Opossum Removal and Control
A familiar sight on Pennsylvania’s roads, the opossum is one of the world’s oldest living mammals. They are prolific, with litters of up to 15 occurring 2-3 times per year. That means there are a lot of opossums looking for a place to live! Translate that to under porches, decks, sheds and under crawlspaces and even attics and abandoned buildings. Being omnivores they are scavengers that eat anything, but prefer meat, which is why we often see them killed on roads while scavenging for roadkill.
About Opossums
About OpossumsOpossums are nocturnal omnivores, eating virtually anything worms, small rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, grubs, carrion, berries, roots, fruits, garbage and pet food. Their long, white pointed snouts, long grey fur and scaly rat-like tail make them easily identifiable.
Being a marsupial, the females have pouches in which to raise their young – like kangaroos. The gestation period is only about 2 weeks, and the blind, hairless young crawl to the pouch to cling to teat for 2 to 4 months until they are mature enough to leave the pouch. They tend to remain locally – as long as food and water are available – becoming a growing nuisance once they have invaded your habitat.
The term “playing possum” is well known and is actually a catatonic state the opossum involuntarily enters when threatened. It includes bared teeth, saliva around the mouth, closed or half-closed eyes and a foul odor emitted from the anal glands denoting a sick or dead animal. It can last up to 4 hours, during which the animal can be prodded, rolled or moved without any reaction. It is important to stay away from them in this state since they can revive unexpectedly.
Opossum Diseases
Opossums are carriers of fleas, ticks and parasites. They can also carry rabies, but less frequently found than in other animals.
Professional Removal and Control of Opossums
Opossums should always be removed from the premises by trapping. Please call Harrisburg area Nuisance Wildlife to safely remove opossums to prevent your home and outdoor environment from being overrun, garbage cans raided and pet food stolen.
Your property should then be “opossum-proofed” to keep them away by:
- Sealing all areas under decks, porches and sheds, and other dark isolated areas where they could potentially burrow and makes their home
- Treat lawns and gardens for grubs and small rodents
- Do not feed pets outside, or leave food or garbage in the open
- Do not put food into exposed compost piles
- Seal access to garage — especially if your store pet food there
Service Areas
We offer opossum removal in Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Duncannon, Enola, Dillsburg, Carlisle, Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg, Hershey, Marysville, Hummelstown, Steelton, Middletown, Highspire, Halifax, Dauphin and other areas within a 25 mile radius of the Harrisburg area.
We provide opossum removal in Dauphin County which includes Lower Paxton Township, Middle Paxton Township, Susquehanna Township, Derry Township, Swatara Township, Lower Swatara Township, East Hanover Township, West Hanover Township, South Hanover Township, and Londonderry Township.
We provide opossum removal in Cumberland County which includes East Pennsboro Township, Hampden Township, Lower Allen Township, Upper Allen Township, Middlesex Township, Silver Spring Township.
We provide opossum removal in Perry County which includes Rye Township, Penn Township.
We provide opossum removal in York County which includes Carrol Township, Newberry Township, Fairview Township, Monaghan Township.