Home / Pest Library /
Opossum
Opossums: Identification, Behaviour, and Control
Opossums are nocturnal marsupials commonly found in urban, suburban, and rural environments throughout Ontario. While they are generally non-aggressive and beneficial to the ecosystem, they can become a nuisance when they take shelter near homes, garages, sheds, or crawl spaces.
What Are Opossums?
Opossums are medium-sized mammals recognized by their grey fur, pointed snout, pink nose, and long hairless tail. They are excellent climbers and scavengers, often active at night while searching for food.
Common areas where opossums may be found include:
- Under decks and porches
- Crawl spaces and sheds
- Garages and barns
- Woodpiles and brush piles
- Near garbage bins and pet food sources
Why Opossums Enter Properties
Opossums are attracted to properties that provide:
- Easy access to food
- Shelter from weather and predators
- Quiet nesting areas
- Water sources nearby
Common attractants include:
- Open garbage containers
- Outdoor pet food
- Fallen fruit and gardens
- Compost bins
- Cluttered outdoor spaces
Signs of Opossum Activity
You may have opossums around your property if you notice:
- Nocturnal animal sightings
- Scratching or movement under decks or sheds
- Knocked-over garbage bins
- Tracks or droppings near structures
- Pet food disappearing overnight
- Damage to gardens or landscaping
Are Opossums Dangerous?
Opossums are generally shy and non-aggressive animals. However, they can still create concerns such as:
- Property nuisance and messes
- Garbage and compost disturbances
- Potential parasite transmission (fleas or ticks)
- Odours from nesting or waste
- Risk of defensive biting if cornered
When threatened, opossums may hiss, bare their teeth, or “play dead” as a defence mechanism.
Benefits of Opossums
Despite being nuisance wildlife at times, opossums can provide environmental benefits by feeding on:
- Insects
- Ticks
- Slugs and snails
- Rodents
- Carrion (dead animals)
They help naturally reduce certain pest populations around properties.
Prevention Tips
To reduce opossum activity around your property:
- Secure garbage and compost bins tightly
- Avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight
- Seal openings under decks, sheds, and crawl spaces
- Remove brush piles and outdoor clutter
- Trim overgrown vegetation near structures
- Eliminate easy food and water sources
Professional Opossum Control Solutions
If opossums are nesting near your home or causing ongoing issues, professional wildlife control may be necessary. Services typically include:
- Property inspection and identification of nesting areas
- Humane trapping and removal methods
- Exclusion and sealing of entry points
- Recommendations for habitat modification
- Preventative strategies to discourage return visits
