An opossum infestation may also impact your siding, eaves, and gutter system. An opossum in the attic can be very dangerous, and it is advised to hire a professional to remove it safely. Possums are often considered pests because they will rummage through trash cans and steal food from pet bowls. Still, as theWashington Department of Fish and Wildlife attests, in urban areas, possums are beneficial as rodent and eaters of carrion (flesh of dead animal). Once an opossum learns that you have good food at your house, you can be certain that it will return on a daily basis to cause havoc on your yard and house. How do I get rid of possums? The following can be the reasons why a possum is chewing on your wires. hot sauce. Possums will chew on wires because they are seeking the salts that are found in the copper or the rubber casing of the cables. It is also very easy to install. Opossum meat was historically a favored food in the Deep South, and possum grease was used in traditional medicine as a chest rub for respiratory ailments. Possums are not the smartest animals and are not afraid of wires. Possums chew bark as a way to mark territory and they often use the same tree year after year. Use it for its fur or meat (again, if legal in your area). You can go with the traditional picket fence or a wire mesh fence, but whatever you decide, make sure that you bury the fence at least a foot underground and have it extend a few feet above ground to ensure that the animal does not burrow under or jump over the fence. While opossums were once native only to South America, they are now a common sight all throughout the Eastern and Southern states of the United States. That means the undeveloped young they give birth to just 12 days after breeding then crawl into their mother's pouch and attach to a teat,according to WDFW. However, you are still sorely mistaken. both are left feet). The following can be the reasons why a possum is chewing on your wires. Deadly Alabama shooting underscores grim link between guns, youths in America, High school football player among 4 killed in Alabama shooting. As expected, it helped control the insects and Professor Selwood noticed another benefit. Fortunately, they are not common carriers of diseases such as rabies. wood or wire netting, except for the entry point that the possum has been observed using. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you think possums are funny-looking, threatening pests that should be destroyed if they set so much as a paw on your property, you're probably in the majority. STEP 1: Remove possum attractants such as food and water and potential homes. phascogales, also make scratching, chewing and skittering noises. It has the optional motion activated setting youll want to use so it only goes on when needed. Opossums often will die inside your house creating a biohazard to you and your family. It can be used to repel a variety of pests, including possums and rabbits. Short horizontal bark biting on bark are most likely to be possum. Possums are nocturnal creatures and are very good climbers.Possums will often take up residence in trees, hollow logs, or abandoned burrows. Keeping your trees trimmed will keep raccoons from climbing and entering your home. You place them near the areas that you do not want them, like in your garden or near your porch that will activate every time they come in its reach. Another suggestion is to put towels into a coffee can with holes punched through it. If you have a dead opossum in your attic, you'll know by the strong smell of decay. The first is the thickness of each floor. Your email address will not be published. Take steps to identify the pests responsible and remove them from your lawn. One way to get rid of possums is to remove the attractants from your property. It was exhausting, she says. I looked above my head and there was a Powerful Owl looking at me, as though saying what are you doing?. Quite convenient really., First published on 30 August 2019 in Science Matters, Honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne. They are generally no bigger than your cat, with long gray fur and a scaly, hairless tail that looks like it might have been stolen from a small dinosaur . Picture: ShutterstockI noted what they did and didnt eat. Possums are nocturnal animals and they spend most of their time in trees.One thing that possums are known for is their ability to chew through wood. Their droppings can contain parasites that your pets might eat. We believe in the free flow of information. If necessary, homeowners can use a broom to coral possum outside. They are omnivores, which means they eat both vegetation and meat, and they aren't picky. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Im not very tall, so I probably spray to about two-and-a-half metres, and the possums just eat the top. You may also see possum droppings around the areas where theyre spending time.Another giveaway is damage to your homes structure, such as holes gnawed in soffits or chewed wires. Possums Leave Poo. Additionally, opossums eat vegetables, berries, nuts, fruit, garbage, pet food and bird. They don't dig their own opossum holes, so if you find holes in your lawn, the likely culprits are ground squirrels. This prevents the trees from being weakened and eventually dying. What killed my Black Jersey Giant Rooster? The University of Melbourne (University) collects, uses, handles and discloses personal information in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) (Act) and other applicable legislation. Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsingfever,tularemia, spotted fever,toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis,trichomoniasis, andChagas disease. keep away opossums. Opossums are particularly drawn to cat food. So what can you do about it? They may raid birds' nests to eat the eggs or devour crops on occasion. Release it back into the wild. If you think you might have a possum living in your house, there are a few things you can look for to be sure. Yes, walnut wood is expensive. Just finding your lawn dug up in the morning doesn't mean that your nocturnal visitor was a possum; raccoons and skunks are more likely . Yes, peppermint oil can be a powerful repellent against possums. One day, I was doing tests on a friends garden and the results were a shambles and I thought, whats going on? Is it dangerous if possums chew on wires? possums are known for chewing on your wires and wood. However, these nocturnal marsupials are actually beneficial to the environment. Then there are the long-suffering gardeners who go out on a beautiful summer morning to admire their rosebush, or to pick fresh lettuce for lunch, and find the rosebush stripped bare or the lettuce clipped to the ground. The vegetation was like that, all curling and flattened.. Its unique grain pattern is highly sought-after by furniture makers and other, Read More Is Walnut Wood ExpensiveContinue, Paint is a sealer that protects wood from water damage, rot, and pests. Im not very tall, so I probably spray to about two-and-a-half metres, and the possums just eat the top. . If you have possums chewing on your wood, youll need to take action to get rid of them. Though we currently don't provide removal services for opossum,contact our experienced exterminators in Seattlefor more helpful insights into pest behavior. One of the most distinct signs of an opossum infestation is the smell. Opossums have prehensile tails that they use like a hand or a fifth appendage. Also, opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Then, apply a dark-colored stain, Read More Can I Stain My Wood Floors DarkerContinue, Your email address will not be published. The excrement is about 3/4 of an inch thick and smooth on the sides with a taper at the ends. Wildlife Damage Management: Opossums Are Tearing up My Lawn, Presumably Looking for Grubs or Insects. What are the dangers humans face because of possums chewing wires? Although we cannot eliminate this relentless pest, we can use some tips and tricks to deter them from chewing on wires. These wet droppings can soak into insulation and building materials, causing a distinctly unpleasant odor. Professor Selwood has worked in the UK ,USA and Australia where she has done research on mammalian reproduction, focusing on marsupial developmental biology, captive breeding and fertility control of native marsupials. They are not only destructive but extremely dangerous when it comes to fires. It is an involuntary response (like fainting) rather than a conscious act. For gardeners there is now a solution that allows them to live in harmony with possums. We love to watch them scramble up a tree on a summers evening and admire their agility as they skitter across power lines. Also chewed the leg of an outdoor chair. However, if you already have opossums on your property or in your house, these methods will only prevent new ones from coming in. Planting Spirituality in Pollinator Gardens, Collaborative Partners Support Climate-Resilient Communities in South Carolina, One Communitys Journey to Certification in the Midst of a Pandemic, Wild Birds Unlimited Shares the Importance of Growing Native Plants, The name opossum is derived from an Algonquian word meaning white animal.. Thank you! This will likely be substantially more pleasant than working with predator urine products. It is one of the most efficient and economical possum control methods. Saturday: 8:30 am-4:00 pm Saturate the towels with. I tested it in my garden and in friends gardens. You can try animal proofing your garbage pails, but this may be hard to do. Recent research by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies found that opossums eat about 90 percent of the ticks that attack them, accounting for perhaps 5,000 ticks per possum per tick season. You may find an opossum in your home, especially if you have a "doggie door" for your pets. Opossums are curious little beasts and can't see very well. AAAnimal Control is a professional wildlife control company operating in over 500 USA locations. If trapping is legal in your area, then trap and relocate him or contact a qualified wildlife removal company. It's an impressive defensive mechanism, but its effectiveness can't be chalked up to the possum's acting skills. Email us at info@wildlifeanimalcontrol.com - Animal Education - Wildlife Control in Over 600 Locations, Dead Animal Control Education and Services, Click here to hire us in your town and check prices, Remove any of your pets leftovers from outside and bring them in overnight, Ensure your bird water containers are covered so that only birds can get to them, Remove trash piles and keep your trash cans covered and secured, Store firewood away from fences and buildings, Securely close any outside buildings, such as garages and wood shelters, Check for any repairs that your house needs and make them as quickly as possible, Deny access to spaces underneath porches, decks or sheds. In 2013, she was elected the first female president of the Royal Society of Victoria and in 2017 she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.She moved to Melbourne in the mid 1970s and during her research and teaching career, Professor Selwood always made time for her garden. They are also attracted to areas where there is a water source.Possums will den in a variety of places, including trees, hollow logs, abandoned buildings and attics. 1. We have much more to do and your continued support is needed now more than ever. "And when all else fails, they 'play possum' and act as if they are dead. When the animal gets caught, it should be removed immediately. A possum guard is a device that is installed in the roof space of a house. I noted what they did and didnt eat. Possums Love to Chew! Possums are very destructive pests. But pyrethrum on its own had some major downsides.While its highly regarded because its an organic substance and people feel comfortable using it, unlike other insecticides, its sensitive to sunlight and so it degrades after exposure to sunlight. Possums, also known as opossums, are very destructive creatures and a common problem in rural areas. As expected, it helped control the insects and Professor Selwood noticed another benefit.The possums tended to avoid these trees when I used pyrethrum and I knew from some of my work in the University that they didnt like the smell of pyrethrum, she says.Professor Selwood trialed several mixtures before finding one that deterred possum browsing. It is a humane way to control pests. 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