Opossums Removal, Possum Removal & Trapping in Virginia
(804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383
Opossums causing you problems? Possum Removal & Possum Trapping throughout VA. We provide opossum trapping, opossum removal, opossum capture, opossum control, opossum management and opossum exclusion services in the Henrico, Glen Allen, Midlothian, Richmond, Charlottesville, and other areas of Virginia. Did you know that possums go by many names including opossum, possum and the Virginia possum. Contact us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383 to schedule one of our local Wildlife Control Technicians to address you possum removal needs.
Opossum Information
The Opossum (Didelphis virginianus) is North Americas only native marsupial. Opossums (possums) are omnivorous they will eat vegetables from your garden, food scraps from your garbage, and pet food from your pet dishes. They will often take up residence in crawl spaces, attics, and under porches, decks, garages, sheds and outbuildings.
Opossums (possums or posums) are relatively resistant to rabies; however, they can be infected with the disease. Opossums (possums or posum) can carry Equine Protozoal Myloencephalitis (EPM) which is a major threat to horses.
Description of Opossum Damage in Virginia
Although opossums (possums) may be considered desirable as game animals, certain individuals may be a nuisance near homes where they may get into garbage, bird feeders, or pet food. They may also destroy poultry, game birds, and their nests. (Source: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage, 1994). They are also notorious for getting into crawlspaces of homes and dying.
Health Concerns Involving Opossums (Possums)
Opossums (possums) carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Opossum diseases are not to be taken lightly. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossum (possum) are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments. Possum poop is also disgusting and creates quite a mess.
Possum Facts
- Possums often destroy wild bird and game bird nests.
- Possums are the major carrier of the EPM virus that is fatal to horses.
- Possums cause havoc on domestic livestock.
- The Virginia opossum has more teeth (50) than any other North American Mammal.
- A study conducted by a University of Florida researcher traces the existence of opossums as far back as the extinction of dinosaurs.
How To Get Rid Of Opossums (Possums)
- Remove all food sources. Do not intentionally provide food for the possums. You may think that you are doing a good deed, but possums fed by humans gradually lose their fear of humans and are more likely to become aggressive when food is not given to them.
- Prevent possums from getting into your trash by keeping the lid of your garbage cans closed by securing it with bungee cords, chains, ropes, or weights. You could also by garbage cans with lids that have clamps to keep them on. Securing side handles to stakes driven into the ground will prevent the trash bins from tipping over.
- Feed your pets indoors. If this is not possible, feed your pets outdoors in the late morning or middle of the afternoon. Remove all sources of food and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house.
- Keep food in secure compost containers. Do not use open compost piles. Instead, keep the compost in covered compost structures or covered worm boxes.
- Clean barbecue grills and grease traps after you use them.
- Pick up fruit that drops from trees or bushes. Better yet, avoid having plants that produce appetizing fruit.
- Avoid laying out bird seed. If you do provide bird seed, try to lay some out in the late morning or mid-afternoon and only spread enough to feed the birds for that single day. Alternatively, fill bird feeders with seed and transfer them inside each night at dusk.
- Eliminate cover and shelter areas. Even though possums will not make dens in outdoor covering, they may find it an appealing place to hide.
- Mow tall grass, especially around houses and other buildings.
- Remove piles of wood, grass clippings, or other debris. This also includes items like overturned planters or barrels.
- Deny access to your home will help keep opossums out.
- Cover your foundation vents. One of the easiest ways for possums to sneak into your home is through the dryer vent or other vents along the foundation. Block possums from sneaking in through these openings by covering them with slotted metal vent covers. These covers are screwed onto the vent and have just enough room for steam and smoke to escape but not enough for possums to sneak through.
- Crawlspace doors should be kept closed at all times. If the access door is damaged or does not fit properly, have it repaired or replaced.
- Keep pet doors locked, particularly from dusk to dawn.
- Trim tree branches. Possums can access the roof of your home if tree branches or other tall plants are positioned nearby.
- Tree branches should be trimmed a minimum of 10 ft (3.05 m) away from the roof.
- Do not place climbing plants near the house, especially not near the eaves areas.
- Animal-proof your deck. Possums have been known to hide out under low decks, so these should also be protected with some form of metal barrier. We can providing animal proofing services to kept possums, skunks, groundhogs and other burrowing animals from digging under your deck, porch, shed or garage.
- Use 1/4-inch (6.35-mm) grid screening or solid metal flashing.
- Dig a trench around the perimeter of the deck. The hole should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep.
- Place the screening or flashing in the trench. The barrier should extend from the bottom of the hole to the bottom or underside of the deck.
- Fill the trench in with dirt, packing it down in place to prevent the screening from being jolted or wiggled around.
- Attach the top of the screening to the deck. Nails or fence post staples usually work best.
Contact us for local opossum removal or possum removal in your area. Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services is a full-service animal wildlife trapping, animal removal, animal capture, pest control, animal control, and wildlife management company serving many counties, cities, towns and communities throughout Virginia.
Our Service Area for Opossum Removal, Opossum Trapping, and Opossum Control in Virginia
We provide residential, commercial, and industrial animal removal, animal control, animal trapping, animal capture, pest control and wildlife management services in Afton, Albemarle County, Alexandria, Amelia County, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Ashland, Barboursville, Bellwood, Belmont, Bensley, Bermuda Hundred, Bon Air, Boyd Tavern, Brandermill, Bumpass, Burke, Central VA, Centreville, Chamberlain, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Chester, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Crozet, Cuckoo, CVille, Dale City, Doswell, Dumbarton, Earlysville, East Highland Park, Enon, Ettrick, Fairfax, Fair Oaks, Ferncliff, Fluvanna County, Fredericksburg, Genito, Glen Allen, Glenora, Goochland County, Gordonsville, Gum Spring, Hadensville, Hampton, Hampton Park, Hanover County, Harrisonburg, Harrogate, Hening, Henrico County, Highland Springs, Hopewell, Innsbrook, Jefferson Davis, Kents Store, Keswick, Lake Anna, Lake Monticello, Lake Ridge, Lakeside, Laurel, Leesburg, Lewiston, Lignum, Locust Grove, Louisa County, Maidens, Manakin, Manakin-Sabot, Manassas, Manchester, McLean, Montrose, Motoaca, Meadowbrook, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Mineral, Moseley, Newport News, Norfolk, North Courthouse, North Garden, Oilville, Orange County, Palmyra, Pantops, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Powhatan County, Reams, Reston, Richmond, Richmond County, Robious, Rockville, Rockwood, RVA, Salisbury, Sandston, Sandy Hook, Scottsville, Shannon Hill, Short Pump, South Rockwood, Spring Run, Staunton, Stoney Point, Suffolk, Tidewater, Troy, Tuckahoe, Va, Varina, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Williamsburg, Winchester, Winterpock, Woodlake, Wyndham, and the surrounding areas of Virginia.
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