Encountering opossums in your yard can be unsettling, but understanding their behavior and habits is key to effective management. Poway Pest Control Company provides comprehensive opossum removal and prevention services to protect your property.
Key Takeaways
- Opossums are drawn to food, water, and shelter, making residential properties attractive habitats.
- Effective opossum control includes eliminating attractants, securing potential nesting sites, and implementing professional removal techniques.
- Poway Pest Control Company offers expert services, including trapping, exclusion, and damage repair, ensuring long-term prevention.
- TAP Insulation provides an additional layer of pest control while improving your home’s thermal and acoustic efficiency.
Why Do I Find Opossums Living in My Yard?
Opossums, native to rural southern California, have adapted to urban environments due to human activity and habitat loss. They are attracted to areas with abundant food and water sources, such as:
- Fruit trees and vegetable gardens
- Garbage bins
- Pet food left outdoors
- Ponds and other water sources
- Lawn pests
Opossums vary in size, from as small as a mouse to as large as a house cat, and are easily identified by their long tails, pointed snouts, and shaggy bodies. These nocturnal creatures prefer dark, secure spaces like beneath homes, decks, and sheds. Despite their unappealing appearance, they are highly resilient and capable of faking death (playing possum) when threatened. Opossums can also transmit diseases, making professional intervention crucial.
Opossum Control Tips
To reduce the likelihood of opossums settling on your property:
- Eliminate Food Sources:
- Remove fallen fruit and vegetables from the gardens.
- Secure garbage can lids.
- Bring pet food indoors before nightfall.
- Secure Nesting Areas:
- Block access to spaces beneath decks, sheds, and homes.
- Repair holes in fences and walls to prevent entry.
- Regular Maintenance:
- Clean up the debris that could provide shelter.
- Trim overgrown vegetation around your property.
Are Opossums Harmful?
While generally non-aggressive, opossums can cause significant damage:
- Property Damage: They shred insulation to create nests, urinate, and defecate inside, leading to costly repairs.
- Health Risks: Opossums can spread diseases and fleas to humans and pets.
- Food Theft: They are known to raid garbage, gardens, and even chicken coops.
Pregnant opossums are particularly destructive as they prepare nests for their offspring, increasing the urgency for professional removal.
Professional Removal and Exclusion Services
Poway Pest Control Company specializes in:
- Trapping and Removal: Safe and humane methods to capture and remove opossums from your property.
- Exclusion Services: Blocking potential entry points to prevent future infestations.
- Damage Repair: Cleaning and repairing areas affected by opossum activity.
- Preventative Maintenance Plans: Regular services to keep your property opossum-free are available biweekly or quarterly.
TAP Insulation: A Comprehensive Solution
After opossums are removed, our team can replace damaged insulation with TAP Insulation, which offers:
- Thermal Efficiency: Reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
- Acoustic Benefits: Minimizes noise for a quieter home.
- Pest Control Properties: Contains boric acid to deter pests like ants, cockroaches, and termites.
TAP Insulation is safe for humans and pets but lethal to pests, providing long-term protection for your home.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if I have an opossum problem? Signs include overturned garbage cans, damaged insulation, droppings, and sightings of opossums near your home, especially at night.
2. Are opossums dangerous to humans? While not typically aggressive, opossums can carry diseases and parasites, posing health risks to humans and pets.
3. Can I trap and remove opossums myself? It is not advisable. Trapping opossums requires expertise to ensure safety and compliance with local regulations. Contacting a professional pest control service is recommended.
4. How do I prevent opossums from returning? Eliminate food and water sources, secure potential nesting sites, and consider a preventative maintenance plan from Poway Pest Control Company.
5. What should I do if I find a dead opossum on my property? Contact a pest control professional for safe removal and disposal to avoid disease exposure.
6. How does TAP Insulation work for pest control? TAP Insulation contains boric acid, which kills insects upon contact while providing thermal and acoustic insulation for your home.
Conclusion
Dealing with opossums can be challenging, but with the proper knowledge and professional support, you can protect your property effectively. Poway Pest Control Company is your trusted partner in opossum removal and prevention, offering customized solutions for lasting peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and safeguard your home.
