Possums aren't the cutest animals around, but when they're in their native habitat, they're usually rather harmless. Even though they resemble rats and other rodents more, they are marsupials like our beloved kangaroos and koalas. Sometimes, their presence can be a nightmare.
Possums adore creating secret nests in the hollows of trees. Unfortunately, homes are gradually taking the place of the trees that originally served as possums' habitat. As a result, it is not unexpected to discover possums in your vegetable garden or, worse, in the crevices of your roof.
Damage identification
Before discussing possum control strategies, let's unfold more details about them. Opossums are the only marsupials found in the United States, which may surprise you. They can be extremely annoying bugs, so that might be the only cool thing about them. Opossums come in various species, yet they all share a similar appearance. They can weigh up to 15 pounds and are 1 to 4 feet long.
They have long, hairless tails and silver or gray fur as fur. The opossum is seen as a pest because of behaviors including ruining gardens and yards, rummaging through rubbish, and stealing food that has been left out.
Opossum Removal Instructions
Opossum repellents and trapping are two frequent control strategies for possums in backyards. Fencing is an additional choice.
Anti-possum products
Many products are available on the market designed to deter these wild creatures. These, however, rarely provide any solace. Motion-activated sprinkler systems, which can surprise and terrify the animals, are one of the other possum control strategies.
Traps
Opossum trapping is another popular possum control strategy. It's not as difficult to capture an opossum as it is to figure out what to do with it after you catch it. In most places, this calls for translocation by a certified (licensed) wildlife expert.
Chemical sprays
Plants can get seriously injured or even killed when possums repeatedly feed on them, especially when the new growth is continuously destroyed. Sprays that offer protection are useful in this circumstance. D-Ter and Poss-Off are just a few commercial products used for growth (such as new shoots, buds, and leaves).
These don't affect plants, possums, or pets because they are a deterrence rather than a poison. They must be used frequently because they might be destroyed by rain, irrigation, or even heavy dew.
Remove hidden areas
Opossums prefer environments with lots of covers. Wooded regions, abandoned burrows, beneath steps, under decks, tree crevices, brush heaps, fields near water, and outside structures like sheds are common places where they set up residence. You should eliminate as many of these as possible to deter opossums from entering your yard.
This includes maintaining groomed grass and vegetation, clearing trash, keeping brush piles away from habitations, and patching cracks in shed walls. Keep your garden clean and clutter-free because opossums are typically reluctant to enter well-kept gardens.
Moving upward Deterring
Make it difficult for possums to climb fences or other vegetation. Make the structure tough to climb if the possum uses it to access the plant. Wrap posts and beams of structures, such as pergolas, in galvanized iron sheets. This will prevent the possum from using its claws to grasp the surface.
- To do the possum control from descending from the structure, you must ensure that there are no trees or plants nearby.
- Another option is to use a plastic trash can with the bottom removed and the side slit. Put it around the tree's trunk to prevent the possum from climbing.
- To make climbing the tree more challenging, you might wrap sheet metal around the tree trunk.
- You might also round the trunk with a thick net. Possums won't climb because the netting will trap their feet.
How do possum deterrents function?
Repellents are substances or tools that impair an animal's sense of taste, smell, or hearing. Since killing possums should only be used as a last resort, using repellents is a more environmentally acceptable method of possum control.
Some repellents contain elements from a predator's urine that cause pests to become afraid. Electronic repellent is another kind; it is set to scare away bugs with light or sound.
Conclusion
Trapping and removing the possum is a common solution used by gardeners to handle their possum issue. Following local regulations when trapping and moving possums is crucial because there are some limits. Frequently, a new possum wanders in, aggravating the situation rather than resolving it.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, the best course of action is to put up with the possum you already have. You might even construct a possum box for it in a large tree. Possums are territorial, so this one will keep other possums away, plus you already know what it likes to eat!
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