Opossum Control
Like raccoons, opossum are medium sized mammal pests that are adaptable and can make life quite a hassle for humans. They are nocturnal and very good at finding secluded spots to nest and sleep, which can make them difficult to control.
Fortunately, opossums are much easier to control than raccoon, in large part because they are not nearly as smart as those wily bandits. In addition, opossums are very vulnerable animals as they are relatively low on the food chain; they possess few natural defences and have a lot of enemies in the wild. This means that least toxic control of opossum pests is a fairly easy proposition. Here are some very effective measures employed by people all over the country
- Dogs. Unlike raccoons, possums live in mortal fear of dogs. There is no way that an opossum can emerge victorious in a struggle with medium sized dog, so having one around is a good way to chase off any possums that may come snooping around. The bark is often enough to send the possum scuttling off to look for food elsewhere.
- Sprays. Another way to keep opossums away is to use a spray which simulates the scent of their predators. Again, large canid smells will often be effective, so look for a spray that emulates the smell of a fox or coyote. Of course, this is a control measure that has to be applied with some frequency in order to be effective.
- Traps. Raccoons are very difficult to trap, and even when you do manage to catch one they may find a way to get themselves out, often aided by family members. Not so with opossums! Once they are caught they stay caught, and if you manage to catch a female you will likely be able to do away with half a dozen or more potential pests all at the same time (marsupials, the opossum carries her young with her until they are quite large). In addition, possums are not nearly as cautious as raccoons, and will wander into any trap that has a desirable bait.
- Shooting. Many people shoot possums to keep the numbers down, although as always this is best left to professionals in the pest control management business. Some areas will have restrictions when it comes to shooting problem animals, and discharging firearms within an urban setting in particular can be very risky.
- Sticky spray. Like raccoons, possums can be fastidious, so applying a spray which will stick to the feet of the possum will often get it to stay away from the area. This is particularly effective around the base of bird feeders or trees in which the possums seek shelter.
As far as medium sized pests are concerned, opossums are one of the easier to deal with. They don’t have the evolutionary gifts so evident in raccoons, and that means that they are much easier to scare, trap, and control in general. Still, the numbers of possums around indicates that even these measures will never really prevent the adaptable animals from being a pest in some areas.
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