How to Get Rid of Opossum?

Your trash cans are tipped over again, the dog won’t stop barking at something under the deck, and it feels like you’re hosting a freeloading tenant who never pays rent. That tenant is most likely an opossum, and while they’re not the most dangerous wildlife out there, they are masters of chaos when they decide your home is their buffet and crash pad.

Left unchecked, the noise, droppings, and property damage can quickly add up to a bigger problem than most homeowners bargain for. Trying random internet tricks to scare them off usually ends in frustration, since opossums adapt quickly to half-measures.

The smarter play is tackling the problem with a plan that actually works and prevents future visits. That’s where AAAC Wildlife Removal comes in; our team uses proven, humane methods to evict these pests and seal off their favorite hiding spots so your property stays opossum-free for good.

What Makes Opossums Different?

Opossums aren’t just another backyard nuisance; they’re opportunists with quirks that make them tricky to deal with. Unlike raccoons or squirrels, they rarely dig or chew, but they’ll happily raid your garbage, pet food bowls, and compost pile.

They’re also climbers, which means attics, crawl spaces, and even rooflines are fair game when they’re searching for shelter. The twist most homeowners don’t realize? Opossums can actually be helpful in small doses, eating ticks, insects, and even rodents.

The problem starts when they stick around too long, leaving behind droppings, foul odors, and the risk of spreading parasites. Understanding that balance, beneficial in nature, destructive in your home, is key to knowing why smart, humane removal is the only real solution.

Spotting the Signs of an Opossum Problem

Before you can get rid of an opossum, you need to be sure you’re actually dealing with one. These critters leave behind clues that separate them from raccoons, squirrels, or stray cats.

Pay attention to where the activity is happening and when, opossums are nocturnal, so most of the action happens after dark. Here are the most common signs that an opossum has moved in:

• Rustling or hissing at night – Opossums shuffle loudly through brush or under decks, and may hiss if cornered.
• Tipped-over trash cans – They’re notorious scavengers that won’t hesitate to dig for leftovers.
• Droppings and foul odors – Piles of waste near entry points or under porches are a clear giveaway.
• Tracks and paw prints – Look for small, hand-like prints with five fingers, often near food or water sources.
• Nesting materials – Leaves, insulation, or debris dragged into crawl spaces or attics often point to an opossum den.

Spotting even one of these warning signs means it’s time to act before the problem grows. The longer an opossum feels at home, the harder it becomes to send it packing.

AAAC’s Secret Sauce: Smart & Humane Eviction Strategy

Getting rid of an opossum isn’t about throwing random repellents at the problem, it’s about using a proven process that makes sure the animal leaves and doesn’t come back. AAAC Wildlife Removal has built its reputation on humane methods that protect your home without harming wildlife.

Every step is designed to solve today’s issue and prevent tomorrow’s repeat visit. Here’s how the strategy works:

• Entry-Point Lockdown – Opossums can squeeze through gaps as small as a few inches. AAAC inspects your home from rooflines to crawl spaces and seals even the sneakiest openings.
• Habitat Makeover – Brush piles, open compost, and pet food left outside all look like free real estate to opossums. Clearing these attractants removes their reason to stick around.
• Targeted Deterrents – Motion lights, sprinklers, and predator scents are rotated strategically so the animal doesn’t adapt and ignore them.
• Humane Trapping – If removal is necessary, AAAC uses live traps, checks them often, and relocates responsibly while following local laws.
• Clean Slate Finish – Once the opossum is gone, AAAC cleans up droppings, repairs damage, and deodorizes the space so nothing is left to attract another visitor.

This step-by-step approach means you’re not just chasing the problem, you’re solving it for good.

Why AAAC Wins Over DIY & Generic Guides?

Most online guides recycle the same advice: “secure your trash,” “shine a light,” “sprinkle some deterrent.” While these steps might help temporarily, they rarely keep opossums away for long. Homeowners end up frustrated when the same critter returns the next night like nothing happened.

AAAC Wildlife Removal doesn’t gamble with guesswork. Their technicians know exactly where opossums sneak in, how to shut those entry points permanently, and the safest way to evict them. Add in cleanup, deodorizing, and long-term prevention, and you get a full solution, not just a short-term fix. That’s the difference between chasing the problem and actually solving it.

DIY Power Moves Without the Risk

Not every homeowner wants to sit on their hands while waiting for the pros to arrive. The good news is there are a few safe, practical steps you can take to make your property less appealing to opossums right away.

These aren’t silver bullets, but they can buy you peace of mind and reduce the chances of repeat visits. Try these homeowner-friendly moves:

• Bring pet food indoors overnight – Leaving a food bowl outside is like putting out a welcome mat for an opossum.
• Lock down your trash cans – Use tight lids or bungee cords so scavengers can’t tip them over.
• Seal temporary entry points – Hardware cloth or wire mesh works far better than foam or plastic.
• Add motion deterrents – Lights and sprinklers on timers confuse nocturnal visitors and make your yard less comfortable.
• Document the signs – Snap photos of droppings, openings, or tracks so AAAC can pinpoint the problem faster.

These quick fixes keep things under control, but they’re no substitute for a full inspection and permanent exclusion. For that, AAAC Wildlife Removal is the one to call.

Fast-Action Checklist

If you think an opossum has made itself at home, don’t waste time second-guessing. Follow this quick checklist to get the situation under control:

1. Inspect key areas – Check your attic, crawl space, and under decks for noise, droppings, or nesting debris.
2. Remove attractants – Secure garbage, clean up fallen fruit, and keep pet food indoors overnight.
3. Trim back overgrowth – Clear brush piles and cut branches that give opossums easy access to your roof.
4. Seal what you can – Close off obvious holes with sturdy mesh or hardware cloth as a temporary measure.
5. Call AAAC Wildlife Removal – Get a professional inspection, humane removal, and permanent exclusion.

Following this sequence means you’re not just reacting to the problem, you’re getting ahead of it before it spirals.

Take Back Your Peace of Mind

Opossums aren’t out to pick a fight, but once they’ve chosen your home as their hideout, they can make daily life noisy, messy, and stressful. Hoping they’ll just wander off rarely works, and DIY fixes only delay the problem.

The good news is you don’t have to live with the hassle. AAAC Wildlife Removal knows exactly how to remove opossums humanely, repair the damage they leave behind, and seal your property to keep them from coming back. One call is all it takes to reclaim your peace of mind and enjoy an opossum-free home again.

Call AAAC Wildlife Removal Today!

Don’t let an opossum turn your home into its personal crash pad. With AAAC Wildlife Removal, you get expert inspections, humane removal, and permanent exclusion, all handled by professionals who know exactly what they’re doing.

Call now and schedule your inspection with AAAC Wildlife Removal. The sooner you act, the sooner you can enjoy a clean, quiet, and opossum-free home.