Both kinds of possum may live in your roof if they can't find suitable homes in trees. To deter brushtail possums, use hot pepper or tabasco sauce. They also dislike prickly plants such as prickly pears Q. The order Didelphimorphia contains the only Opossums that live in North America. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Much like the pet fur, or the wolfs urine, the decoy presents an actual animal, and it will be hard for a possum to tell if its real or not since it wont get close enough! Neither is living with this creature easy. Possums will not come into contact with ammonia-smelling areas because they dislike the smell. Camphor, commonly used in vapor rubs, oils, and lotions, is a scent that is hated by opossums. Bear in mind that essential oils are strong, and you shouldnt apply them in areas where youll be spending lots of time unless you love the smell. Spices are a great way to scare opossum. Opossums are used to being in the dark; being in light will make them feel unsafe as predators can see them and will actually confuse a possum itself. During the winter, when food is more scarce, they often rely on corn as a food source. They eat roaches, which means they are not rabies-prone. Required fields are marked *. Although opossums have a generally passive personality and arent always bad to have around the problems start to occur when possums dont leave. Shallow holes in the ground, surrounded by a ring of loosened soil. But the problems caused by possums don't end with plant decimation. Some predators an opossum may attract include owls, hawks, coyotes, foxes, wolves, and bobcats. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. You can spray thisspicy spraydirectly onto plants and into your garden, around the perimeter of crawl spaces, attics, underneath decks, etc., to keep possums away. The light needs to be installed in areas where the opossum is likely to be active, like hiding places, trees, logs, lawn, trash bins, compost, and woodpiles. Here are the instructions you need to follow: Precaution needs to be taken because ammonia is harmful to humans and other living things like pets. Read more Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away. The spikes are best kept on the fences, attics, and pergola beams. What smells keep possums away? While possums (technically opossums, but more commonly referred to by their shortened name) are omnivores and could theoretically kill and eat a housecat or dog, these common backyard visitors are more focused on easier prey. Possums eat a wide variety of foods. The possum has two primary senses: its keen sense of touch and a keen sense of smell. Opossums, in some cases, can be good for your gardens because they love to eat insects, snails, slugs, and even small rodents. What garden vegetables do possums eat? Yes, possums do not like flashing or bright lights Q. When they see overflowing trash cans or compost bins, they flock to them. This bark is used as a primary component in the majority of commercial possum repellents. Possums are capable of causing a lot of damage to plants if they feed on them repeatedly. The stink bomb will block the path and the smell deter opossums from gaining entry. To use onions to deter possums, peel an onion, slice it up, and add slices around your garden and the plants that need the most security. In winter, they will consume flowers. Spread something that smells potent. Their distribution is widespread, and their range is expanding. Mothballs are the cheapest method of keeping opossums away. Though they don't eat ticks, they eat other insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and cockroaches. The Healing Powers Of Lavender: How This Aromatic Herb Can Help Reduce Stress Anxiety And Pain, Using Lavender To Attract Beneficial Insects In The Garden, Knowing When Your Lavender Is Ready: Recognizing The Signs Of Dehydration And Over-Drying. Possums are nocturnal animals that are known to eat a variety of things, including grevilleas. To make a garlic spray, youll need water, and two tablespoons of chopped or crushed garlic. To stop possums, a loose, wobbly fence is a good idea. Like many Plectranthus species, Mona Lavender has interesting foliage in that the undersides of the leaves are a rich port colour whilst the topsides are dark green. Whats the best way to prevent possums from attacking my dog? When you plug, lets say, an ultrasonic device into power, the noise can be heard 10m away. Many herbs have vegetation and/or leaves that smell wonderful to humans but that pests find repellent. Please, consult a professional before this one. The wire flops outwards, making it hard for the possum to get over it. The Common Brushtail Possum may also eat grass, fungi, bird's eggs and baby birds. The only things that didnt work were high-beam sensor lighting or alternative food (fruit scraps). However do not spray ammonia on gardens, crops, trees, or anywhere where you have pets or common areas, as it could be hazardous. Their long, pointy snouts make them a veritable cordless vacuum when it comes to these disease-spreading vectors. They will also eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. They, and Brushtails, also eat flowers, fruits and veggies. You can spray at least two times per week. Because opossums pose little threat and frequently leave on their own, you can effectively manage the steps to keep them away without spending a lot of money. A tea-based deterrent like lapsang souchong tea will keep opossum away. You could also use a fish sauce, Tabasco sauce, or laundry detergent spray to remove the leaves from your plants. The skunk presses its nose to the soil and digs with its long, front claws. "Plan around them and just deal with it.". If there is no eucalyptus around, they settle for other plants, such as green plum, acacia, red bush apple, and more. Although you may think a dog or a cat isnt thetypical possum predator, any scent of any animal can be enough to keep opossums away. 1 cup molasses and 1 litre of water have to be mixed in a mixing bowl. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They will scent an area to let other possums know they're not welcome. In fact, they do a lot of good by eating pest insects like ticks and aphids. All you have to do is get peppermint oil and apply it to the paths or entry point opossum used to get to your home. A mixed cup of molasses with 1 -liter of water. Opossums are attracted to their dirty smell, which is any strong smell besides what the creature is used to. All you have to do is gather water, garden lawns, and a concoction of molasses. So, lets break this down with some differences. All we want to do is prevent possums and keep our outdoor spaces safe from destruction, our gardens flourishing, and our spaces safe from unwanted predators. Camphor overpowers an opossums senses and doesnt signal a food source, leading to them staying away. Remember, possums arent out to ruin your day. 5. Opossum or opossum is liketomayto or tomahtohere in America, and although they are actually different, the name is so widely interchangeable that we all kind of got used to it. Opossums Make Strange Sounds. Another way to use garlic would be to mix bits of garlic or minced garlic in water and spray the garlic water mix around your garden, outdoor spaces, and fruit trees. In the wild, the opossums diet consists primarily of plants and small animals, with a few exceptions. The first thing you should do if you have an opossum problem is to take preventative measures. Mosquito repellents contain components of predators urine that elicit a fear response in pests. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. If you intend to trap an opossum indoors, it may be preferable to leave it alone near a fence or barrier. Liquid seaweed fertilisers also produce a smell herbivores do not like, but liquids will need to be repeatedly added as they wash off in the rain. Another problem that possums cause is thatthey attract predator animalsthat may be more harmful to humans than the opossum itself. Their strong, pungent smell will drive them away. If you dont have a spray bottle, you can use crushed garlic cloves or mix minced garlic and water with water and place it around your yard or spray it on surfaces where the animals are active. According to Michigan State University Extension, skunks can lower their body temperatures about 10 degrees for short periods of time, but this does not give them the edge for winter survival. Place affected plants in the mouth of a blending mixture and spread evenly. Possums have an extremely low metabolism, so their caloric needs are easily met with simple plants; Fruit - Leaves are all well and . Brushtail Possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that other animals find poisonous. Thanks for stopping by! For best results, lavender should be grown in well-draining, neutral to alkaline soil. I want to address one thing here, technically the terms possum and opossum are correct when referring to these marsupials but the crazy thing is, although we use possum more in the United States, the American possum is actually an opossum I know, confusing. There is no doubt that mosquitoes have an innate desire for filthy environments. 2/ He says that brushtails are quite territorial. Much like foxs urine, pet fur works to get rid of possums by establishing a predator territory. Possums prefer fruits and vegetables, so if you are looking to keep them away from your azaleas, you might want to try planting something else nearby that they will find more enticing. With any scent deterrent, be sure to reapply the scent often to keep the smell strong and effective. On the other hand, if this is not the case, it travels four times greater than its territory to obtain supplies. Possums do not eat cats but may attack them while competing for food. Create a barrier around your garden by using predator urine or installing loud deterrents. Possums (Australia) have furry tails, while opossums (America) have bare tails like a rats tail like the one we see in the USA! Anyone with a yard will tell you that opossum and garden cant be in the same sentence. This will encourage the possum to move to its new location. Cat or dog hair helps in removing opossums. Do possum traps work? Generally, animals wont bother with another dead animal and will keep on moving. Some people also recommend using motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic sound devices to deter possums from entering your yard. While there are a handful of observations of ratsnakes eating other snakes, it should not be considered a common occurrence. If a possum eats the new growth from a tree, you must figure out how to keep it out. It is best to use the same batch every two weeks or every time the weather changes. Even though, the average lifespan for skunks . They Have Impressive Tails. After that, you can keep the mixture in a spray bottle. 3 Their tails are long nearly as long as the opossums themselves and are . Type: Mammals. There are some plants the native wildlife, in particular, do not like to eat and these can be used as a natural deterrent. While possums will eat just about anything, they do not seem to have a particular taste for azaleas. Emily has been gardening for over 20 years and has been involved in the herbalism community for just as long. It is possible to deter them from leaving by using scents such as camphor, garlic, onion, hot peppers, molasses, wolfs urine, ammonia, and pet fur around where they frequent, allowing you to control them. Common Brushtail Possum The Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is about the size of a cat. More so than their relatives in the northern hemisphere, possums native to Australia (with the brushtail variety introduced to New Zealand) are adept, flexible, and creative climbers. Opossums generally eat fruit, grains and insects, but will also eat out of compost piles, garbage cans and pet food dishes if they can get access. They have been known to eat fish, birds and mammals as well. The quickest way to get rid of an opossum is to wait a few days. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks you'll encounter . To make quassia chips spray, youll need 2 liter of water, 100g of chips, and one tablespoon of detergent. Alternatively, you can use naphthalene crystals to do the same thing. That said, the stronger the smell, the better. While they may not eat the entire plant, they can cause significant damage to a lavender patch if they are not stopped. Krause, W. J., & Krause, W. A. After that, you can spray the mixture on delicious garden leaves, fallen fruits, and other plants. In fact, azaleas are not even on their list of favorite foods. If none of those approaches works, it may be time to try out a opossum trap or a chemical repellent to chase away the creature. Since using the product, I havent seen a opossum in my yard. Some of these are most likely resistant to other animals. They will eat any available plants and animals within their area. You can also wrap spikes on tree trunks where opossums are used for climbing. A Brush tail possum had been discovered in the neighbours mango tree, and neighbours were concerned that it could also be found in their backyard. Possums will also eat insects, moths, grubs, snails, birds' eggs and baby birds. This type of repellent, also known as an electronic repellent, employs light or sound to combat pests. Fact 1: Diet. The rag will act as a wick to disperse the fumes. The chipped bark of a South American tree, such as quassia, is available at garden centers. Those alarms are motion-activated and will play a sequence whenever they hear a opossum coming. What Happens To Aphids When They Dont Have Plants? They have survived for over 70 million years on our planet. Pest Control Weekly is reader-supported. Possums are said to eat anything that is dead or available, from fruit, snakes, insects, slugs, eggs, rats and mice, fish, frogs, and the meat of other dead animals. It is common for young possums to remain with their mother until they are about 4 or 5 months old. Possums can be deterred by sealing off potential entry points to homes and outbuildings, and by keeping food securely stored. Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away. (2006). Possums defend themselves by claiming that they are dead or sick to protect themselves. Heres is the instruction you need to follow: Bear in mind that you should only spray this on plants. You can safely use this type of wildlife control by pouring some ammonia or scattering some mothballs in a coffee can around your yard. To add pet fur to your outdoor spaces, collect the hair that your pet has shed, or use the hair that is in the brush after you brush your pet and place it around the perimeter of your outdoor spaces. Ensure that you place the light in a strategic position that opossums are likely to use, and you wont be seeing them. For the latest information, searchABC Emergency, For the latestweather warnings in the Northern Territory, search onABC Emergency, Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog. Opossums, in some cases, can be good for your gardens because they love to eat insects, snails, slugs, and even small rodents. The smell of ammonia makes those animals obnoxious. Possums natural resistance to certain snake venoms makes them an ideal snake predator. Possums, like opportunists, will never pass up an opportunity to get their hands on a tasty meal. How do I keep possums away from my house? Locate the nest the possum has built in your roof, remove it (when the possum is out and foraging) and place this inside the nest box. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. 7 Sounds And Noises That Wasps Make (How To Identify Them). If this doesnt seem to help, placing minced garlic on small plates in your gardens can do the trick. Motion-activated sprinklers can also be used to deter possums from entering areas where they are not welcome. What plants do possums NOT like to eat? Garlic is an excellent repellent for an opossum, and every home has one in the kitchen. Thats why they recommended it. Bear in mind that they are different kinds of bird spikes. Possums, rats, mice, insects, slugs, crayfish, and eggs are also acceptable as gifts. Physical changes to your yard and barriers, rather than chemicals, are the most effective ways to keep opossums away from you. Some of these include: roses, daffodils, tulips, and lilies. Brushtail Possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that other animals find poisonous. Yes, it will to a certain extent, but not completely," Mr Kerin said. It will be simple for you to restore the beauty of your yard in no time. Keeping an eye on where your opossums are and ensuring that their habitat is kept clear are two simple ways to keep them out of your house. Then youll have to place the old sack to a place where the opossum enters your property. Let us now see what fruits do possums eat in the wild. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Turn on motion-sensitive sprinklers or lights. Heat 100g of the chips in a half-gallon of water in medium heat for an hour. Vicks vapor rub is an excellent natural deterrent for opossum. The size of a house cat, males average about 3 kg (6.6 pounds), females about 2 kg (4.4 pounds). For example, possums have been known to eat the flowers, leaves, and fruits of the grevillea plant. And, if you happen to spray the urine around your outdoor spacesand far enough away from your house,it will act as almost a complete shield from any unwanted visitors. You can either buy predators urine from the shop, or you can collect it. Opossums wont stand a strong smell. They consume garbage, pet food, birdseed, and poultry that humans find around their homes as well. What youll need is two liters of water, and four tablespoons of Lapsang Souchong tea. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Pest Pointers. In the wild, they eat young shoots, leaves, flowers, nectar and fruit of a variety of trees and shrubs. In terms of vegetables, they will eat anything they can get their paws on.
