Gardeners often face annoying disturbances such as the existence of possum. Hence, this article would guide you on how to get rid of possums in safe ways.
Contents
The Characteristics
Indeed, this article will provide a complete guide on how to get rid of possums. But before discussing further, it is a good idea to know who your enemy is, that you can take the right action.
Possums are mammals belonging to the Didelphidae family. Its size is only as big as a cat, and many live in the Americas, especially in the United States.
This animal is nocturnal or accustomed to activities at night.
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Possum Playing Dead
One of the unique traits of possums is their ability to play dead. When this happens, it will remain motionless with its mouth and eyes open.
Their tongue sticking out would make anyone believe they are not alive.
This behavior is not intentional. When feeling shocked and scared to death, the possum will fall unconscious in that position.
In addition, this animal will discharge a foul-smelling green discharge from the anus. On average, it will wake up after 30 minutes to 6 hours later.
Its slowed breathing will make predators think this mammal is not alive and decide to leave them. As is known, most animals are not interested in preying on carrion.
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Marsupials-type
Possums are marsupial mammals that use their body parts to carry and take care of their young.
The mother gives birth to up to 30 cubs the size of a honeybee, which immediately competes for the pouch.
The pouch has 13 nipples for the babies. But only the fastest to arrive will generally survive.
They will be there for 2-2.5 months before finally being able to walk out and climb onto their mother’s back. Possum chicks will usually be free from their mothers after 4-5 months of age.
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Way of life
These animals, also known as possums, are omnivores that eat fruits, seeds, insects, and carrion. But one of their favorite foods is persimmon.
Because they are nocturnal animals, possums are rarely appeared during the day except when it is difficult to get food.
While looking for some foods, they usually hang by the tail as their hands grab the food.
Regarding housing, these animals never build their nests. Possums prefer to inhabit the nests of other animals that are not used or live in rock cavities or trees and woodpiles.
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Immune to Snake Poison
There is one type of possum that is resistant to venom, namely the Virginia species. Although snakes are one of the main predators of this animal, they will not die just from being bitten.
Its body has an antidote to the poison that prevents them from poisoning. For this type of possum, snakes are a very nutritious snack for their young.
Dealing with Possum Problem
The possum’s appearance is adorable and does not look dangerous. However, its existence can be a big problem for gardeners or anyone with livestock.
When you leave the gardens and cattle unattended at night, possums will come to forage for food. They will eat anything until your beautiful plants are messy.
In addition, they also cause damage by trampling plants. Not to mention, small animals like chicks are their favorite prey.
The problem is, these animals also reproduce very quickly. Therefore, if you do not deal with them soon, they will become very troublesome pests.
How to Get Rid of Opossum
Catching possums is not difficult because they are very easily attracted to bait such as food, piles of goods, lush grass, and many more. But the problem is how to treat them after being arrested.
Generally, the government imposes a ban on killing these animals, although this may vary from region to region.
However, instead of capturing or killing, most people prefer to chase him away. This is how to get rid of possums:
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Using Repellent
The easy answer to how to get rid of possums is to use a repellent that works instantly without hurting the animal.
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How to Get Rid of Possums by Chemicals
Chemical repellents generally use the urine of predatory possums, such as fox, wolf, and others as the ingredients. Some products provide a mixture of others, but there is also the pure one.
It is one of the best ways of how to get rid of possums from your area effectively. No need to be on guard anymore at night to catch those little creatures.
This product is also divided into several forms, ranging from easy-to-use and non-toxic granules such as Shake-Away. This method is quite effective, but it may create a dusty impression.
You can also use a spray-type repellent like Red Fox Urine. This product does not contain any chemicals other than urine, and you can use it on areas where the possum might enter.
However, the use of these materials may also bring some disadvantages. Generally, these materials have a pungent and disturbing odor. Thereupon, remember to wear gloves while using them.
In addition, most chemical repellents are also not waterproof. During the rainy season, it is difficult to make the granules or spray last long; the flow of water will remove them quickly.
If you are facing both problems, try using Havahart Critter Ridder 3146 Animal Repellent. This product has a water-resistant texture.
In addition, there is a mixture of other chemicals that disguise the smell.
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How to Get Rid of Possums by Electronic Repellents
If you do not want to be disturbed by the smell of animal urine that makes the atmosphere uncomfortable, you can use a more practical method.
There are several electronic-based products that you might choose.
Predator GuardSolar Powered Predator Deterrent Light is one answer on how to get rid of possums. This tool emits a light that will frighten nocturnal animals from coyotes, wolves, and even bears.
Meanwhile, Hoont Solar Powered Motion Activated Ultrasonic not only emits light, but also ultrasound that you can set in three modes.
Not only possum, but this tool is also effective against other nocturnal animals.
There is an Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler, a device that can release water and scare away any animal that approaches. It detects the presence of animals by infrared light.
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Don’t Draw Their Attention
If you suddenly find the signs of possum in backyard, then there may be a lot of items that catch its eyes. As we discussed above, this mammal likes dense trees, bushes, dirty yards, and others.
Therefore, the best way of how to get rid of possums is to make your place of residence unattractive to them.
Remove trash, fallen fruit, dry leaves, and bushes from the yard. Trees that are too dense can also be their nests.
In addition, possums also like suggestions of other animals or piles of items that may be in your yard. Just keep your residence clean to make it possum-free.
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Making a Trap
We discussed above that trapping is not the best way of how to get rid of possums. But if you have to do it, you should do it carefully to avoid unlawful actions.
Instead of purchasing them at the store, you can make your traps. Make a box with a size of approximately 25 x 31 x 81 cm, and put fruit or whatever catches their attention.
Design it so that the box can close as the possum passes through it. Thus, the creatures cannot get out of it. Then, prepare for taking the next action.
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Installing the Fence
If you do not want to risk the arrival of uninvited guests, the only way is to put up a fence.
You can build a wall or barrier with a height of approximately 4 feet (1 meter) and an additional 31 cm of the top.
To be more secure, you can also add electric fencing at the top. Thus, anything that passes over it will get electrocuted.
However, it is not the best answer to how to get rid of possums. You should be careful with children or other people who may approach the fence.
If you do not want to provide electric fencing, then the way to do it is to clean the area around the fence. Make possums uninterested in approaching your garden with a clean and debris-free view.
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Protect Your Belongings
Okay, you may not want to do anything to trap, repel, or kill as your ‘how to get rid of possums’ method. Thus, the easy way is to protect your crops and livestock.
If putting up a fence is too much for you, protect your plants. You should also place the cattle in the shed and lock it securely. Do not leave an opening for possums and other animals to enter.
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Calling Officer
If you do not know what to do and where to buy repellent, there is a handy solution. How to get rid of possums? You can call an animal control officer to solve your problem.
It can be an alternative for areas with strict animal protection regulations. Instead of dealing with the police because you accidentally killed, calling the expert is the right move.
Conclusion
Those are some tips on how to get rid of possums from your garden. Choose which one is the most suitable. Happy hunting!