Opossums are nuisance animals that can be found in many areas of the country. They’re also known to carry rabies, which is why they need to be removed from your property as soon as possible. These animals are nocturnal so you’ll likely only see one if it’s in the daytime or if it has been cornered by a dog or cat. You might not even know you have an opossum problem until you start noticing droppings around your property or garden.
AAAC Wildlife Removal of Cincinnati is here to help. We are experts in removing wildlife quickly and safely. Our team will work diligently to make sure your home is opossum-free again. Contact us today for a consultation!
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Opossums in the Kitchen
Opossums aren’t just a nuisance outside the home – they can also be a problem inside. These animals are known to enter homes through pet doors, crawl spaces, and vents. Once inside, they will eat up anything they can find, including food in the pantry, pet food, and even paper products. They are omnivorous and will not hesitate to eat insects, as well.
However, you won’t have to worry about them chewing up your wiring or structure – opossums are marsupials.
Opossum Diseases
Opossums can also pose a risk to your family’s health. These animals are known carriers of the rabies virus, as well as other diseases like leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis. Despite their aggressive drooling, it is not always easy to tell if an opossum is infected with rabies. They can also spread illnesses to people and other animals via fleas.
How to Get Rid of Opossum
Opossums not only pose a risk to your safety and health, but they can also be damaging to your property. These animals are known to dig through trash cans, eat garden fruits and vegetables, and use gardens as their personal toilet. You don’t want these critters taking over your home or yard, so what can you do?
Secure Access Points
Open holes can be an easy entry point for opossums, as well as other nuisance wildlife like raccoons, skunks, and squirrels. You can secure your home by closing up any openings that are larger than 1.5 inches. Make sure to close off any crawl spaces under the house and cover chimneys with a cap. Opossums are also expert climbers, so you’ll also need to trim tree branches that hang over the roof or near the attic.
Install a Fence
If you have a garden, an opossum might see it as a free all-you-can-eat buffet. You can keep them out by installing a fence at least six feet high with no opening wider than four inches. The fence should be buried a few inches into the ground to prevent digging and have wire mesh at the top.
You can add electricity to the fencing to really keep the opossums out. However, this could also harm your pet if they try to go into the garden.
Remove Food and Water Sources
Making sure that there is no food or water for the opossums to eat or drink will help to discourage them from staying in the area. Keep your trash cans closed and don’t leave pet food outside overnight. If you have a birdfeeder, make sure to take it down at night. Also, clean up any spilled birdseed and fruit from under trees.
Use Repellents
There are a few different types of opossum repellents on the market, such as pepper sprays, ammonia-soaked rags, and electronic deterrents. Some people swear by ammonia-soaked rags, but you have to be careful using it around pets and children. You can also try spraying the repellent around the outside of your home and garden.
Install a nesting box
You can also try to attract the opossums to an area where you don’t mind them living by installing a nesting box. This can be a wooden box or even an old tire. The box should be about 18 inches high, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. It should be placed in an area that is shaded and has a water source to encourage the opossums to move in.
Call a Professional
Dealing with opossums can be difficult and dangerous. If you’re not comfortable with removing the animal yourself, you can call a professional opossum removal service. They will have the experience and equipment to remove the animal safely and without causing any harm to it.
Possum Removal Near Me
Opossum trapping and removal need to be done by those knowledgeable of the habits of these wild animals. If you are not familiar with opossums, you could actually do more harm than good by trying to remove them from your property on your own.
Our wildlife experts at Cincinnati Wildlife Removal are fully licensed and insured that can handle all your critter control needs. We will take the necessary precautions to make sure your family and property are safe during the removal process of wildlife problems.
Dead Animal Removal
Having a dead animal on your property can be just as dangerous as having a live one. Not only is it a health hazard, but it can also attract other pests and animals. In addition, there are times when the animals die in an inaccessible place, such as in an attic or chimney.
Our team of professionals at Cincinnati wildlife control can remove the dead animal wherever it is, and decontaminate the area to prevent any diseases from spreading. We will also deodorize the affected area to eliminate any unpleasant smells.
Opossum Removal, Cleanup, Repair and Exclusion
Our wildlife experts will also clean up the messes these wild animals have made. Conduct attic cleanup, remove and replace insulation if necessary, and seal up any entrance points the animals were using to get into your home. This will not only help to keep the opossums from returning but also other pests as well.
We’ll also repair any interior and exterior damage caused by the animals and make sure your home is back to its former condition.
Other Wildlife Removal Services
Aside from opossum removal, we also do Cincinnati raccoon removal, Cincinnati Squirrel Removal, bat removal, and squirrels, rats, birds. If you have any wildlife problems, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We offer these services in Hamilton County, Warren County, Butler County, Clermont County, Brown County, and Dearborn County.
In addition to our residential animal removal services, we also offer commercial animal removal services, exclusion services to prevent these animals from returning in the future. We can install wildlife-proofing measures like chimney caps, attic vents, and door sweeps that will keep opossums, as well as other nuisance animals, out of your home for good.
Contact AAAC Wildlife Removal Services today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Possum Removal
Is it illegal to trap opossum in Ohio?
In Ohio, you need a commercial nuisance wild animal control operator’s license to trap opossums. You can apply for the license through the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Can you relocate a possum in Ohio?
Possums that are sick or causing a problem can be trapped and removed without the need for a permit, but they cannot be relocated. This is to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. Trapped possums can either be released on the same property or euthanized.
What kind of possums are in Ohio?
The most common opossum in Ohio is the Virginia opossum. This species is the only marsupial found in North America. Opossums are omnivorous, and eat a variety of things, including insects, fruits, vegetables, and small animals.
