Possums, also known as opossums, are common nocturnal marsupials found in many backyards. While they can be beneficial by eating insects and dead animals, they can also become a nuisance, raiding garbage cans, gardens, and even potentially threatening your pets. This is especially concerning for cat owners. How do you humanely deter these unwanted guests without putting your feline friends at risk? This article provides a comprehensive guide to safely and effectively removing possums while ensuring your cats remain safe and sound.
Understanding the Possum and Its Behavior
Before taking any action, it’s crucial to understand the behavior and habits of possums. Possums are primarily nocturnal and are often attracted to areas with readily available food sources. This includes unsecured garbage cans, pet food left outdoors, fallen fruit from trees, and accessible compost piles. They are generally not aggressive animals and prefer to avoid confrontation, often playing “possum” (feigning death) when threatened.
Knowing their behavior patterns will help you identify why they are visiting your property and implement the right strategies to discourage them. Consider that they are also part of the ecosystem and play a role in pest control. So, humane methods of removal are always preferred.
Why Possums Visit Your Property
The primary reason possums visit residential areas is the availability of food. They are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of any easy meal. Other factors include access to shelter, such as under decks, sheds, or in hollow trees, and the presence of a water source.
Understanding these attractants allows you to modify your property to make it less appealing to possums. Remember, prevention is often the most effective solution.
Potential Dangers to Your Cats
While possums are generally not aggressive towards cats, confrontations can occur, especially if a possum feels threatened or cornered. Possums can carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and coccidiosis, which could potentially be transmitted to your cat through a bite or scratch. While rare, possums can also host fleas and ticks that can infest your pets.
Furthermore, competition for food can lead to conflict between cats and possums. A cat trying to protect its food bowl might engage with a possum, leading to potential injuries for both animals.
Safe and Humane Possum Deterrent Strategies
The key to getting rid of possums while protecting your cats lies in implementing humane and preventive measures. Focusing on removing attractants and creating a less welcoming environment is the most effective long-term solution.
Securing Food Sources
This is the first and most important step. Possums are primarily attracted by food, so removing their food source will significantly reduce their interest in your property.
- Secure Garbage Cans: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and consider securing them with bungee cords or placing them in a shed or garage.
- Remove Pet Food: Never leave pet food outdoors, especially overnight. Feed your cats indoors or pick up any leftover food immediately after they have finished eating.
- Clean Up Fallen Fruit: Regularly collect any fallen fruit from trees in your yard.
- Secure Compost Piles: Use a compost bin with a secure lid or consider using a closed composting system.
Eliminating Shelter Opportunities
Possums seek shelter in dark, secluded areas. By removing potential hiding spots, you make your property less appealing.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your deck, shed, and any other outbuildings for potential entry points. Seal these with sturdy wire mesh or wood.
- Trim Shrubs and Bushes: Trim overgrown shrubs and bushes to reduce hiding places.
- Clear Debris: Remove piles of wood, leaves, and other debris from your yard.
Using Possum Deterrents
Several humane deterrents can help discourage possums from visiting your property.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These can startle possums and discourage them from entering your yard. Place them in areas where you have seen possum activity.
- Motion-Activated Lights: Similar to sprinklers, motion-activated lights can startle possums and make them feel less secure.
- Repellent Scents: Possums have a strong sense of smell. Strong scents like ammonia or mothballs (use caution around pets) can deter them. Soak rags in ammonia and place them near areas where possums frequent. However, be mindful of potential hazards to your cats and use these methods with extreme caution. Consider natural alternatives like citrus peels scattered around the yard.
Protecting Your Cats
While deterring possums, it’s crucial to ensure your cats’ safety.
- Keep Cats Indoors at Night: Since possums are nocturnal, keeping your cats indoors at night will minimize the risk of encounters.
- Supervise Outdoor Time: If you allow your cats outside, supervise them, especially during dawn and dusk when possums are most active.
- Vaccinations: Ensure your cats are up-to-date on their vaccinations to protect them against diseases.
- Flea and Tick Prevention: Use a flea and tick preventative to protect your cats from parasites that possums might carry.
What to Do If a Possum is Trapped
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a possum might get trapped in your garage, shed, or under your deck. It is important to react calmly and avoid direct contact.
Assessing the Situation
Before attempting to remove the possum, assess the situation. Is it injured? Is it near your cats? Knowing these factors will help you determine the best course of action.
Keep your cats away from the area where the possum is trapped to prevent any potential confrontations.
Humane Removal Options
- Open a Door: If the possum is trapped in a building, open a door or window and allow it to leave on its own. Turn off the lights inside to encourage it to move towards the exit. Give it plenty of time and space.
- Professional Wildlife Removal: If you are uncomfortable removing the possum yourself or if it is injured, contact a professional wildlife removal service. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely remove the animal.
- Live Trapping (as a last resort): If other methods fail, live trapping can be considered. However, it’s crucial to research local regulations regarding trapping and relocation of wildlife. The trap should be large enough to comfortably accommodate the possum and baited with fruit or vegetables. Regularly check the trap and relocate the possum to a suitable habitat at least 5 miles away from your property, if permitted by law. Remember, some areas prohibit the relocation of trapped wildlife.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Getting rid of possums is often an ongoing process. Implementing long-term prevention strategies is key to keeping them away for good.
Regular Property Maintenance
Regularly inspect your property for potential entry points and food sources. Repair any damage to your deck, shed, or other outbuildings. Keep your yard clean and free of debris.
Community Involvement
Encourage your neighbors to take similar precautions. If everyone in your neighborhood is working to remove attractants, it will be more effective in deterring possums from the area.
Consider Professional Pest Control
If you are struggling to control possums on your property, consider consulting with a professional pest control company specializing in humane wildlife removal. They can assess your property, identify attractants, and implement effective deterrent strategies.
Additional Tips for Cat Owners
As a cat owner, there are specific considerations when dealing with possums.
Observe Your Cat’s Behavior
Pay attention to your cat’s behavior. If you notice your cat acting strangely or showing signs of aggression near certain areas of your yard, it could indicate the presence of a possum.
Provide Safe Outdoor Spaces for Your Cat
Consider creating a safe outdoor space for your cat, such as a catio or a fenced-in area. This will allow your cat to enjoy the outdoors without being exposed to possums or other wildlife.
Be Mindful of Cat Food
Never leave cat food outside overnight. Store it in a secure container and only provide your cat with food during designated meal times.
When to Seek Professional Help
While many possum problems can be resolved with DIY methods, there are times when it’s best to seek professional help.
Injured or Sick Possums
If you encounter a possum that appears injured or sick, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or animal control agency.
Persistent Infestations
If you have tried various deterrent methods and are still experiencing a possum problem, it’s time to call in a professional.
Concerns About Disease
If you are concerned that your cat may have been exposed to a disease carried by a possum, consult with your veterinarian immediately.
Conclusion: Coexisting Safely
Dealing with possums while owning cats requires a proactive and humane approach. By understanding possum behavior, removing attractants, and protecting your cats, you can create a safe and harmonious environment for both. Remember, prevention is key, and consistency is essential. With a little effort, you can deter these unwanted visitors and ensure the well-being of your feline companions. Always prioritize humane methods and consult with professionals when needed to ensure the safety of both the possums and your pets. A little patience and diligence can lead to a peaceful coexistence. Protect your pets by taking preventative measures, securing your property, and monitoring your surroundings. Remember that possums are part of the ecosystem and humane determent should always be the first option.
How can I tell if the animal I’m dealing with is truly a possum and not another similar-looking creature?
A possum, or opossum, is easily identified by its distinctive features. They have a pointed snout, small, beady eyes, and a prehensile tail that they use for grasping branches. Furthermore, they often display a characteristic “playing possum” behavior, feigning death when threatened. You might also notice their tracks, which have five toes on both the front and hind feet, with the hind foot having an opposable thumb.
Other animals, like rats or raccoons, might be mistaken for possums, especially in low-light conditions. Rats are much smaller and lack a prehensile tail, while raccoons have a bushy, ringed tail and a masked face. Paying close attention to these distinct characteristics will help you accurately identify the animal and choose the most appropriate humane removal methods.
Are there any humane traps that are safe for both possums and cats?
Yes, there are humane traps designed for catching animals like possums, and with careful selection and placement, you can minimize the risk of trapping your cat. Look for traps that are large enough for a possum but not overly so, preventing a cat from entering too easily. Consider models with features like smaller mesh sizes or trip plates that require a certain amount of weight to trigger, potentially discouraging lighter animals.
Strategic placement of the trap is crucial. Avoid placing it in areas where your cat frequently roams or hunts. Instead, position it near suspected possum entry points or areas where you’ve observed possum activity, like near trash cans or garden beds. Regularly check the trap to ensure that if your cat does get caught, you can release it promptly without harm.
What are some natural deterrents I can use to keep possums away without harming my cats?
Possums are often attracted to properties by readily available food sources. One effective deterrent is to eliminate these attractants. Secure your trash cans with tight-fitting lids, clean up fallen fruit from your garden, and avoid leaving pet food outside. Removing the incentive for possums to visit your yard will naturally reduce their presence.
Certain scents are also known to deter possums. Consider using natural repellents like garlic, peppermint oil, or chili powder strategically placed around your garden or potential entry points. These scents are unpleasant to possums but generally harmless to cats, although you should still monitor your cat’s reaction to ensure they are not negatively affected. Rotate the scents you use to prevent the possums from becoming accustomed to them.
How can I prevent possums from accessing my cat’s food without also restricting my cat?
Raising your cat’s food bowl is an effective solution. Possums are primarily ground foragers and have difficulty reaching elevated food sources. Place the food bowl on a table or platform that is easily accessible to your cat but too high for a possum to reach.
Another option is to feed your cat indoors. This not only prevents possums from accessing the food but also protects your cat from potential confrontations with the wild animal. If your cat is an outdoor cat, establish a feeding schedule and bring the food inside promptly after your cat has finished eating. This ensures no food remains to attract unwanted visitors.
What steps should I take if my cat and a possum get into a confrontation?
Your primary goal is to separate the animals safely. Avoid getting directly involved with your hands, as both animals may be frightened and prone to biting or scratching. Instead, try making a loud noise, like banging pots and pans together, or spraying them with a garden hose. This will usually startle both animals and cause them to retreat.
After the confrontation, carefully examine your cat for any injuries. Even seemingly minor scratches or bites can become infected, so it’s essential to clean them thoroughly with antiseptic soap and water. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, consult your veterinarian immediately. It’s also a good idea to have your cat’s rabies vaccination up-to-date to protect against potential transmission.
Are there any plants that attract possums that I should avoid planting in my garden?
Possums are attracted to certain plants that offer food or shelter. Avoid planting fruit-bearing trees or shrubs, as the fallen fruit provides a readily available food source. Berry bushes and vegetable gardens are also attractive to possums.
Consider replacing these with less appealing plants, such as those with strong scents or prickly leaves. Native Australian plants can be a good choice, as they are less likely to attract possums compared to introduced species. Keep your garden tidy and remove any fallen leaves or debris that could provide hiding places for possums.
When is it necessary to call a professional wildlife removal service for possums?
If you’ve tried humane deterrents and trapping without success, or if you suspect a possum is living inside your home, it’s time to call a professional. Nesting possums can cause significant damage to your property and pose a health risk to your family and pets. Professionals have the experience and equipment to safely and humanely remove possums and prevent future infestations.
Furthermore, if you observe a possum behaving erratically, such as appearing disoriented or aggressive, it could be sick or injured. In these situations, it’s best to avoid approaching the animal and contact a wildlife removal service or your local animal control. They can assess the situation and provide appropriate care or removal services, ensuring the safety of both the animal and your community.