Do Possums Return to the Same Spot?

Possums are frequent nighttime visitors, often spotted near trash cans, gardens, or under porches. Their unpredictable habits leave many homeowners wondering if seeing one means it will keep coming back to the same place.

Do Possums Return to the Same Spot?

Possums will often revisit a location if they’ve discovered an easy source of food or a safe place to rest. This could include trash cans, pet food left outdoors, or sheltered spots like attics and crawl spaces.

Their excellent memory for reliable resources makes them more likely to return until those resources are removed. That said, possums are not typically territorial or permanent residents.

Unlike raccoons or squirrels, they prefer a nomadic lifestyle, moving from one spot to another once food runs out. If your yard continues to provide what they need, they may linger longer, but otherwise, they’ll eventually move on.

Why Do Possums Come Back to the Same Area?

Possums are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll keep returning to places where food is easy to find. Open garbage cans, fallen fruit in the yard, bird feeders, or leftover pet food are irresistible to them.

Once they discover these resources, they often return night after night until the supply runs out. Shelter is another big reason possums revisit the same area.

Safe spots like sheds, crawl spaces, and porches provide them with protection from predators and harsh weather. If a possum feels secure and comfortable in a particular hiding place, it may return regularly, especially during colder months.

How Long Do Possums Stay in One Place?

Possums are generally short-term visitors, often staying only a few days to a couple of weeks in one location. They prefer to keep moving and follow food sources rather than settling down in a single spot for long periods.

This wandering lifestyle helps them adapt to changing environments and avoid predators. The exception is when a female possum has young.

In that case, she may remain in the same den for several weeks while raising her babies, leaving only to forage for food. Once the young are old enough to travel, the family moves on and abandons the den.

Do Possums Nest in the Same Den Year After Year?

Unlike some other wildlife, possums don’t typically reuse the same den year after year. They are wanderers by nature, preferring to move around and take advantage of whatever safe shelter is available at the time.

This means they’re less likely to establish a permanent nesting site on your property. However, female possums with young may stay in a particular den for several weeks during the breeding season.

They choose safe, hidden spots like attics, sheds, or hollow logs to raise their babies until the young are old enough to leave. Once that period is over, the den is usually abandoned, though another possum might take it over later if it’s still accessible.

What Attracts Possums to a Property?

Possums are drawn to easy food sources, which is why open trash cans, compost piles, bird seed, and pet food left outdoors are common lures. They are scavengers and will happily take advantage of whatever is readily available, returning night after night if the food supply continues.

Even gardens with fallen fruit or vegetables can be enough to keep them coming back. Shelter is just as important as food when it comes to attracting possums.

They look for dark, quiet, and secure spaces like crawl spaces, attics, sheds, or under porches to rest or raise young. If your property offers both food and safe hiding spots, it becomes an inviting stop for these adaptable animals.

How Do You Keep Possums From Coming Back?

The first step to keeping possums from returning is removing what attracts them. Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, bring pet food indoors at night, and clean up fallen fruit or bird seed that might serve as an easy meal.

Without a reliable food source, possums are far less likely to revisit your yard. Excluding shelter is just as important as managing food.

Seal entry points under decks, sheds, and crawl spaces with wire mesh or sturdy materials so possums can’t den there. Adding deterrents like motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also discourage them, but for persistent issues, professional wildlife removal is often the most effective long-term solution.

Are Possums Dangerous to Humans or Pets?

Possums are generally not aggressive and prefer to avoid conflict whenever possible. If threatened, they’re more likely to hiss, bare their teeth, or “play dead” than actually attack. In fact, they can be beneficial to have around since they eat ticks, insects, and even small rodents.

That said, possums can still pose some risks. They may carry parasites or diseases that can spread to pets through contact with droppings or contaminated areas. Pets are also at risk of being sprayed with foul-smelling musk if they get too close. While the danger is usually low, it’s smart to keep possums at a safe distance from your home and animals.

Securing Your Space from Possums

Possums may return to the same spot if they find food or shelter, but they rarely stay permanently since they prefer a roaming lifestyle. Their visits are usually short-term, lasting only as long as your property provides what they need.

By removing attractants and closing off hiding places, you can make your home less appealing to these nighttime visitors. And if possums become a persistent problem, professional help ensures they’re removed safely while preventing future returns.

Call AAAC Wildlife Removal for Safe Possum Control

If possums keep showing up around your home, it’s time to bring in the experts. At AAAC Wildlife Removal, our team specializes in safe, humane possum removal and long-term prevention. We don’t just remove the animal, we identify what’s attracting it and seal off entry points to keep it from coming back.

Whether possums are nesting under your porch, sneaking into the attic, or digging through your trash, we’ve got the tools and expertise to handle it.