The North American opossum, recognizable by its pointed face and prehensile tail, is the only marsupial species native to the continent. Frequent sightings in suburban and urban settings are becoming common as its habitat overlaps with human development. These nocturnal visitors are highly adaptable and often go unnoticed until they are spotted scavenging or resting in a sheltered area. Understanding the reasons behind their presence is the first step in coexisting with this unique wildlife species.
What Attracts Opossums to Your Yard
Opossums are omnivorous opportunists, and their presence is tied to the availability of three main resources: food, water, and shelter. An unsecured trash can is a primary food source, as these scavengers are attracted to the odors of food scraps and leftovers. Pet food left outside, especially overnight, is another high-value reward that draws them into residential areas.
They also readily consume natural food sources found in a yard. These include fallen fruit from trees, birdseed spilled from feeders, and the insects, snails, and slugs that inhabit garden beds. A steady supply of water also draws them in, and a leaky outdoor spigot, a full pet water bowl, or a shallow bird bath can provide a reliable drink. Opossums prefer moist environments and may establish a temporary home near any available water source.
The search for a safe place to rest during the day leads opossums to seek out sheltered spaces. They do not build their own dens but instead utilize existing cavities and structures. This includes spaces underneath decks, porches, or sheds, which offer a dark, dry, and protected environment. Piles of wood, dense brush, or even an unsealed opening into a garage can serve as suitable temporary shelter.
Understanding Opossum Behavior and Health Risks
Opossums are solitary, non-aggressive animals active primarily between dusk and dawn. When threatened, they display a defensive posture by hissing, growling, and baring their fifty teeth. This display is a bluff, and their most distinctive defense mechanism is the involuntary physiological response known as “playing possum.”
This reaction involves the animal entering a temporary catatonic state where it collapses, slows its breathing, and secretes a foul-smelling fluid that mimics the scent of decay. This feigned death is effective at deterring predators that prefer live prey. The opossum’s naturally low body temperature makes them poor hosts for the rabies virus. While any mammal can contract rabies, the probability of encountering a rabid opossum is low.
Opossums offer a benefit to the ecosystem as natural scavengers that help control common garden pests. They consume a variety of invertebrates, including slugs and snails, and prey on small rodents. Opossums are also known to eat ticks, which helps reduce the population of these parasites in a yard. However, they can carry other pathogens, such as the bacteria causing leptospirosis and salmonella, which are spread primarily through urine and feces.
How to Gently Encourage Opossums to Move On
The most effective way to encourage an opossum to move away is to eliminate the resources that initially attracted it. Securing all outdoor garbage cans is a crucial first step, accomplished by using bungee cords, latches, or locks to fasten the lids tightly. Since opossums are motivated by easy meals, all pet food bowls should be brought indoors overnight, and spilled birdseed should be regularly cleaned up.
If you have fruit trees, ensure all ripe and fallen fruit is picked up daily to remove a readily available food source. Removing ground-level water sources, such as fixing leaky hoses or tipping over containers, will make the area less appealing. Implementing exclusion methods will prevent opossums from utilizing existing den sites on your property.
Potential entry points under structures like decks, sheds, and porches should be sealed off. Use heavy-gauge wire mesh buried several inches below the ground to prevent digging. Because opossums prefer dark travel paths, motion-activated lights can serve as a gentle deterrent that startles them. They will move on once reliable food, water, and shelter sources become inaccessible.