Opossums
Foggers Pest Control is Central MN's Trusted Company for the Removal of Opossums.
Do you have Opossums nesting under your porch or in your crawlspace?
Opossums are small to medium sized marsupials native to the Americas, recognizable by their pointed snouts, prehensile tails, and white faces. They can cause problems for homeowners by raiding garbage, nesting in attics or crawlspaces, damaging insulation, and carrying fleas or parasites.
Why Homeowners Need Professional Opossum Removal
Homeowners need professional opossum removal because these animals can pose health risks to people and pets. Opossums can carry pathogens such as leptospirosis and salmonella and can host parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites that spread disease. Their droppings and urine can contaminate insulation and living spaces, creating unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odors that require proper cleanup to avoid lingering health hazards.
Opossums also cause property damage by nesting in attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and under porches, where they can tear insulation, gnaw wiring, damage vents, and destroy stored materials. Handling or attempting to remove opossums without experience increases the risk of bites and improper exclusion that allows reentry. Professionals provide safe removal, humane relocation when legal, and exclusion and repair work to prevent recurrence and protect both health and home.
Signs of Opossum Presence to Look For
Scratch marks on wooden fences, patios, or under decks, droppings that are dark and tapered, and disturbed garbage or pet food left outside are common signs that opossums are visiting a property. Homeowners may also notice tracks in soft soil or mud showing five toes on both front and hind feet, and flattened bedding or nesting material under porches or in crawl spaces.
Sounds at night such as hissing, clicking, or low growls, along with sightings of a slow-moving, grayish animal with a hairless prehensile tail, are direct indicators of opossum presence. Additionally, finding dead animals or remnants near foundations can signal scavenging activity.
FAQs About Opossums
How can I tell if an animal in my yard is an opossum?
Opossums have a pointed snout, white face, grayish fur, hairless prehensile tail, and opposable toes on the hind feet. They move slowly and often play dead when threatened.
Are opossums dangerous to people or pets?
Opossums are generally nonaggressive and avoid confrontation. They can bite if cornered. They may carry parasites like fleas or ticks and can occasionally carry diseases, so avoid direct contact and keep pets supervised.
What signs indicate opossums are living under my house or in my yard?
Look for droppings, tracks, overturned garbage, shredded insulation or nesting materials, and smeared grease marks where they squeeze through openings. You may also hear scratching at night.
Can opossums damage my home or property?
Opossums can chew wiring, insulation, and ductwork if they gain access to crawl spaces. They may also dig through compost, damage garden plants, and knock over trash containers while foraging.
What attracts opossums to a property?
Accessible food sources like pet food, unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, compost, and birdseed attract opossums. Safe shelter such as woodpiles, brush piles, crawl spaces, and open sheds also draw them.
How do professionals typically remove opossums from a property?
Trappers may use live cage traps to capture individual animals, then relocate them according to local regulations. Technicians also seal entry points, remove attractants, and clean contaminated areas to prevent return.
Is relocation allowed and regulated?
Relocation laws vary by jurisdiction. Some areas require permits or prohibit relocation due to disease spread and ecological concerns. Check local wildlife agency rules before moving an animal.
How do I prevent opossums from returning after removal?
Seal gaps and vents in foundations and crawl spaces, secure garbage and compost, remove outdoor pet food, trim overhanging branches, and clear brush piles and wood stacks that provide shelter.
What should I do if I find baby opossums alone?
If they are warm and in a nest, the mother may be nearby. Leave them alone for a short period while observing from a distance. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or local animal control for guidance if they remain unattended.
Can opossums coexist with pets?
Many pets will ignore or chase opossums. To minimize conflicts, supervise outdoor time, secure pet food, and keep yards fenced. If an opossum shows signs of illness or aggression, contact animal control.
Will removing food sources always stop opossums from coming back?
Removing food sources reduces attraction but may not eliminate visits if there is nearby shelter. Combine food control with exclusion and habitat modification for best results.
How long does it take to make a property opossum-proof?
Time varies by property size and existing entry points. Minor exclusions and cleanup can be completed in a day. More extensive repairs or structural sealing may take several days to weeks.