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Entry 423Filed under Breeding

How to Get Rid of Possums in Your Yard: 5 Humane Ways

Remove accessible food, protect gardens with suitable fencing, and block access to structures only after confirming they are empty. Trapping and relocation rules vary, so check local requirements or consult a qualified wildlife professional.
5-minute read By Animalso Team
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To get rid of “possums” in your yard humanely, remove easy food, protect gardens with sturdy fencing, and block access to sheltered spaces only after confirming the animal has left. For a healthy opossum just passing through, reducing attractants may be enough; trapping and relocation are not universal solutions and local rules vary.

In the United States, “possum” commonly refers to the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). If an animal is causing damage and you are not sure what it is, identify it before choosing a response; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources notes that a trail camera can help identify an animal causing damage.

First, decide whether the opossum needs removing

A yard visitor and an animal sheltering inside a structure call for different responses. A visitor may move on when food is no longer available, while an animal under a porch, in a shed, or inside another structure requires careful exclusion. Do not seal an opening until you have confirmed that the space is empty.

Focus first on what is attracting the animal and whether it has access to a garden or sheltered space. If the animal is injured or dependent young may be orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local wildlife professional.

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Five humane ways to reduce opossum visits

1. Remove easy food

Food is a practical place to start. Indiana and Michigan wildlife agencies recommend removing common food attractants:

  • Bring pet food and bird feeders indoors at night.
  • Secure garbage and make compost inaccessible.
  • Pick up fallen fruit.
  • Clean up spilled bird food and avoid leaving accessible food outdoors.

Removing attractants addresses why an animal visits, rather than trying to frighten it away temporarily.

2. Protect gardens with sturdy fencing

Sturdy fencing can help protect a garden from opossums and other wildlife. Michigan DNR recommends fencing openings of 3 inches or smaller. This is a practical specification, not a guarantee that every fence design will work for every yard.

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3. Block access to sheltered spaces—only when empty

Check sheds, garages, basements, attics, and the spaces beneath porches or decks for access points. Before sealing any opening, confirm that no animal is inside. Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife warns against sealing an animal into a structure.

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Wire mesh, sheet metal, or concrete are among the materials Ohio DNR lists for sealing foundation openings. Choose a secure barrier suited to the opening, and contact a qualified wildlife professional if you cannot establish whether the space is occupied or how to exclude the animal safely.

4. Reduce easy routes to roofs and buildings

Trim overhanging branches and block access points to structures where practical. Indiana DNR recommends these measures to reduce access. They can make a building less accessible, but they are not a guarantee of removing an animal that is already nearby or living in a structure.

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5. Use deterrents cautiously and get help when needed

Indiana DNR suggests that a talk radio near a porch or deck may discourage an opossum. Michigan DNR cautions that retail lights and chemical repellents may work only briefly. Do not count on a repellent or noise to resolve the underlying attractant or access problem.

If damage is occurring and the animal has not been identified, a trail camera may help determine what is causing it; it is an identification tool, not a deterrent. For a difficult removal, Indiana DNR advises homeowners that they can hire a Wildlife Control Operator. Contact a licensed rehabilitator if an animal is injured or dependent young may be orphaned, as Michigan DNR recommends.

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Choosing a response: visitor or structure conflict

Situation Practical first response
Opossum visiting the yard Remove pet food, bird food, fallen fruit, and other accessible food; secure garbage and compost.
Animal accessing a garden Consider sturdy fencing; Michigan DNR recommends openings of 3 inches or smaller.
Animal sheltering in a structure Confirm the space is empty before sealing openings; seek qualified help if you are unsure.
Animal causing unidentified damage Identify the animal before selecting an intervention; a trail camera may help.

Trapping and relocation are not default solutions

Do not assume that trapping and moving an opossum is humane, legal, or effective. Washington DFW says moving an opossum several miles may be illegal and may not resolve a conflict because another opossum may take its place. Michigan DNR says it does not authorize live capture and release except for permitted research. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so check current state and local requirements or consult a qualified local professional before trapping, transporting, or releasing an animal.

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Washington DFW describes a narrower approach for an animal trapped during exclusion: it may be released at the capture site once reentry is prevented. Its guidance also addresses allowing a female access to dependent young when they may be present. Because these situations require careful assessment and local rules apply, consult a qualified professional rather than treating this as a general do-it-yourself trapping recommendation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will an opossum leave if I remove food?

Removing accessible food can reduce the reason an opossum visits. Secure pet food, bird food, garbage, and compost, and pick up fallen fruit. If the animal is sheltering in a structure, confirm the space is empty before closing access.

How can I protect my garden from opossums?

Sturdy fencing can help protect gardens. Michigan DNR recommends fencing openings of 3 inches or smaller, though the recommendation is not a guarantee for every fence or site.

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Can I seal the hole under my porch?

Only after confirming that no animal is inside. Washington DFW warns against sealing an animal into a structure. If you cannot determine whether the space is occupied, contact a wildlife professional.

Do lights or chemical repellents keep opossums away?

They may have only brief effects. Michigan DNR says retail lights and chemical repellents may work only briefly, so focus on removing attractants and preventing access instead.

Can I trap and relocate an opossum?

Do not assume that trapping or relocation is legal or effective. Rules vary, and moving an animal may not resolve the original conflict. Check current local requirements or ask a qualified wildlife professional before taking action.

How do I know what animal is damaging my yard?

Identify the animal before choosing an intervention. Michigan DNR notes that a trail camera can help identify an animal causing damage; it is not a deterrent.

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The Bottom Line

Start by removing pet food, bird food, fallen fruit, and other accessible food, then secure garbage and compost. Use suitable fencing to protect gardens, and block access to structures only after confirming the space is empty. Use deterrents cautiously, and consult local wildlife professionals about difficult cases or any trapping and relocation questions.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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