Question
QUESTION: hello, i have possums invading my attic. how do i know? i set up a cage trap
out side by the point of entry-i believe-and caught 2 adolescent/small ones
about two days apart. one male. one female. in turn, i released them into the
woods about 10 miles from my home.

i had peace for about 2 months. now there is one or more making my home
its home.

any advise on how to get rid of this one. and proof my home. it is a wood
frame home from the 30's. it was modernized with a second kind of "skin"
wood-like panel material so that you cannot see the woodframes anymore.
i imagine there are probably several slots of entry but who knows?

thx,

ANSWER: Hi Manny,

Opossum are not very territorial so new ones will always be wandering in from other places. Your previous ones likely have not returned. I understand about old houses but it would be a wise investment to seal out entrances.  Skunk and raccoon might move in and are much worse than opossum.  Anyway, I make a great electronic deterrent to keep all of these away.  For best results you should trap out the current intruder and then use the deterrent to prevent future guests. The deterrent will probably send it on without trapping but that one will return from time to time. Opossum really aren't dangerous in most cases.  At least by my experience. I've picked them up by their tails and put in boxes to relocate. Usually I put out an empty large cat/dog food bag with a bit left in... and watch for it being occupied in the early night.  Then stand it up, close it and put in an empty trash can with lid.  Then release it elsewhere. Wear leather gloves, but I've never had one try to bite. If you get one hissing and acting mean... stay away.  Opossum don't carry rabies, but an ill tempered one has big teeth if it were to tangle.  The majority of them are actually petable... tho it freaks them a tad at first... and they are smelly. My deterrents...

http://www.freewebs.com/walnut_creek_enterprises/

Dan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thx, dan,

how big a hole can an opossum get through? so that i can begin to u/s what
may or not be an entry. how is the oppossum using my home? what is its
daily routine so to speak? i'm interested in knowing who i am up against.

1. catch it. 2. seal the house. 3. install electronic deterrent.

manny

Answer
Hi Manny,

The electric grid has been down here due to ice storms. No internet for days.

Anything a house cat could get thru a possum might.  3-6 inch diameter. They are just looking for shelter. If you find the hole, be ready to seal it at night and put a small slice of apple outside near it. Start checking a couple hours after dark. When it is gone the possum is out for the night and seal it up. Same technique for raccoon or skunk. They can't resist an apple treat.  Use apple in cage traps as well since domestic cats won't be attracted to apple... I've been told they can't taste sweet. But oddly, domestic cats often like sweet corn... so it isn't a good bait.

Dan