You can get a possum to leave by removing food sources, sealing entry points, and using safe deterrents like light, sound, or scent. These steps make your property less inviting, encouraging the animal to move on without harm.
Possums often wander into backyards, attics, or crawl spaces looking for food and shelter, leaving homeowners unsure how to make them go away. While they aren’t usually aggressive, their presence can cause mess, noise, and property damage.
The good news is possums can be encouraged to leave without harm. By understanding why they came in the first place, you can use simple, humane methods to guide them out and keep them from coming back.
Learn more: Why is it illegal to keep a possum?
Why Possums Come Onto Your Property
Possums are opportunistic animals, which means they go wherever food, water, and shelter are easy to find. Pet food left outside, uncovered trash cans, and overflowing gardens are common attractants that make your yard an inviting spot.
Shelter is another big reason possums stick around. Attics, sheds, crawl spaces, and even woodpiles provide warm, safe hiding spots that mimic natural dens, making your property an ideal place for them to settle.
Humane Ways to Get a Possum to Leave
The first step is to remove anything that attracts possums, such as pet food, bird seed, or unsecured garbage. Eliminating food and water sources quickly makes your property less appealing, encouraging them to move on naturally.
You can also use deterrents that make the environment uncomfortable without harming the animal. Bright lights, motion-activated sprinklers, loud noises, or strong scents like ammonia or vinegar can help persuade a possum to leave and find shelter elsewhere.
Securing Your Home and Yard
Once a possum leaves, sealing potential entry points is essential to keep it from coming back. Gaps under decks, holes in sheds, or loose attic vents should be repaired with durable materials like hardware cloth or metal flashing.
Regular yard maintenance also reduces hiding spots that possums look for. Trimming overgrown bushes, clearing woodpiles, and keeping compost bins covered makes your property less inviting, lowering the chances of another possum taking up residence.
When to Call a Professional
Sometimes possums become more than a simple nuisance, especially if they’ve made their way into attics, walls, or crawl spaces. In these situations, DIY methods may not be enough, and professional help ensures the animal is removed safely and humanely.
Wildlife removal experts know how to handle possums without causing stress or injury. They can also identify vulnerabilities around your property, provide exclusion solutions, and give long-term strategies to prevent future visits.
Conclusion
Getting a possum to leave doesn’t require harmful tactics—removing food, sealing entry points, and using safe deterrents are often enough to encourage it to move on. These simple steps not only solve the problem but also prevent repeat visits.
For stubborn cases, professional help ensures the animal is handled responsibly while protecting your property. By combining prevention with humane removal methods, you can keep your home possum-free without causing unnecessary harm.
Protect Your Home With AAAC Wildlife Removal
If a possum has settled into your attic, crawl space, or yard, professional help can save you time and frustration. DIY methods may provide temporary relief, but a persistent possum problem often requires expert attention to fully resolve.
At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we specialize in safe and humane possum removal. Our team not only removes the animal but also secures entry points and provides long-term solutions to keep your home protected from future invasions.
