Skunks, Racoons and Possums

Possums are normally transient animals, staying only two to three days in an area before moving on. Do not try to trap and relocate the animal as removal is neither necessary nor desirable - neither is killing them! If possums were eliminated from an area, the population of roof rats and other pests would proliferate. Possums serve an important role by controlling the unwanted, harmful pest population around us.

If you are determined to remove a possum from near your home or animals then encourage it to do so on its own by removing whatever is attracting it to your area. Removing the attractants is essential or other possums and animals will come and fill the vacated niche. Possums are usually attracted by pet food left outside and dense shrubs to hide under.

· Do not leave pet food out at night

· Do not leave garage doors, pet doors or unscreened windows open at night.

· Do pick up fruit that has fallen from trees.

· Do cover garbage cans at night.

· Do clear dense bushes, woodpiles and other hiding places.

Back to Human-Wildlife Conflict

 

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. (Mahatma Gandhi)