How To Get Rid Of Opossums

For home and business owners attempting to get rid of opossums on their own, a methodical and humane approach is essential. While opossums are generally harmless and even beneficial for controlling pests like insects and rodents, they can become a nuisance when they raid trash, damage property, or take shelter in attics, crawl spaces, or sheds. Here’s how to safely get rid of opossums:

Identify Attractants

Opossums are opportunistic scavengers. The first and most critical step is removing what’s drawing them in:

Secure trash bins: Use cans with tight-fitting lids and store them in a garage or shed if possible.
Eliminate pet food outdoors: Feed pets indoors or remove food and water bowls immediately after feeding.
Pick up fallen fruit: Remove ripe or decaying fruit from trees and the ground.
Reduce insect and rodent activity: These are secondary food sources for opossums.

Eliminate Shelter Opportunities

Opossums look for quiet, dark, and safe spaces to nest or sleep. To deter them:

Close off access to crawl spaces, attics, and sheds. Use hardware cloth, metal flashing, or mesh to seal openings larger than ½ inch.
Repair broken vents, screens, and foundation cracks.
Remove debris and clutter. Piles of wood, brush, or unused equipment provide ideal hiding spots.

Use Repellents and Deterrents

While repellents aren’t always 100% effective, they can discourage opossums from returning:

Commercial animal repellents: Choose those formulated for raccoons or opossums, containing natural deterrents like ammonia, predator urine, or garlic oil.
Homemade deterrents: Soak rags in ammonia or vinegar and place them near entry points. Replace every few days.
Motion-activated devices: Lights, sprinklers, or ultrasonic repellents can startle opossums and disrupt their nightly visits.

Live Trapping (If Legal in Your Area)

If opossums have taken up residence and won’t leave, live trapping may be necessary:

Use a medium-sized humane trap (around 32–36 inches long).
Bait the trap with foods they find irresistible, such as marshmallows, cat food, or overripe fruit.
Place the trap strategically: Near entry points or along travel paths.
Check traps frequently: Opossums are nocturnal, so check early morning to avoid distressing the animal.
Release safely: Relocate the opossum at least several miles away in a wooded or rural area, in accordance with local wildlife regulations.

(Note: Some states or municipalities prohibit trapping or relocating wildlife without a permit. Always verify local laws before trapping or relocating animals.)

Prevent Future Infestations

Once the opossum is gone, ensure it doesn’t return—or that others don’t take its place:

Seal entry points permanently.
Install motion-activated lighting around your property.
Maintain good sanitation and landscaping. Keep shrubs trimmed and garbage secure.

When to Seek Professional Help

If opossums are nesting inside your attic, walls, or under your building’s foundation, or if you notice multiple animals, our professional removal is highly recommended. Our experts can identify all entry points, remove these animals safely, and apply exclusion techniques that prevent re-entry.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Opossums

Hiring our professional pest control services is often the most effective, humane, and long-term solution for dealing with opossums. While DIY methods can provide temporary relief, our professionals have the expertise, equipment, and experience to address the root causes of the problem and ensure the animals don’t return. Here’s why our professional pest control is the best option for getting rid of opossums:

Safe and Humane Removal: Our professional wildlife control technicians are trained in humane trapping and relocation methods that comply with state and local wildlife regulations. Opossums can carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, and may bite or scratch if cornered. Our experts know how to handle them safely, minimizing risk to both humans and animals.
Accurate Inspection and Identification: Our pest control professionals don’t just remove visible opossums—we perform a comprehensive inspection to determine how these animals entered your property, whether multiple opossums or babies are present, and identify signs of damage, nesting, or contamination (such as droppings or urine). By identifying all access points and nesting areas, we can treat the infestation completely, not just the symptoms.
Permanent Exclusion and Prevention: After removal, the key to lasting protection is exclusion—physically blocking entry points and removing attractants. Our professionals use durable materials like galvanized steel mesh, metal flashing, and one-way exclusion doors to ensure opossums can leave but not return. We can also advise on property modifications, such as sealing crawl space vents or improving garbage storage, to prevent recurrence.
Comprehensive Sanitation and Damage Repair: Opossums nesting indoors can leave behind foul odors, fecal contamination, and insulation damage. We also provide cleanup and sanitization services to remove waste, neutralize odors, and restore affected areas. This step is critical for preventing secondary pest problems such as flies, fleas, or rodents attracted to the waste.
Legal and Environmental Compliance: Wildlife removal is regulated in many states, and relocating opossums without proper authorization may be illegal. Our licensed professionals understand local wildlife laws and humane handling protocols, ensuring all procedures are compliant and environmentally responsible.
Cost-Effective and Long-Term Results: While DIY trapping or repellents might seem cheaper initially, incomplete removal often leads to recurring infestations and property damage over time. Our professional pest control eliminates the problem efficiently and provides long-term solutions that save homeowners and businesses time, money, and frustration.
Peace of Mind: Perhaps the greatest benefit is peace of mind. Our professionals not only remove the current problem but also implement proactive measures to prevent future invasions. You’ll know your property is protected, sanitized, and secure—without having to handle potentially dangerous wildlife yourself.

Our professional pest control delivers safe, legal, and lasting results, combining expert removal with preventive strategies that keep opossums—and other nuisance wildlife—away for good.

Get Rid Of Opossums With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!