The North American opossum is a nocturnal marsupial frequently visiting suburban areas due to readily available food and shelter. While generally non-aggressive, their presence can disrupt yards and gardens. Effective deterrence focuses on non-lethal, humane methods that exploit the animal’s natural aversion to strong smells, bright lights, and physical obstacles. The most reliable way to encourage them to leave is by making your property unattractive and inaccessible.
Scents and Flavors That Deter Possums
The opossum’s keen sense of smell makes it highly susceptible to strong, unpleasant odors. Substances that mimic predator scents or are chemically irritating serve as effective sensory repellents. Ammonia is often recommended because its pungent odor simulates predator urine, signaling danger. To use this effectively, place ammonia-soaked rags in small, open containers near entry points or den sites, keeping them away from pets and children.
Other household items with sharp aromas can create a perimeter barrier. Crushed garlic, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper can be mixed with water and dish soap to create an adhesive spray. Reapply this mixture frequently, especially after rain, to maintain potency. Peppermint oil is another common repellent; place cotton balls soaked in the concentrated oil around garden beds or under decks.
Commercial predator urine products, typically derived from foxes or coyotes, utilize the opossum’s instinctual fear response. These liquid or granular products should be sprinkled around the perimeter of the protected area. Relying on scent alone is a short-term fix, as a hungry opossum will often tolerate an unpleasant smell if food is guaranteed.
Removing Food and Shelter Attractants
The most effective long-term strategy is eliminating the primary reasons opossums enter a yard: food and safe lodging. Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, making unsecured waste and pet food major attractants. Secure standard garbage cans with bungee cords, stretch latches, or U-bolt locking mechanisms to prevent lids from being lifted or cans tipped over.
Pet food should be brought indoors at dusk, as opossums are nocturnal and will readily consume any food left out. Fallen fruit should be collected daily, and vegetable gardens kept clean of overripe or dropped produce. Open compost piles are an invitation, offering a warm mixture of food scraps. Switching to a sealed, raised compost tumbler eliminates access to this resource.
Shelter removal is equally important, as opossums seek dark, dry, and protected spaces for nesting. Clear dense brush piles, rock stacks, and unsecured woodpiles away from the home’s perimeter. Access points under structures like decks, porches, and sheds must be sealed, especially during the breeding season.
Physical Barriers and Access Prevention
Physical barriers offer a permanent solution by blocking access to structures and specific areas of the yard. For securing areas beneath decks or sheds, trench screening is highly effective. This involves digging a 10 to 12-inch deep trench around the structure’s perimeter and attaching heavy-gauge, 1/2-inch hardware cloth to the base.
The mesh should extend vertically into the trench and then bend outward at a 90-degree angle, extending a minimum of 12 inches before being covered with soil. This apron prevents the opossum from digging under the barrier. For garden protection, a 4 to 5-foot fence made of a smooth material, such as corrugated metal sheeting, prevents the opossum from gaining a foothold to climb.
For non-physical disruption, motion-activated deterrents exploit the opossum’s nocturnal preference for darkness. Motion-activated sprinklers deliver a sudden, startling burst of water that conditions the animal to avoid the area. Motion-activated lights achieve a similar effect by flooding the area with bright light, making the opossum feel exposed and encouraging retreat.