Opossums
are whitish to grayish animals about the size of a house cat. They have long,
pointed snouts and a rat-like tail that is about half its body length. Males
average 6-7 lbs. in weight, and females average 4 lbs.
Biology
Breeding
period: February-July
Gestation: 2 weeks- opossums are marsupials, meaning the young remain in a
maternal pouch for some time after birth. In the case of opossums, the young
remain in the mother’s pouch and nurse for about two months.
Birth
period: Mar-June, peak activity in
Apr-May
Litters
per year: 2
Litter
size: Up to 20 young, but fewer than
half may survive
Feeding
period: Mostly at night
Opossums
prefer carrion (the meat of dead animals) and insects. They will also take
vegetables, fruits, and grains. They are fond of raiding garbage cans and pet
food dishes.
Range
Inspection
Opossums are one of the less common nuisance
wildlife animals. They use
spaces under sheds, decks, porches and other outbuildings as den sites. Occasionally
they will climb and enter an attic. Customers
may request removal because they see them scavenging in the trash or an animal
has been digging in the dirt. They may
be worried about a pet coming into contact with an opossum.
Remember to use the information provided by the
customer as a starting point for inspection. This may come from direct
communication with the customer or the notes from client service detailed in
the work order/proposal.
On initial
inspection start by looking for burrows.
Most common areas for burrows are decks, sheds, porches, sunrooms or any
other structure that they can get under. They can also go under raised structures
such as decks without digging.
Opossums
very seldom create a burrow; they are far more likely to establish a den
under some kid of natural or man-made cover. It is also common for them to den
in the abandoned burrows of other animals.
Opossum tracks are very
recognizable, displaying an opposable “thumb” and there may be a trail drag
mark in some situations.
Opossum Tracks
Control
We
use live traps to capture opossums.
Baiting for opossums is easy.
They will eat any of the baits that are used for other wildlife.
Any
time excluding them from underneath structures is possible we will also provide
a proposal for exclusion service. Common exclusion includes buried wire.
Emergency animal removal can be an option if animal
is trapped in confined area such as a window well or with a sick or injured
animal.
Birdfeeders,
compost piles and pet food can all provide food sources to opossums. Advise customers
to keep compost piles contained and to remove birdseed and keep pet food indoors.
Pro Tips
It is commonly thought that opossums eat an
incredible
number
of ticks each year. Although it is true
that they will eat ticks, science has shown these reports
to be highly exaggerated.
Remember, they are very easy to trap as they will be
attracted to any type of bait used.
When young are
present they are typically caught along with the adult since they will be carried
into the trap on the female’s back.
