The Virginia opossum, the only marsupial found in North America, is an adaptable creature often drawn to suburban environments by readily available resources. These nocturnal animals become unwelcome visitors when they raid garbage cans, consume pet food, damage gardens, or seek shelter beneath decks and in attics. Adopting a systematic, non-lethal approach to deterrence ensures both property protection and the animal’s safety. The most effective strategy involves removing the primary reasons they visit, installing physical barriers, and then using sensory deterrents to encourage them to leave.
Eliminating Primary Attractants
The most effective initial step in deterrence involves removing the food and water sources that attract opossums to a yard. Opossums are omnivores with a keen sense of smell, and they will return repeatedly to reliable food locations. Securing household garbage is paramount, which involves using bins with locking lids or heavy-duty bungee cords wrapped around the container. All pet food and water bowls must be brought indoors before dusk, as opossums are primarily active at night and readily consume unmonitored kibble. Fallen fruit should be collected daily and disposed of securely, and bird feeders must be secured to prevent spilled seed accumulation. Addressing water sources, such as fixing leaky hoses or draining pet bowls left outside overnight, also reduces the property’s appeal.
Implementing Physical Exclusion Barriers
Structural exclusion is a highly reliable method that physically blocks opossums from den sites and vulnerable areas. Because opossums do not typically construct their own dens, they seek existing shelter in places like sheds, under porches, or in wood piles. Sealing all structural entry points is necessary, which includes covering attic vents, chimneys, and foundation gaps with durable, small-mesh hardware cloth. To prevent burrowing beneath decks or sheds, an L-shaped trench barrier is recommended. This method requires burying galvanized wire mesh 6 to 12 inches deep and bending the lower portion outward 12 inches horizontally, preventing the opossum from digging directly under the barrier. For gardens, high-value plants can be protected by installing a four-foot-high wire mesh fence with the top 12 to 18 inches bent outward to prevent climbing.
Utilizing Sensory Deterrents
Once attractants are removed and physical barriers are in place, sensory deterrents can be used to make the environment uncomfortable and discourage visits. Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers or bright lights, exploit the opossum’s nocturnal nature and aversion to sudden changes. The sudden burst of water or light startles the animal, creating a negative association with the area. Taste and smell repellents provide an additional layer of protection, particularly for gardens, often containing capsaicin to irritate the animal’s sensitive nose and mouth. Predator urine scents, such as fox or coyote urine, can also be applied around the perimeter to signal danger, though these require reapplication after rain. Modifying the habitat by clearing dense brush and wood piles near the house reduces safe, dark hiding spots, making the property less appealing for establishing a temporary den.