Best Way to Keep Possums Away From House

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Possums are unremarkably non-aggressive animals, just they tin can create unsanitary weather condition and may turn aggressive if they become diseased. At that place are several ways to go rid of them if they are hanging out in your 1000. Most solutions simply involve making the environment less appealing. Notwithstanding, you tin also set traps to capture possums and physically remove them if other unproblematic solutions don't work.

1. 1

   Set up motility-activated lights or sprinklers. Place a movement-activated device near the perimeter of your firm, at the forepart of your belongings, around fruit trees, or on any other spots where possums frequent. Once the device is triggered on the animal several times, it won't want to come around again.^[one]

   • Motion-activated devices are triggered once the possum crosses the sensor but they are too triggered by anything else that crosses the sensor.
   • Motion-activated sprinklers tend to be slightly more constructive than movement-activated lights. Lights are plenty to frighten abroad skittish possums that are afraid of humans, but h2o sprinklers work improve with possums that are a little more mature and a little harder to startle.

2. 2

   Scatter dog or cat fur in the areas that possums frequent. Collect pet hair later on brushing your dog or true cat. Identify the hair in small-scale mesh bags and hang them or scatter them effectually areas at which possums often gather.

   • The smell of a potential predator might be enough to deter many possums from hanging around.

   Note: Practice not let your domestic dog or cat roam complimentary through the yard for the purpose of scaring away possums. They could get into a fight with aggressive possums or other unsafe animals.

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3. three

   Spread something that smells potent. Ammonia and garlic are scents that possums tend to flee from. If using ammonia, pour a small amount of ammonia into a coffee can with a lid. Place a rag within the ammonia and bring i end up through a hole cut into the lid. The rag will human action as a wick to disperse the fumes. Identify ane of these containers in every expanse where possums get together.^[2]

   • Place a clove of crushed garlic in any area that you want neighborhood possums to avoid. Crushed garlic is better than whole garlic since burdensome it first allows more of the scent to escape.^[3]

4. iv

   Use a chemical repellent. Chemic repellents can be applied to gardens, flowerbeds, or the base of a structure. Purchase a product from your local home improvement or hardware shop. Follow the instructions on the repellent to employ information technology safely. Most repellents consist of a powder that is sprinkled over the desired area.^[iv]

   • Different repellents use dissimilar ingredients, just predator urine is oft i element of it.

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1. 1

   Practice not intentionally provide nutrient for the possums. Possums are attracted to yards and homes where food is plentiful, so feeding them your scraps will go on them around. By removing food sources, you volition make your property dramatically less appealing.^[5]

   • Y'all may recall that y'all are doing a adept deed, but possums fed past humans gradually lose their fear of humans and are more likely to go ambitious when nutrient is non given to them.

   Skillful TIP

   Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Command Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry'south leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Direction Clan (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC'south work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

   

   Kevin Carrillo
   MMPC, Pest Command Specialist

   Our Expert Agrees: Most pests are looking for a rubber identify to eat that also has an arable food source. If you're leaving food out for other animals like stray cats, it's more likely that possums are eating the nutrient. Eliminate the food sources to remove your possum trouble.

2. ii

   Preclude possums from getting into your trash. Keep the hat of your garbage cans airtight by securing it with bungee cords, chains, ropes, or weights. You could also purchase garbage cans with lids that have clamps to keep them on.^[6]

   • Securing side handles to stakes driven into the ground will forbid the trash bins from tipping over.

3. 3

   Feed your pets indoors. Even if your pets eat their food quickly, the odour of the nutrient residue may lure possums to your 1000. If feeding within is not possible, feed your pets outdoors in the late morning or heart of the afternoon, so that the food is non around in the early morning or late at nighttime, which is when possums are most active.^[vii]

   • Remove all sources of nutrient and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house.

   This includes feeding animals you keep outside, such equally chickens. Possums are ofttimes attracted to craven feed and they tin can kill your chickens if they become into a coop, so feed your chickens midday if possible.^[8]

4. 4

   Remove or secure any other sources of food. There are a wide variety of sources of food for possums. For example, practise non use open compost piles and go along compost in secure containers, covered compost structures, or covered worm boxes. Other sources that need to be dealt with include:^[9]

   • Barbecue grills: Clean grills and grease traps after you use them.
   • Fruit: Selection upwards fruit that drops from trees or bushes.
   • Birdseed: Avert laying out birdseed. If you exercise provide birdseed, try to lay some out in the late morning or mid-afternoon and only spread enough to feed the birds for that single 24-hour interval. Alternatively, fill bird feeders with seed and transfer them within each dark at dusk.

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1. 1

   Get a live-property cage trap. If you have possums in your crawlspaces, such as your roof or nether your business firm, you may need to physically remove them. Get a live-holding trap from a big-box home improvement store or from an online retailer. Live-holding traps capture possums without hurting or killing them. They are preferable to quick-impale traps.^[ten]

   • Annotation that in many states and municipalities, using quick-kill traps to dispose of possums may be restricted or prohibited. Live-belongings traps are rarely banned, however.
   • Find out from your municipality if there are any restrictions on trapping. Some cities may require yous to obtain a permit. Others may have specific demands about where to release the animal and who tin can do so.

2. 2

   Ready up the trap in the possum's path. Follow the manufacturer'south instructions to allurement and set the trap. Setting it nigh the suspected den is ideal, merely any surface area that frequently suffers damage due to a possum is an acceptable location to choose.^[xi]

   • Ready the trap on soft basis or identify it on plywood if setting it on a hard surface. The trapped possum may attempt to dig its way out, and placing the trap on a protective surface volition prevent information technology from damaging its paws.
   • Fix the trap at sunset to increase your odds of catching a possum, which is a nocturnal animal. Shut an empty trap at dawn to preclude the accidental trapping of a diurnal beast.
   • Each cage trap is prepare in a slightly different manner, simply nigh accept a trigger rod or knob that must be pulled or twisted out when opening the door of the muzzle. When the animal steps inside, it triggers this rod and snaps the door closed. Follow the specific manufacturer'south instructions that come with your cage trap for more than specific directions.
   • Employ appropriate allurement. Fruit, berries, vegetables, raw egg, peanut butter, and sardines are attractive bait options for possums.

3. 3

   Monitor the trap. Watch the trap continually so that y'all will know as soon as possible if a possum gets trapped in information technology. One time the possum is captured, motility the trap to a serenity spot and embrace it with a tarp until you are set to release it.^[12]

   • Use thick gloves or a long pole to foreclose yourself from getting scratched through the cage.

4. 4

   Release the animal from the trap. Practise caution when releasing the animal or phone call a wild animals professional. When releasing the animal, indicate the opening in the management yous desire the fauna to run off in. Stand at the opposite end of the door and tap the trap with your foot or a long pole until the animal runs out.

   • Exercise extreme caution when releasing a trapped animate being. When trapped, animals often lash out in fear, and y'all may be scratched or bitten if you are not careful.^[xiii]
   • Know your local laws concerning releasing possums and other trapped animals. Some areas may have few, if any, restrictions, in which case, you lot should drive the possum several miles abroad from your property before releasing it into a wooded area. Other areas may require that y'all release the possum on your property or rent a professional to release the possum.^[14]

   If yous suspect that the possum may bite you, attach a rope to the door earlier setting information technology so that you can open information technology from a distance.

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1. 1

   Cover your foundation vents. One of the easiest ways for possums to sneak into your home is through the dryer vent or other vents along the foundation. Cake possums from sneaking in through these openings by covering them with slotted metal vent covers. ^[xv]

   • These covers are screwed onto the vent and accept simply plenty room for steam and smoke to escape but not plenty for possums to sneak through.

2. 2

   Trim tree branches. Possums can sneak onto your roof if tree branches or other tall plants are positioned nearby. Tree branches should be trimmed a minimum of five feet (1.5 k) away from the roof.^[16]

   • Practice not place climbing plants nigh or on the firm, especially not near the eaves areas.

3. iii

   Protect the underside of low decks. Possums oft hide out nether depression decks, so these should also exist protected with some form of metallic barrier. Employ ^one⁄₄ inch (six.iv mm) filigree screening or solid metal flashing all around the base of operations to build a barrier:^[17]

   • Dig a trench around the perimeter of the deck. The pigsty should be at to the lowest degree 12 inches (xxx.5 cm) deep. Place the screening or flashing in the trench. The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the lesser or underside of the deck.
   • Fill the trench in with clay, packing it down in place to prevent the screening from beingness jolted or wiggled around.
   • Attach the acme of the screening to the deck. Nails or debate post staples usually work best.

4. 4

   Create a temporary one-manner get out for any trapped possums. If you doubtable that possums might be trapped beneath your deck, provide them with a temporary means of escape. Instead of sealing upwards the final section of screening, use ^one⁄₄ inch (half dozen.four mm) grid screening to form door or a funnel that the possum can get out of but can't get back in through.^[18]

   • To use a one-way go out funnel, the large finish should exist big plenty for a possum to fit through and should exist attached to the barrier using nails or fence mail staples. The small end should extend away from the building and should accept a hole roughly iv to 6 inches (10 to fifteen cm) in diameter. This volition allow possums to squeeze their style out but not clasp their way in.
   • Keep this passage open up for a few days to i week before sealing up the pigsty.

5. five

   Seal whatever other open up spaces. Your home may accept other open spaces that will appear inviting to a possum looking for a warm home or a complimentary meal. Attic vents and chimneys should exist covered with i/iv-inch (6.35-mm) grid screening. You could also employ insect screening over the vents or y'all should have a chimney cap installed.^[19]

   • Repair any holes in deck lattices, window screens, or door screens.
   • Lock or comprehend pet doors at night.

   If yous alive in a mobile home, cover the open infinite below the home with wire fabric. Make sure that the barrier extends from the ground all the mode upwards to the bottom of the trailer. Cement block and woods lattice can also be used.

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• Question

  How do you lot go along possums away?

  

  Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest command service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry'due south leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Direction Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Clan (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

  

  MMPC, Pest Control Specialist

  Expert Answer

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  Utilise heavy metallic trash cans with metal lids that can fully shut. Remove areas of continuing water on your holding. Cut back shrubbery and overgrowth around your chiliad. Fully block off your crawl infinite and make it impenetrable from the exterior.

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Things You'll Demand

• Motion-activated lights or sprinklers
• Dog or cat fur
• Ammonia or garlic
• Chemical repellents

• Secure compost containers

• Live-belongings cage trap
• Food allurement, such as fruit, berries, vegetables, raw egg, peanut butter, or sardines

• Metal vent covers
• Chimney cap
• Grid screening
• Nails or fencing staples
• Tree trimming tools

Virtually This Commodity

Commodity Summary X

To get rid of possums, eliminate nutrient sources by keeping your garbage contained, feeding your pets inside, and picking upwards whatever fruit that drops from trees or bushes. Additionally, keep your grass mowed and the area around your house costless of piles of wood, grass clippings, or other debris, which tin provide comprehend for possums. You tin can besprinkle canis familiaris or cat fur effectually your property, since the aroma of a potential predator can deter possums. Alternatively, effort spreading ammonia, mothballs, or garlic around your house, as these are all smells possums dislike. To learn how to fix a alive-holding muzzle trap to become rid of possums, scroll down!

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