Possums are some of the cutest creatures that you are going to come across in your lifetime. However, many people tend to mistake possums as being similar to raccoons, and often hurt them.
The possum has a very unique defense mechanism: it tends to fall on the ground and faint completely. Then, it secretes a substance through its anus that makes a predator think that the animal is dead.
This might come as a surprise to most people, but the possum really enters a comatose state when it is threatened. You can pick it up and capture it or move it to a different location.
Some might think that this is a pretty ineffective method, but you will be surprised at just how it works in the wild. Most wild animals do not like to eat dead animals, and as a result of the stench that is released by the possum, they often think that the animal is dead and completely leave it be.
The possum can regain consciousness any time between 40 minutes and four hours, and as soon as it does, the animal just scampers away. One of the things that you need to understand is that the possum is a nocturnal marsupial.
This means that this animal only comes out at night and likes to scavenge for food. You will often find it scurrying through your backyard or your garden.
The real issue for many people is when the possum causes a mess in your garden or your landscape. The last thing that you would want is to wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of something in your trash bins, only to find that it’s a possum in search of food.
Then, as you look around, you realize that the animal has completely destroyed the landscape that you worked so hard to create. More importantly, you should know that possums can spread certain diseases as well, such as spotted fever.
Can They Dig Underground?
The possum likes to hunt and gather food at night, and many people are often confused as to how they are able to enter their garden despite the fencing. Some often assume that the animal might have dug under the ground to gain access.
The fact that these animals have very sharp and pointed claws further lends credence to this rumor. However, you should know that this is just not true at all.
Even though there are a lot of animals that like to dig holes to live, the possum just isn’t one of these guys. The possum likes to live in hollowed legs or tree trunks that offer a modicum of shelter.
Even though the animal won’t be digging any holes so that it can seek shelter under the ground, the possum still does a great deal of digging. They often do so because they are looking for food, especially bugs, under the ground.
The fact that they are able to dig so easily makes it ideal for them to find food under the ground.
That being said, there have been instances where a possum has managed to dig its way into the ground. This usually happens when the fence is relatively small or not properly fitted into the ground.
For instance, there have been any instances where people have their fence just touching the ground. Obviously, the possum will have no trouble getting down and under the fence.
However, you should know that the animal’s desire to dig under your fence is only going to increase if they notice that there are food items available. Keep in mind that the animal won’t really bother if you take good care of your yard.
If possums enter your yard, you will have to take remedial steps to get rid of the problem. There are several different ways to prevent and deter possums from entering your yard.
Keep in mind that it’s best to only use humane methods to get rid of the problem. There is no reason why you should think about shooting the possums or setting up harmful traps that can hurt or kill the animal. Here’s what you have to do.
Get Rid of Additional Food in Your Yard
A common mistake that way too many people make is that they tend to leave food strewn around in their yard, and this attracts lots of possums and other animals as well. As long as these animals are able to get access to available food, they are definitely going to try and look for ways to enter your yard.
There are a number of simple steps that you can take to make sure this doesn’t happen. For instance, if you have garbage cans out in the yard, you should make sure that they are always covered with a lid. Furthermore, you should also lock the lid tightly.
Then, if you feed your pet outdoors, it’s also important that you clean up the area once the animal is done. Bring inside all of the water dishes and the pet food. You should know that the smell wafts much more than you think, and wild animals will pick up on it.
More importantly, if you have a compost pile, you should always check if you are adding any animal products to it. Never add animal products to your compost pile.
Also, you should make it a habit to keep your garden as clean as possible. Always pick up and discard fallen vegetables and fruit, and also remove any overripe fruit from your garden on a consistent basis.
Check for and Get Rid of Hiding Spots
Possums generally like to hide in different kinds of hiding spots. These animals are not really high on the food chain, so they look for different kinds of hiding spots where they can remain protected.
If you want them to leave your yard, you need to get rid of these hiding spots. For instance, start with the thick shrubbery that you have around the property. Make sure that you thin out the hedges as well as the vegetation around the property.
If you have stacks of wood or leaf piles in different corners, always get rid of them. Similarly, if you have a shed where you keep all of your garden equipment, it would be a wise idea to make sure that you lock it tightly.
These are prime spots where the possums are going to rush and hide, and you have to take particular steps to clean them properly. Remember, you should make it a habit to clean these things as much as possible.
Possums generally like untidy spots, and if you have a habit of keeping everything neat and tidy, you will notice that the number of possums rummaging around your property is automatically going to decrease.
These are just a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to dealing with possums in your yard. Obviously, there’s no reason to take inhumane steps, and there are some pretty simple ways by which you can completely get rid of them without making much of an effort here.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
--
If you want more backyard tips including recipes, how-tos and more, make sure you subscribe to my youtube channel