A possum hanging around your house likely found easy access to food, water, or shelter, such as open trash, pet food, or a quiet hiding spot.
Possums might seem like harmless drifters, but if one keeps hanging around your house, there’s likely a reason it keeps coming back. These nocturnal visitors are more strategic than they appear, especially when food and shelter are involved.
In this guide, we’ll break down why possums linger near homes, what signs to look out for, and how to deal with them safely before they turn into a recurring problem.
What does it mean when a possum hangs around your house?
When a possum sticks close to your home, it typically means it has found a reliable source of food, shelter, or both. This could include unsecured trash cans, pet food left outside, compost piles, or shaded crawl spaces that offer protection during the day.
Possums are opportunistic and will return to any location that consistently meets their basic needs. If your property provides easy meals and hiding spots with little disturbance, don’t be surprised if they make themselves a regular guest, or even move in permanently.
Why are possums attracted to residential properties?
Possums are drawn to homes because they’re loaded with food scraps, easy hiding places, and minimal threats. Open garbage bins, overflowing compost, pet food left on porches, and even birdseed can all act like an all-you-can-eat buffet for a hungry possum.
In addition to food, your yard may offer quiet shelter under decks, sheds, porches, or inside crawl spaces, ideal spots for a nocturnal animal looking to sleep undisturbed during the day. Overgrown vegetation and low-traffic areas make your property even more appealing as a safe, hidden hangout.
Is it bad to have a possum around your house?
Having a possum around isn’t always a disaster, they actually help control pests like ticks, snails, and insects, which can benefit your yard’s ecosystem. They’re generally non-aggressive and tend to avoid confrontation with humans and pets.
That said, they can still cause issues if they overstay their welcome. Possums may dig through garbage, steal pet food, leave droppings, or even die under your home and create foul odors. Their presence can also attract larger predators, especially if they’re nesting nearby.
How can you tell if a possum is living nearby?
You might hear them before you see them, possums are active at night and often make scratching, rustling, or thumping sounds, especially if they’ve taken shelter under your house or deck. They also tend to leave clues like overturned trash cans, scattered compost, or missing pet food.
Other signs include droppings, muddy paw prints, and frequent sightings in the same spot after dusk. If you regularly see a possum near your shed, porch, or crawl space, chances are it’s using your property as a temporary den or feeding zone.
What should you do if a possum won’t leave?
If a possum keeps hanging around, start by removing anything that’s keeping it there. Secure trash cans with tight lids, bring pet food indoors at night, clean up fallen fruit, and avoid leaving compost uncovered, these small steps can make your yard far less appealing.
Next, focus on sealing potential shelter spots. Block access to crawl spaces, close off openings under decks or sheds, and trim overgrown shrubs that offer hiding places. Possums don’t like being exposed or disturbed, so the more you disrupt their comfort zone, the less likely they’ll stick around.
When should you call a wildlife removal professional?
It’s time to call a professional if a possum has moved in under your home, shed, or porch and refuses to leave. Frequent sightings, foul odors, or pet confrontations are also red flags that the situation might be escalating beyond a simple nuisance.
Wildlife experts can safely trap and relocate the animal, identify how it got in, and seal off potential reentry points. They’ll also check for any property damage or nesting signs, ensuring your home stays possum-free without putting you, or the animal, at risk.
How AAAC Wildlife Removal handles possum problems
At AAAC Wildlife Removal, we take a humane, no-fuss approach to getting possums off your property for good. Our experts begin with a full inspection to locate entry points, assess damage, and determine if the possum is just passing through or has made itself at home.
From there, we use safe, effective trapping and relocation methods that follow all local wildlife regulations. We’ll also help seal off access points, clean up droppings or nesting material, and give you tips to prevent future visits, so you can enjoy your yard without late-night guests.
Here’s How You Keep Them Gone
When a possum hangs around your house, it’s not by accident, it’s found food, shelter, or both, and it’s likely to keep coming back unless something changes. Ignoring the issue can lead to property messes, health concerns, or worse, an uninvited resident under your home.
By removing attractants, sealing entry points, and calling in experts when needed, you can stop a curious visitor from becoming a long-term problem. AAAC Wildlife Removal is here to help you do just that; safely, effectively, and with no midnight surprises.
Don’t Let Possums Make Your Home Theirs
If a possum keeps popping up around your house, it’s time to call AAAC Wildlife Removal. Our team will safely remove the intruder, seal up its hideouts, and help you take back your space, no drama, no damage, no stink.
Reach out today and let us handle your possum problem the right way: fast, humane, and built to last.
