There’s nothing more frustrating and puzzling than leaving your yard pristine at night, only to find holes the next day. These mysterious holes could be in your yard, outside your garage, under your deck or around your fence. If you’re wondering what creature is causing this havoc, opossums might be to blame.
With their white faces, pink noses and beady eyes, these animals might look innocent. However, they have capable paws that can do some damage. If you suspect opossums are the culprit behind the unsightly holes around your home, contact the experts. Wildlife control specialists will confirm the presence of opossums on your property and take the necessary measures to deter them. These pros also help you with other problems, like how to get rid of mice in your garden.
Do Opossums Dig Holes? Here’s What You Should Know About These Marsupials
Do opossums dig holes? Are they responsible for the mess on your property? They might and might not be. Let us explain.
Opossums love trees, often swinging between branches using their deft hands and tails. But when they are not up high in trees, they usually sleep in a den or hole. While they sometimes dig their own holes, they much prefer to take over the residences of other animals like raccoons, skunks and woodchucks.
Opossums might not be the culprit behind the large holes on your property, although they do benefit from them. However, that doesn’t mean they’re blameless. These marsupials dig smaller holes in search of insects to munch on, and they can be just as much of an eye-sore.
If you spot holes on your property, whether made by opossums or other creatures, contact a wildlife control specialist. These holes can attract other animals, including snakes and mice, and pose health and safety risks to your family and property. Experts can identify the occupants of these holes and provide the best solution to deter or control them.
What Does an Opossum Den Look Like?
Opossums live by the motto “work smarter, not harder” and will use existing burrows made by other animals as shelter instead of digging their own. These holes can be up to four feet deep. They also set up their dens or nests in dark, dry and safe spots like hollow stumps and wood piles.
You might also find their dens in your crawl spaces, garage, shed, attic or underneath your decks. Opossums are lucky not to have many natural predators. They are also impressive hunters and have an abundance of food and shelter. Because of these factors, they are accustomed to living around humans.
Opossums don’t do too well in the cold, so dens are essential to their survival during the winter. They make their dens cozy by lining them with twigs, dry leaves or grass.
Possums are nomadic and don’t usually sleep in the same den for too long. They have several dens they use alternately. However, opossum mothers will stay with their babies in the same den for several weeks.
If you want to keep these marsupials away, here are some things you can do to make your space uninviting to them.
Clean Your Bird Feeders
If you love feeding the birds in your area, clean your bird feeders and the surrounding area regularly. If opossums keep wandering into your property, you might have to remove your bird feeders temporarily.
Clean Up After Your Pets
If you feed your furry loved ones outside, clean up after them immediately after eating. In addition, store their food inside your home.
Secure Garbage Bins and Compost Piles
Opossums will find your property more attractive if they can easily access your garbage bins and compost piles. Keep them away by placing tight lids on your garbage cans and putting your garbage outside on the day of collection instead of the night before.
Eliminate Entryways to Your Home
Opossums love to den in dry, safe and dark places, making your chimneys, attic, shed and garage perfect for them. If you don’t want to find these critters inside your home, eliminate all possible entryways. That includes closing your chimney and chopping off overhanging branches around your house because opossums are excellent climbers.
Install Sprinklers and Motion Lights
Opossums are sneaky creatures that navigate yards secretly at night. They like to feel safe and hidden while they’re roaming around. Installing motion lights may startle them and prevent them from staying and creating dens on your property.
Call in the Pros
If opossums have already made themselves comfortable on your property and have set up a den, it’s time to call in wildlife control specialists.
Do Opossums Sleep in the Same Place Every Night?
Opossums are nomadic creatures, meaning you won’t catch them sleeping in the same place for consecutive days. They have several active dens, constantly switching between them to avoid predators. That makes it hard for homeowners to catch them. The only time an opossum stays in the same den for several weeks is when she has young ones to care for.
Here are some other opossum tidbits if you want to familiarize yourself with these sneaky marsupials.
Diet
Opossums are omnivores and will devour just about anything. These include insects, slugs, fruits, nuts and grains. They will even feed on frogs, mice and birds. They forage all year round because they don’t have much body fat and don’t stow away food. Thanks to their sensitive noses and excellent memory, they can easily find food and remember where they got it.
Behavior
Opossums are solitary creatures, hardly mingling with each other except during breeding season that falls between January and July. While they lack social skills, they are impressive swimmers and climbers. However, their most fascinating behavioral trait is their act of “playing possum.” When in danger, they will go into a fainting spell, which can last from one minute to six hours. That makes their predators lose interest. It’s an involuntary response that opossums have no control over.
Breeding
As marsupials, female opossums give birth to embryonic babies. Their young crawl into their pouch and stay firmly until they’re 50 days old. At the 80 to 90 day mark, the pouch gets too crowded, forcing the joeys to go outside and hitch a ride on their mother’s back. When the babies are around three and a half months old, they start to separate from their mother and go on their own adventures.
If opossums are nesting and breeding on your property, don’t hesitate to call in an expert. A wildlife control specialist has the tools and expertise to manage opossums on your property.
Leave Your Wildlife Problems to the Pros
Are possums out during the day? You might be troubled with questions if you’re dealing with opossums or other creatures. You can leave all your wildlife-related issues and concerns to the pros. Wildlife control specialists know which methods are most effective against different creatures and will restore the peace on your property.
ABC Can Remove Unwelcome Visitors From Your Property
Most homeowners don’t want opossums living on their property. For effective wildlife removal, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our professionals are highly trained and will be able to trap and remove any unwanted creatures on your property. We can also provide you with ongoing pest control to reduce the chances of any future pest problems.
