Pest Control for Opossums
Opossums are often misunderstood, but they are fascinating creatures and North America’s only marsupials. Commonly found throughout North and South Carolina, opossums have diverse diets that include human food waste and can sometimes seek shelter in homes and businesses. To protect your property from opossums, it’s important to understand their behavior, implement prevention strategies, and know your options for dealing with an infestation.
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What Are Opossums?
Opossums, often referred to as possums, are recognizable by their grey fur, white face, long pink snouts, and prehensile tails that aid in climbing. They can grow to the size of a large house cat and are omnivorous, eating everything from insects to small rodents. One remarkable feature of opossums is their resistance to rabies.
How Do I Identify Opossums?
From a distance, opossums might resemble raccoons or cats, but they can be distinguished by their long, pointed faces and tails. When threatened, they exhibit a unique defense mechanism: playing dead while secreting a foul-smelling fluid and becoming completely stiff. If you encounter an opossum, it’s best to consult a pest control expert for assistance.
Why Do I Have Opossums?
Opossums are opportunistic feeders, often seen foraging through trash cans or bird feeders near homes and businesses. They can take shelter in secluded areas such as attics or under porches if they find a way in. Thankfully, these nocturnal creatures tend to avoid confrontations with humans.
What Are the Effects of Opossums in and Around My Home or Business?
Having an opossum living around or inside your property can lead to various issues. They may disrupt garbage or compost, attracting other scavengers and causing minor property damage. While they are not major rabies carriers, opossums can leave behind fleas and droppings that may create hygiene concerns.
How Long Do Opossums Live?
In the wild, opossums in North and South Carolina typically live 2-4 years, though their lifespan may be shorter due to predation and environmental factors. They can begin reproducing at around one year of age, often having up to three litters per year with 6-9 “joeys” in each litter. This high reproductive rate can lead to rapid population growth in areas where food and shelter are abundant.
How Do I Prevent Opossums?
Preventing opossums is essential to avoiding an infestation. To keep them at bay, seal any cracks or gaps in your property’s exterior to block their access. Ensure that garbage and compost bins are securely closed with tight-fitting lids to deter rummaging. Additionally, remove potential food sources like pet food left outdoors or fallen fruit in your yard. These measures can effectively minimize the chances of attracting opossums to your property.
Protecting Your Home or Business from Opossums with AXCarolinas
AnXCarolinas offers expert wildlife management services tailored to effectively control and prevent opossum invasions on your property. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach focuses on identifying the root causes of pest issues and addressing them directly. We prioritize methods that minimize risks to human health, pets, and the environment while ensuring thorough control of opossum populations.
