration while foraging.
Seeking Secure Shelter
Beyond readily available food, opossums are attracted to properties that offer secure, dark, and quiet places to den during daylight hours. Unlike many other backyard mammals, they do not construct their own dens. Instead, they take advantage of existing natural and man-made structures, making residential areas especially appealing.
Common den sites include sheltered spaces underneath porches, decks, sheds, and foundations, which offer protection from predators and the elements. Any accessible crawlspace or opening into a garage or basement can also be quickly adopted as a temporary home. Opossums are transient, often staying in one location for only two to three days, but they will return if the site remains safe and undisturbed.
Yard debris also offers suitable cover, including woodpiles, brush piles, and thick, overgrown shrubbery that provides camouflage and nesting material. Female opossums looking to raise young are motivated to find these protected, secluded spots. They use these dark hiding places to sleep during the day and emerge after sunset to begin their nightly search for food.
Eliminating Attractants
The most effective approach to discouraging opossum visits involves modifying the environment to remove the resources they are seeking. Begin by eliminating all outdoor food sources, including securing trash cans with locking or tight-fitting lids to prevent access to food waste. Pet food and water bowls should be brought indoors before dusk, as opossums are nocturnal and begin foraging around sunset.
Consistently cleaning up fallen fruit, nuts, and birdseed spillover from the ground removes these high-calorie temptations. Exclusion methods should also be used to prevent access to potential den sites beneath structures. Secure the openings under decks, sheds, and porches with heavy-duty wire mesh or hardware cloth, burying the material several inches into the ground to deter digging.
Finally, remove or consolidate potential nesting materials by storing firewood piles away from the house and clearing away brush and debris. Trimming tree branches and overgrown shrubs near the roofline can also deny them climbing access to attic spaces. By removing both food and shelter, the property becomes less hospitable, encouraging the opossum to continue its transient journey elsewhere.