Opossums, more commonly referred to as possums, are unique animals. They are the only marsupial in North America, where they can be found throughout many environments such as forests and urban areas. Their famous method of defense—playing dead—helps protect them from predators. Opossums are nocturnal and omnivorous, and though they are helpful in that they keep the tick population down, they are still hazardous to have on your property.
Opossum Control in Ann Arbor
- Opossums eat insects, small rodents, amphibians, fruits, berries, garbage, and even untended pet food.
- The critters can grow to be around a foot and a half long (up to 3 feet including their tails) and can weigh up to 12 lbs.
- Like raccoons, opossums have small hands that function similar to human hands. With five fingers each, they are easily able to climb and grasp objects.
Where Do Opossums Live?
- The marsupials prefer wooded areas near sources of water like streams, wetlands, swamps and thickets, and they can also thrive in more urban settings.
Are Opossums Dangerous?
- Opossums can indeed find their way into your Ann Arbor home, though it is almost certainly by accident.
- Opossums can get into pet doors while looking for shelter and food.
- More commonly, though, they will live and spend the majority of their time under porches, sheds, decks and brush piles.
- When searching for food, they target garbage cans, gardens, pet foods and compost piles.
Do Opossums Cause Damage?
As is the case with most wild animals, opossums become aggressive when they are cornered.
- They will bite, scratch, bare their teeth, and hiss in order to escape.
- Pets and people alike may be harmed in the presence of aggressive opossums and are then susceptible to the diseases they carry, such as tuberculosis, tularemia and Chagas disease.
- Additionally, the marsupials can be infested with parasites such as fleas, ticks, mites and lice.
Opossum Control
In order to keep opossums out of yards and homes, habitat modification efforts can be employed:
- Remove overgrown shrubs and grasses to limit hiding places.
- Bring pet food in from the outdoors and secure trash can lids to limit food sources.
- Finally, building fences around gardens can restrict the pest's access to easy meals.
Trapping and Removal
As opossums carry various diseases and have sharp teeth and claws, individuals should never try to trap the animal without professional assistance. Critter Control of Ann Arbor wildlife removal specialists have the proper training, knowledge, and tools to capture and remove pest opossums from homes and businesses. Contacting trained professionals keeps families and pets safe and disease-free.
Get rid of opossums—call Critter Control of Ann Arbor today!
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