Possums are usually non aggressive, but they can create unsanitary conditions and turn aggressive if they become sick.If they are hanging out in your yard, there are a number of ways to get rid of them.Making the environment less appealing is one of the most common solutions.If other simple solutions don't work, you can set traps to capture the animals.
Step 1: The lights or sprinklers should be set up.
If you have fruit trees on your property, place a motion-activated device around them.The device will not want to come around again if it is triggered several times.Anything that crosses the sensor can cause motion-activated devices to be triggered.Motion-activated sprinklers are more effective than lights.Water sprinklers work better with possums that are a little more mature and harder to startle, because lights are enough to frighten them away.
Step 2: Dog or cat fur can be found in areas that are prone to possums.
After brushing your dog or cat, collect its hair.Place the hair in small mesh bags and hang them or scatter them around where the possums gather.It is possible that the smell of a predator will deter many possums from hanging around.
Step 3: Spread something that smells good.
Possums like to flee from odors such as ammonia and garlic.A small amount of ammonia can be poured into a coffee can.Place a rag inside the ammonia and put one end through the hole in the lid.The fumes will be dispersed by the rag.Place a container in every area where the animals gather.Place a clove of garlic in an area that you want people to avoid.Whole garlic is better than crushed garlic because it allows more of the scent to escape.
Step 4: It's a good idea to apply a chemical repellence.
Chemicals can be applied to gardens, flowerbeds, or the base of a structure.Purchase a product from a store.To apply it safely, follow the instructions.A powder is sprinkled over the desired area.predator urine is often one part of a different repellent.
Step 5: Do not give food to the animals.
Possums are attracted to yards and homes where food is plentiful, so feeding them your scraps will keep them around.You can make your property less appealing by removing food sources.Possums that are fed by humans lose their fear of humans and are more likely to become aggressive when food is not given to them.
Step 6: Possums can get into your trash.
The garbage can lid should be secured with bungee cords, chains, ropes, or weights.Garbage cans with clamps can be bought.The trash bins will not tipping over if side handles and stakes are secured.
Step 7: Pets can be fed indoors.
The smell of food may lure animals to your yard.If it's not possible to feed your pets inside, you should feed them outside in the middle of the day so that they don't get hungry during the early morning or late night hours.Before dusk, remove all sources of food and water from the house, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings.
Step 8: Any other sources of food should be removed or secured.
There are a lot of different sources of food.Compost should not be kept in open compost piles, in covered compost structures, or in worm boxes.Grease traps and clean grills are some of the sources that need to be dealt with.Pick up fruit that falls from trees.Laying out birdseed is a bad idea.If you do provide birdseed, try to spread it out in the morning or afternoon and only feed the birds for a single day.Bird feeders can be filled with seed and transferred into them at night.
Step 9: There is a live-holding cage trap.
If you have possums under your house or on your roof, you may need to physically remove them.You can get a live-holding trap from a big-box home improvement store.There are live-holding traps that capture possums.They are better than quick-kill traps.The use of quick-kill traps to dispose of animals may be restricted in some states.Live-holding traps are not usually banned.Find out if there are any restrictions on trapping.You may have to get a permit in some cities.Some people may have specific demands about where the animal can be released.
Step 10: The trap should be in the path of the animal.
To set the trap, follow the manufacturer's instructions.It is ideal to set it near the suspected den, but any area that frequently suffers damage due to a possum is an acceptable location.If you want to set the trap on a hard surface, place it on soft ground.Placing a trap on a protective surface will prevent the trapped animal from damaging its paws.You can increase your odds of catching a nocturnal animal by setting the trap at dusk.The accidental trapping of a diurnal animal can be prevented by closing an empty trap at dawn.When opening the door of a cage, most have atrigger rod or knob that must be pulled or twisted out.The animal snaps the door closed when it steps inside.For more specific directions, follow the manufacturer's instructions for your cage trap.Appropriate bait can be used.Fruit, berries, vegetables, raw egg, peanut butter, and sardines are attractive bait options.
Step 11: The trap should be monitored.
If a possum gets trapped in the trap, you need to watch it constantly.When you are ready to release the animal, cover the trap with a tarp and move it to a quiet spot.If you get scratched through the cage, use thick gloves or a pole.
Step 12: The animal is in a trap.
Call a wildlife professional if you want to exercise caution when releasing an animal.If you want the animal to run off in a different direction, point the opening in that direction.Stand at the opposite end of the door and tap the trap with your foot or pole until the animal runs out.When releasing a trapped animal, exercise extreme caution.You may be bitten or scratched if you are not careful when trapped.Know your local laws regarding the release of trapped animals.You should drive the animal several miles away from your property before releasing it into a wooded area if there are few restrictions.Other areas may require you to hire a professional to release the animal.
Step 13: Put your foundation vents in place.
One of the easiest ways to get into your home is through the dryer vent.Put metal vent covers on the openings to block the possums from entering.The covers are screwed onto the vent and have enough room for steam and smoke to escape, but not enough for possums to sneak through.
Step 14: The tree branches should be trimmed.
Possums can get onto your roof if tree branches are nearby.There is a minimum distance from the roof for tree branches to be trimmed.Climbing plants should not be placed near the house or the eaves areas.
Step 15: The underside of low decks need to be protected.
Possums are often hidden under low decks, so they should be protected with a metal barrier.If you want to build a barrier, dig a trench around the perimeter of the deck.The hole should be at least 12 inches deep.The trench has screening or flashing in it.The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the deck.Put dirt in the trench to prevent the screening from being moved around.Attach the screening to the deck.Fence post staplers work best.
Step 16: There is a temporary one-way exit for trapped animals.
Provide the possums with temporary means of escape if you suspect they are trapped below your deck.Instead of closing the final section of screening, use a 4 inch grid screening to form a door or a funnel that the animal can't get out of.To use a one-way exit funnel, the large end needs to be big enough for a possum to fit through and should be attached to the barrier using nails or fence post staplers.The small end should extend away from the building and have a hole in it.Possums will be allowed to squeeze out but not squeeze in.For a few days to a week, keep this passage open.
Step 17: Open spaces should be sealed.
There are other open spaces in your home that may look inviting to a possum.The grid screening should cover the attic vents and chimneys.You could install a chimney cap or use insect screening.There are holes in deck lattices, window screens, and door screens.Pet doors can be locked or covered at night.