how to deter possums

Thank you for clarification on the topic. The smell should keep them away. These are areas such as the garbage bin and plants. In rare cases it may take a few days to deter undesirable habits. But don’t worry if you don’t have any. How to Make Unhealthy Breakfast Options Healthier than Ever? Repair any holes in deck lattices, window screens, or door screens. Plastic may not be the best option to store the hair in as they may mask the smell. This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo. Possums are usually scavengers and generally only eat what's left of something else's kill, such as a raccoon. Spring means blossom and new leaves … and possums. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and shake, or stir, until a smooth mixture is formed. Possum repellents can be an effective solution, however, you’ll want to make sure it is authentic and does not contain elements that are hazardous to your health. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Bits and chips of its bark can be bought over the counter and used to prepare an extremely effective homemade possum repellant spray. On detecting a possum hole on your property or on its outskirts, you will notice that there is more than one hole in a single area. I have what sounds like extended FAMILIES of possums living IN my roof....have seen a few mothers with babies on backs...and i can hear mating wars. How can I find him to get him out? However, never let your dog or cat roam the yard when possums are around- they may attack your pet. Thus, cutting off their food supply makes your house less likely to undergo a possum infestation. Garlic has the same impact on possums as onions do on humans. Possums eat almost anything: carrion, rodents, insects, plants, fruits, garbage, vegetables, pet food, baby birds, and even compost. Will possums dig in the yard for grubs or worm? Possums can enter through holes, loose ventilators, additional spaces, and chimneys. This way, you will be able to deter the possums from coming back. If you have a lower fence you could install fence spikes on the top of the fence to deter possums (as well as cats and rodents) without harming them. What should I do if a possum gets into my house? Additionally, this information will help you use effective bait materials to lure out and catch the possum. However, make sure that you use rubber gloves while dealing with the urine because its odor does not wash off easily. Once the possums learn to adjust themselves to the sudden streams of water, this method fails. Make sure that your garbage cans have tight fitting lids. The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the bottom or underside of the deck. How to Deter Possums from Coming Back. How to Keep Possums and Raccoons Off My Property By Mario Calhoun Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Motion-activated devices are triggered once the possum crosses the sensor but they are also triggered by anything else that crosses the sensor. There are 23 known species of possums but two of them are the most popular i.e. Then my sons said they both saw a small animal with a long tail scampering towards the hole. There are many folk remedies thought to deter possums from gardens. Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard. Keep Possums Away. The common brushtail possum is widespread across Australia and culling is not permitted (with the exception of Tasmania). 2. The most obvious steps to take are to remove food sources and make it harder for them to get access to your rooftop. You have tried a handful of the “guaranteed” gadgets that promise to keep opossums away, and they did not work. USAGE AREAS. Following the aforementioned remedies should be sufficient to keep the possum out. 3. ", "Excellent, helpful info about ways to repel opossum. Once you have sealed up the possum entry point, you can take further steps to stop the possums trying to turn your house into their home in the future. Will try some of the hints, thanks. If opossums (aka possums) are a problem in your yard, mix together camphor oil with enough petroleum jelly to make a paste, and spread it around the base of trees. Preventive Measures to Deter Possums . Actually, pretty much what you need to do if you want to rodent-proof your home. Adding electric fencing approximately 3-4 inches over the top may also help. ", lot of what I read, however I don't see myself using a trap. The small end should extend away from the building and should have a hole roughly 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter. Being woken up early in the morning by an elephant on the roof can be very disruptive and annoying. You can also follow the scientists’ recipe: mix Cayenne pepper with Tabasco sauce, water and detergent. If the opossums are eating under the bird feeder, you may have to stop feeding birds for several weeks. These are some things that attract opossums to a particular area, and ways to discourage them if desired. Everything else is a given. ", "Calling a friend who loves animals to help coax it out of a stairwell. I wanted a non-violent way to get rid, "This gave me the answers I needed about possums. A possum may look like a cute and cuddly creature. Sleeves prevent the possum from climbing into the tree from the ground. Are possums unwanted visitors in your garden? Your garbage bin, of course, is the biggest source of this scrap. 30 to 40 lb. They will eat most anything, but they won't usually kill a live animal. Bring cat/dog food in at night. The bad news, however, is that its smell is not just harmful to pests, but also humans, which is why you should only consider this option to deal with extreme cases of infestations and use the ammonia in a limited manner. Possums do not like bright lights so this will deter them. For it to be effective, the tree needs to be away from other trees, fences or walls that could allow a possum to leap into the branches. Motion Activated Sprinkler. Live-holding traps are rarely banned, however. This means a sturdy paling fence over 1.5m high can prevent possums getting into your garden. Yes, possums do not like flashing or bright lights. The most natural way of getting rid of possums is by having a dog, preferably a hunting breed. The trapped possum may attempt to dig its way out, and placing the trap on a protective surface will prevent it from damaging its paws. Different repellents use different ingredients, but predator urine is often one element of it. Here are a few quick and effective remedies to help possum-proof your place. There are two main methods to successfully protect plants from possums. In case the site of the infestation in your attic, roof or your garage or any indoor place, and when liquid repellents are not an option because of their stench, the next best option is a granular repellent. Take note, though, that this method is effective only during the initial days. Pest infestations have become a severe headache for house owners. According to Penn State: “Adult Virginia opossums are between 24 and 40 inches long. weight. I live in, "The article was extremely helpful. Cover any scraps with LOTS of grass clippings or leaves. Opossums are more than just a nuisance. We were just looking for a deterrent for possums. Place vulnerable plants or seedlings in wire cages or fully enclosed garden greenhouses. Although quite uncommon, there have been instances where they have attacked pets, and even attacked people trying to trap them with their sharp teeth. Deterrents are effective against timid possums, but nothing gets between a determined mother possum and her food! After reading your article, I was able to learn and educate my mom on the correct way to avoid and try to get rid of this possum. They absolutely are repulsed by ammonia and you can spray this stuff mixed with some water in a 1:1 ratio where you suspect possums are to be found. But it can be frustrating when they are munching on your home-grown fruit and vegetables or keeping you up at night by dancing on the roof. I liked the idea of putting bags of mothballs in the vents to move it on. Most definitely. MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News. Food source- Keep garbage covered. If there are no children or pets or people with breathing problems living in the house, ammonia may be used as another way to remove possums from your property. Some cities may require you to obtain a permit. But don’t worry if you don’t have any. ", somewhere else. We've got a few tips for keeping your garden possum free this Spring. If so, you may have to keep the fallen fruit picked up. Possums, also known as opossums (Didelphis virginiana), can decimate your garden, especially your vegetables and fruit-bearing plants.These cat-sized omnivores eat everything from fruits and veggies to snails and birds. This overall length includes a 10 to 12 inch long tail. This can be used to deter possums at ground level or them running along fences. There are several ways to get rid of them if they are hanging out in your yard. Barbecue grills: Clean grills and grease traps after you use them. We are on 3/4 acre in Qld surround by other acreages. Not only are possums nefarious carriers of diseases that might prove fatal for you and your family, but also they can damage valuable furniture, clothes, and wreak havoc on your property. Menthol rubs, perfumed detergents, and even mothballs can deter them when spread around their regular haunts. Are they eating and damaging your plants? What about pet food? Rope. Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard. ", "Interesting and informative. Some areas may have few, if any, restrictions, in which case, you should drive the possum several miles away from your property before releasing it into a wooded area. Learn the best opossum repellents here. Our Expert Agrees: Most pests are looking for a safe place to eat that also has an abundant food source. Moreover, you can also use other items such as naphthalene, mothballs, camphor, and garlic as a spray to deter possums. Now they are in your yard, your attic, and your walls. Be careful when a possum plays dead on you. ", "If I ever have a possum problem, the information will be helpful. I'll give a few suggestions a try. ", evenings, so I was looking for way to get rid of the possum without killing it or harming the cat. Simply placing the pulp in small spaces will also do the trick. You could opt for a motion-sensitive sprinkler system; in case you are looking for an energy efficient option. Most solutions simply involve making the environment less appealing. Its smell makes their eyes sting, and consuming it can prove to be rather uncomfortable for the animal. On grooming your pets, do not throw away the hair that they have shed. A relocated possum will not survive in a new territory. If you have an opossum, infestation chances are you are for anything that will get rid of them. They look like a rat and have white fur on the tips of the tails. Possums carry mites, fleas, and ticks that may adversely affect the health of your pets. Do possums suck blood from eggs or other animals? The spicy smell of the mixture causes a burning sensation in the nasal tracts of pests, thereby, effectively discouraging the possums from coming anywhere near it. A strong chilli spray works to deter some possums. Close an empty trap at dawn to prevent the accidental trapping of a diurnal animal. Do possums like to live in or tear apart insulation underneath my house? Sealing Below a Deck or Building. D-ter is effective as a deterrent. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I found it in a corner behind a large floor lamp. Before we move on to the remedies to repel possums, it is imperative that you are able to accurately identify the pest. You can scatter dog or cat fur around your property, since the smell of a potential predator can deter possums. I noticed at least three holes around the foundation of my house before my yorkie started getting excited at sundown, looking through the front door glass. A possum may bite as a last line of defense but usually, they will run off or resort to playing possum. These creatures rely heavily on scrap food. Quassia chips. The excellent news is possums are not good diggers; they don’t necessarily like to go to much effort for their food. These suggestions may also be valuable for discouraging other wildlife from your area: Hence try this tip on how to remove a possum from your house or how to get rid of possums in order to achieve pest control possum. In order to keep possums out, we need to understand why they seek shelter in our houses in the first place, so that those factors may be eliminated to prevent future infestations. Inexpensive and easily available baits include marshmallows or rotting fish and fruits. Sprinkle the mixture liberally in crawlspaces and other areas of your property that are prone to possum attacks. Some examples of … They are relatively harmless for pets and humans, and are an inexpensive option, a basic pack lasting nearly a month. X How to deter possums the easy way. Having cats and dogs can help deter possums away from your property. With their taste for foliage, flowers and fruits, possums can wreak havoc on your backyard. These means keeping your house and its surrounding as spotless as possible. Possum repellents Listed below are several compounds that have been reported to deter possums from their plants. Keep an eye out for holes and burrows nearby your house. Relocation is only permitted in certain cases and is strictly regulated. Possums do not have hair on their tail and ears, which are larger than a rat’s. Find a friend or neighbor or possibly ask a local pet store or vet for any fur or … In my opinion, wildlife should be encouraged to move on, "I'm seeing more & more possums in my backyard, and I have toy poodles that I let out for fresh air sometimes! Method 2 of 4: Removing Access to Food. You should use mothballs in eliminating the possums as it is the cheapest way. Fortunately, I'm sure … Mothballs, or naphthalene balls, that are used to prevent insects from attacking clothes while in storage, also serve as a natural repellant for possums. Know what to protect. Moreover, you can also use other items such as naphthalene, mothballs, camphor, and garlic as a spray to deter possums. These items can help in many ways because they create a pungent smell that many insects repel. They are nocturnal, which means that your sprinklers should be kept on at night because that is when these creatures are most likely to attack. When trapped, animals often lash out in fear, and you may be scratched or bitten if you are not careful. The Most Irresistible 10 Reasons to Eat More Citrus Fruits, 15 Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea That Will Change the Quality of Your Life, 10 Natural DIY Home Remedies For Pregnancy Test – Including Soap & Vinegar Test, 10 Keys To Building Strong and Successful Blended Family Relationships, 15 Ways to Build A Better Relationship in Various Spheres of Life, 10 Habits to Make Your Life Happier and Increase Quality of Your Life, 10 Inexpensive Solutions For Water Damage Restoration and Water Removal, 10 Effective Ways to Remove Permanent Marker Stains from Clothes, 10 Best Home Solutions for Getting Rid of Fruit Fly Infestation, 8 Best Ideas On How to Clean Jewelry With Household Products, How to Get Rid of Musty Smell – 10 Best Ways for Musty Odor Removal, 10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Carpenter Bees, 21 Easy and Inexpensive Home Remedies to Get Rid of Rats, Mice, and Similar Rodents, 10 Natural Home Remedies For Pest and Critter Control From Your Attic, 20 Natural Ways to Keep Squirrels Away from Your Yard, 20 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Pigeons Naturally and Easily, 11 Tested Home Remedies to Get Rid of Oily and Greasy Hair Naturally and Fast, 10 Home Remedies For HPV Genital Warts Treatment – (Best Apple Cider Vinegar), 17 Natural Ways to Keep Your Hair Naturally Moisturized, 10 Easy Home Remedies to Stop Your Dog Chewing and Licking Allergic Paws, 11 Effective Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Sand Fleas Infestation. Economical and can cover an area up to 80 square meters. If none of the above helps, fret not. While possums are agile creatures and great climbers, they can only jump up to 1m high. Although these creatures are quite easy to identify because of their unique features like their pointed face, and a thick coat of greyish-black fur, people often confuse them with rats. Fruit, berries, vegetables, raw egg, peanut butter, and sardines are attractive bait options for possums. This gave me lots of good, sound advice! However, if you are placing them near your plants make sure that the vinegar is not being soaked into the soils as that may adversely affect the health of the plants. | Australian Women's Weekly content brought to you by Now to Love It can help to make possums empty the closed area such as underneath the sofa and porch. How can I identify it? Most house owners who have a lawn or a garden have sprinkler systems installed, which is one of the most hassle-free methods to keep opossums away from your property. To our surprise, we were also feeding this possum, "It's funny how one little critter can become so confusing. However, if all the above methods fail and you get possums in your house or yard, then you need to search for a possum control service near me. Place the screening or flashing in the trench. ", "Possums keep getting into my home, so this should help. Something as humble as a string of fairy lights and a radio is enough to deter these creatures – they are not the most determined killers. Compost pile? These items can help in many ways because they create a pungent smell that many insects repel. Q. Barriers to Repel Possums. They will smash chicken eggs and lap up the yolk and whites, they will knock over corn and eat your veggies, and they will pick meat from a carcass, but they definitely won't suck blood. However, you can also set traps to capture possums and physically remove them if other simple solutions don't work. Attach the top of the screening to the deck. Birdseed: Avoid laying out birdseed. Peppermint oil. Just like cats hate getting wet, possums are no different! By luring it out with a bait, you can trap the possum in a cage or a makeshift version of it until you find a suitable place to release it so that it cannot make its way back to your house. Brushtail and Ringtail possum. These repellents, usually, contain active ingredients like black pepper and capsaicin, which emit a smell that opossums find unbearable. Preventive Measures to Deter Possums . Possums dislike climbing on unstable surfaces, so when they reach the top they simply turn around and head away. ", "Ways to trap the possum were very helpful.". ", "Sounds helpful, I will try potent scents. Additionally, another reader came up with a way to stop possums eating their rose shoots using fish oil. Thanks! Note that in many states and municipalities, using quick-kill traps to dispose of possums may be restricted or prohibited. Chemical repellents consist of predator urine which is the key element to deter baby possum in house. It won’t harm the roses but the possums hate the smell. Commercially available possum deterrents such as Poss-Off or Scat, work by emitting an unpleasant odour, so, when used according to the instructions on the products, claim to deter the little blighters! Fish oil to deter possums. Avoid stacking bins outside, trim tall grass and other greenery so your property seems more unsuitable for them to live on. A. Nails or fence post staples usually work best. If, however, the problem persists, you should call a professional pest control service. Any knowledge is potential power. ", "Trapping possums to get rid of them. A strong chilli spray works to deter some possums. How to Get Rid of Possums Method 1 of 4: Scaring Possums Away. However, in reality it can wreak havoc on your home. Be mindful of the coverage area of your particular unit - if the area you want to protect exceeds the square footage, you will need to set up multiple devices. Netting can cover the entire plant and cloth bags can cover individual fruit. Set the trap at dusk to increase your odds of catching a possum, which is a nocturnal animal. A few years ago, a family of, "I have a pesky possum that comes up to the patio door looking for food. I want to keep them out for a few days while I have repairs done to keep them out forever. "We had a possum get in the house through the doggy door, it was in the den for about 4 days before I spotted it. There are still a few other things you can do to get rid of the vermin, such as making your property a bit less hospitable. [3] X Research source Possums may remove all of the buds, thereby weakening the plant, creating bare patches, and making it easier for plant diseases to … Ensure that you do this at night when the possum has left to look for food, so that it does not get trapped inside your house. % of people told us that this article helped them. They are most effective in cases where you want to eliminate a possum from a closed space that is not easy for you to reach. I need to get rid of a family of them and now I know how. Once you’ve caught yourself a possum you will then need to release him or her back into a more suitable home, preferably the woods a good distance away from your neighborhood. The smell should keep them away. Instead, place those hairs in pouches and place them in and around your house. Deter Climbing. Keep changing the pulp every day because stale cucumber encourages possums to venture onto your property instead of doing the opposite. Different kinds of pests need to be handled differently, to ward them off your houses. Spray the mixture liberally on your plants and shrubs to guard them against possums. Possums are drawn to a backyard with lush shrubbery. Possums are not aggressive, but they can bite if you are not careful. Each cage trap is set in a slightly different manner, but most have a trigger rod or knob that must be pulled or twisted out when opening the door of the cage. Once captured, just find a place where your possum won't be able to come back or simply just call an animal removal service. Do not intentionally provide food for the possums. With your information, I think I may be able to manage the invasive little buggers. Leave a bright light on in the roof or basement or wherever you suspect them to be lurking. Use appropriate bait. Your article gave me information about both topics. So you need to rehouse them nearby, away from your roof, ideally in a tree in your garden. Grind bits of garlic into fine granules and combine them with chili flakes, or even better, chili powder. These methods can be used on your own, or a professional wildlife expert can also use them for you in order to save time and effort. Thank you for all the tips. Motion-activated sprinklers tend to be slightly more effective than motion-activated lights. Thanks. As these possums are territorial, removing one will not solve your problem as new possums will shortly move into the vacant territory. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Frustrated property owners have gone to great lengths to repel possums over the years. Other areas may require that you release the possum on your property or hire a professional to release the possum. Do not place climbing plants near or on the house, especially not near the eaves areas. Moreover, houses that are close to a fruit or herb garden will be more likely to attract an opossum. ", Ontario, and the critters tend to enjoy producing great numbers of babies. Do mothballs or ammonia help repel opossums? Possums appear to have delicate tastes when it comes to strong odours. Position each repellent to deter approaching opossums from reaching the damage areas. Set the trap on soft ground or place it on plywood if setting it on a hard surface. They weigh between 4 and 12 pounds with males being larger than females. You can, instead, spray vinegar diluted with water to reduce its potency and save your garden. ... Lapsang souchong tea has a strong smoky scent and possums don’t like it at all. The hole should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep. If I relocate a possum a few kilometres away, will it make its way back? Possum repellents Listed below are several compounds that have been reported to deter possums from their plants. Possums seem to be fond of new growth on deciduous vines, fruit on fruit trees, and some of the new growth on pruned evergreens. Yes, they will tear apart insulation and burrow up under your house as one did to mine. If you are looking for more information on how to prevent possums from entering your property, you may want to … Like most mammals, possums use their sense of smell to determine whether a particular area is safe for them to seek refuge. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Get-Rid-of-Possums-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-Rid-of-Possums-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Get-Rid-of-Possums-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid2585581-v4-728px-Get-Rid-of-Possums-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"