Opossums are fascinating creatures that often go unnoticed due to their nocturnal habits and shy nature. However, when they move into your attic, shed, or under your porch, they can cause significant damage and health risks. Understanding opossum behavior and habits can help homeowners in Cape Cod prevent conflicts and address any wildlife control issues effectively.
What Is an Opossum?
The opossum is the only marsupial found in North America, easily recognized by its long, naked tail, pointed snout, and often white face with large black eyes. These nocturnal animals are primarily scavengers, eating a wide variety of foods, including fruits, insects, small animals, and even garbage. While they can be beneficial to the ecosystem by eating pests like ticks and beetles, they are also known for seeking shelter in residential areas, where they may cause problems.
Common Opossum Habits
Nocturnal Lifestyle
Opossums are most active during the night, foraging for food under the cover of darkness. Their natural curiosity and ability to adapt to urban environments make them excellent scavengers, often raiding garbage cans or seeking out pet food left outside. They are opportunistic feeders, so if food sources are readily available, they may return night after night.
Habitat Preferences
While opossums are skilled climbers, they tend to prefer ground-level shelters such as dens in hollow logs, underbrush, or burrows. In urban environments like Cape Cod, they often seek shelter in basements, attics, crawlspaces, and sheds—especially during the colder months. They might enter through gaps, holes, or improperly sealed vents.
Opossum Behavior: Solitary and Territorial
Unlike some wildlife species that live in groups, opossums are solitary animals. They typically establish a "home range" that they defend, but they will often roam widely in search of food. While they are not particularly aggressive, opossums will hiss, bare their teeth, or even "play dead" (a defense mechanism known as "playing possum") if they feel threatened.
Defensive Mechanisms
Opossums are known for their dramatic defense tactics. When confronted by a threat, they may freeze and excrete a foul-smelling substance from their anus, which can repel predators. In some cases, they may "play dead" by collapsing and appearing lifeless, an instinctive behavior that can make them seem more vulnerable than they actually are.
Reproduction and Lifespan
Opossums have a relatively short lifespan—typically only 2 to 4 years in the wild. They breed once a year, with a female giving birth to a litter of up to 13 babies. These tiny, underdeveloped young climb into their mother’s pouch, where they continue to grow until they are strong enough to leave and begin foraging for food on their own.
Signs of an Opossum Infestation
Though opossums are generally quiet, there are several signs that might indicate their presence around your home:
- Visible Damage to Property: Opossums may create holes in your roof or siding as they try to enter attics or crawlspaces. They may also chew on wires, insulation, or structural components.
- Scattered Garbage or Pet Food: Opossums are scavengers, so you may find disturbed trash cans or missing pet food outside.
- Noises at Night: Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds from your attic or walls at night can be a sign of an opossum seeking shelter.
- Droppings: Opossum droppings, which can often be found in attics or near their nests, are similar to those of a cat but contain undigested food, especially fruits and seeds.
Why Opossums Can Be Problematic
While opossums are relatively harmless, their presence can lead to several issues for homeowners:
- Property Damage: Opossums may chew on electrical wires, insulation, and wooden beams, potentially causing expensive damage or even creating fire hazards.
- Health Risks: Opossums can carry parasites like ticks, fleas, and lice, as well as diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and cat scratch fever. They may also spread bacteria through their feces or urine.
- Noise and Disturbance: The nocturnal nature of opossums can be disruptive, especially if they are living in your attic or under your house, as their movements can create loud, unsettling noises during the night.
How to Prevent Opossum Issues
At Critter Control of Cape Cod, we believe that prevention is key when it comes to dealing with opossums. Here are a few steps homeowners can take to prevent an infestation:
Secure Garbage Cans: Make sure trash bins are tightly sealed and stored in a secure location. If you have pets, avoid leaving food outdoors overnight.
Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for gaps or cracks in windows, doors, and vents. Opossums can fit through surprisingly small openings, so seal any potential entry points with durable materials.
Trim Trees and Shrubs: Opossums are skilled climbers, so trim back any tree branches or vines that may be giving them easy access to your roof or attic.
Remove Outdoor Food Sources: If you have fruit trees, harvest the fruit as soon as it ripens to avoid attracting opossums. Also, store pet food and birdseed indoors.
Install Mesh Fencing: To prevent opossums from burrowing under sheds or decks, consider installing mesh or wire fencing that extends a few feet underground.
How Critter Control of Cape Cod Can Help
If you suspect an opossum infestation or need help preventing these nocturnal visitors, Critter Control of Cape Cod is here to help. Our experienced wildlife control specialists are trained to handle all types of wildlife issues, including opossum removal and exclusion. We use humane, eco-friendly methods to safely trap and relocate opossums and can help you identify and seal any points of entry to prevent future issues.
Don’t let opossums disrupt your home and peace of mind. Contact Critter Control of Cape Cod today for a comprehensive wildlife inspection and tailored solutions for your home or business.