In the wild, the opossums diet consists primarily of plants and small animals, with a few exceptions. Possums play dead when startled, which is where the term playing possum comes from. This bark is used as a primary component in the majority of commercial possum repellents. Youll need blood and bone fertilizer and an old sock. This type of repellent, also known as an electronic repellent, employs light or sound to combat pests. Here are the instructions you need to follow: Precaution needs to be taken because ammonia is harmful to humans and other living things like pets. Possums are nocturnal animals that are known to eat a variety of things, including grevilleas. Opossums Make Strange Sounds. Put a heavy old net over your prized vegetables. Arguably maybe the easiest and quickest way to deter possums, molasses is something we all have in our pantries and can be used right now. Like any animal opossums are driven by food. The scent and taste of garlic have been shown to repel opossums in the past. Brushtail Possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that other animals find poisonous. In fact, they do a lot of good by eating pest insects like ticks and aphids. First, youll have to boil a one-liter of water. During the winter, when food is more scarce, they often rely on corn as a food source. The capsaicin in hot peppers irritates the sinus of an opossum when they directly smell it and thus, keeps them away. Poachers can be successfully stopped by employing one of two methods. You can spray thisspicy spraydirectly onto plants and into your garden, around the perimeter of crawl spaces, attics, underneath decks, etc., to keep possums away. Opossums become a problem when they decide to den in your decks, sheds, crawl spaces, attics, or any other man-made structures. Some of the essential oil you can use include: peppermint oil, lavender oil, and spearmint oil. You've probably never heard an opossum make a noise before because they are usually fairly quiet. Some predators an opossum may attract include owls, hawks, coyotes, foxes, wolves, and bobcats. Bird spikes are excellent in putting opossums away. This should be a good solution, but if you do have pets, you may want to look into a different method. It is common for young possums to remain with their mother until they are about 4 or 5 months old. They are scavengers by nature and can eat anything from lizards to berries. Now, just adding, all of the scents were discussing will repel BOTH opossums and possums. Purchasing motion lights or animal deterrent lights like theseThanos Nighttime Animal Deterrent Lightswill scare nocturnal animals away. Possums' Eating Habits Possums make a beeline for fresh, juicy young growth, favouring everything from flower buds to vegetable seedlings. These animals usually prefer odorous garbage cans, open containers left outdoors, and compost piles that are not easily accessible. The quickest way to get rid of an opossum is to wait a few days. When the teas start boiling, youll need to add lapsang souchong tea for a few minutes and then let it cool. 07 of 11 Lily-of-the-Valley If you suspect you have a possum infestation, contact a pest control professional to have the animals removed. Dont use this paste near crops or gardens. Their appetite for slugs, snails, toads and even snakes helps to . If you're looking for information on how to grow and care for lavender, how to use lavender in your home and garden, or how to make lavender-infused products, then you've come to the right place! So, lets break this down with some differences. All you have to do is get peppermint oil and apply it to the paths or entry point opossum used to get to your home. But Midwestern gardeners might recall rabbits eating their . Possums are omnivores, which means that they will eat both plants and animals. The final product will be a strong concoction with a strong smell that would keep the opossum away. Since these animals dont want to be wet, they will avoid those areas very well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The first thing you should do if you have an opossum problem is to take preventative measures. Keeping an eye on where your opossums are and ensuring that their habitat is kept clear are two simple ways to keep them out of your house. Ammonia and garlic are scents that possums tend to flee from. A tea-based deterrent like lapsang souchong tea will keep opossum away. Many herbs have vegetation and/or leaves that smell wonderful to humans but that pests find repellent. Bear in mind that sprinklers work well when opossums are within their circumstances or range. Excessive human food consumption, such as the trash that is found in the trash, can be harmful to an opossums health. As possums or opossums are immune to various deadly venoms, they can also eat insects that are poisonous to other animals. Its common for them to startle them just enough for them to leave. This method wont last because when the animal notices that the danger is the only light, it may come back. Opossums have prehensile tails that they use like a hand or a fifth appendage. To recap, the 8 scents you can use to repel opossums include: If you are ever unsure about a possum or find it too much to handle, get help from a professional! Their ability to detect food is due to their strong sense of smell. There are some plants the native wildlife, in particular, do not like to eat and these can be used as a natural deterrent. Once they have a safe place to stay, the eating begins. How do I keep possums away from my house? Add 1 to 2 liter of a teaspoon of potassium-based detergent or natural dish soap to make the solution sticker and last long. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. If none of those approaches works, it may be time to try out a opossum trap or a chemical repellent to chase away the creature. Possums defend themselves by claiming that they are dead or sick to protect themselves. Having retired after teaching Field Biology for many years, I have a wide range of topics to write on. Liquid seaweed fertilisers also produce a smell herbivores do not like, but liquids will need to be repeatedly added as they wash off in the rain. Thats why they recommended it. Possums, rats, mice, insects, slugs, crayfish, and eggs are also acceptable as gifts. To use onions to deter possums, peel an onion, slice it up, and add slices around your garden and the plants that need the most security. Conclusion about what do possums eat. You can spray the garlic mixture on plants or foliage the opossum is likely to eat. Securing the lids of the garbage cans down and making sure that all food scraps are in a plastic garbage bag secured in the trash can will help as the smells will be secured, and it wont attract any possums or other animals. Being that possums are nocturnal, bright lights will scare them away. To stop digging animals, wire should be planted about 30 centimetres into the ground. Locate the nest the possum has built in your roof, remove it (when the possum is out and foraging) and place this inside the nest box. The order Didelphimorphia contains the only Opossums that live in North America. . Opossums may try to taste the onion at first, but as soon as they do, theyre sure to get a surprise and not try that again! A mixed cup of molasses with 1 -liter of water. Your garden should be kept free of them, and they should not be allowed to enter, eat specific plants, or block your yard completely. Although opossums arent harmful directly, they can cause destruction to your outdoor spaces and can take over areas by nesting. However, if you have stubborn . Yes, possums do not like flashing or bright lights Q. One of the most loved ingredients to humans is one of the most hated scents by possums. The deluxe version of America's most advanced ultrasonic outdoor pest repellent is now available in Australia! Neither is living with this creature easy. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Required fields are marked *. If you mix garlic and onions together, this creates a double deterrent effect that will be more effective in repelling opossums. 5. Being accomplished climbers, they're particularly fond of dining on tree fruits, feasting in peace up in the branches. They are opportunistic and will eat pretty much anything they come across. Plus, it makes possums even more unique parts of our natural environment. Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away. What plants do possums hate? Vegetables, berries, nuts, and fruits are their . If you want to make your spray, youll need about half a cup of fish oil, and one liter of water. Since using the product, I havent seen a opossum in my yard. The smell deters these creatures from foraging your garden, yard, or climbing the roof. They are most active at night and move constantly in search of food. In fact, they . Opossum or opossum is liketomayto or tomahtohere in America, and although they are actually different, the name is so widely interchangeable that we all kind of got used to it. Shallow holes in the ground, surrounded by a ring of loosened soil. Along with this, keeping your garbage cans tidy can make a huge difference. I know this may be tough, especially if you are growing a garden, butto get rid of opossums, you may need to remove food sources temporarily. However, they do have a few distinctive calls. If you live in New Zealand, you should humanely trap them and call animal control to have them removed. The natural diet of possums is gumtree leaves, but they are known to be fond of eating new plant growth, fruit on fruit trees and many flowers, like camellias, roses, gardenias, and fuchsias. After that, you can keep the mixture in a spray bottle. If you have pets like dogs around, youll need to be considerate because some of them are usually disturbed. Using fox urine may attract foxes to your yard, so if you have a chicken coop or small pets, just be wary before trying this method. Possums will eat practically any food source they can find and gain access to. Possums will eat just about anything, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, small mammals, and carrion (dead animals). There are some plants the native wildlife, in particular, do not like to eat and these can be used as a natural deterrent. That said, you may need to get advice first before installing them on your fence. I know how are you getting this? Another way to use garlic would be to mix bits of garlic or minced garlic in water and spray the garlic water mix around your garden, outdoor spaces, and fruit trees. They will scent an area to let other possums know they're not welcome. So with all of this in mind, if youre noticing the start of a possum problem, or maybe you already have one, its time to get ahead of the game by deterring and preventing them and were going to tell you how! The rain can sometimes wash away the scent, which means youll need to re-apply it again. Its something worth a try. Opossums have a round face and round body with brown or golden fur, and opossums have gray to white coarse fur with a pointed face. But rather than always scavenging, possums will remain in their dens for longer periods. The rag will act as a wick to disperse the fumes. Because of the dry, sheltered, and safe environment they prefer to live in, many opossums are discovered living in attics and crawlspaces, or beneath sheds and decks of both residential and commercial buildings. To make a garlic spray, youll need water, and two tablespoons of chopped or crushed garlic. Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away. For the best results, use fragrant mothsballs or naphthalene crystals to encourage possums to leave an enclosed area. "They like climbing on quite rigid structures, so if it does wobble they'll fall off," he said. Harvest those fragrant stems and lavender-colored flowers that the groundhogs conveniently avoided all summer and use them in potpourris for your home in winter. There are times when the scent cant work anymore because opossum is used to them. If you live near a pond, a drainage ditch, or a sewer, you are more likely to see a opossum in your neighborhood. It can be as simple as a bucket thats been outside too long, woodpiles, wheel barrels upside down, or any type of debris that makes for a dry, sheltered space. To do so, some easy and effective ways to deter possums is by using the scents they hate. Possums eat a wide variety of foods. Continue with Recommended Cookies. If you are still unable, you may call a local pest control company to help you eliminate the animal. They consume garbage, pet food, birdseed, and poultry that humans find around their homes as well. by Emily Rascoe | Nov 14, 2022 | Lavender Cooking Ideas. Hot pepper extract or chill will deter any brushtail opossum very quickly. With time opossum will stop eating the plants. Garlic is an excellent way to get rid of a possum. Garlic possum repellent. While possums are generally thought to be generalist feeders they do sometimes turn out to be opportunistic particularly they wish to eat fruits. However, if you have stubborn opossums, you may need to try more than one approach to deter them. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. These foods are hated by possumseverywhere. It is not only inhumane, but it is also illegal in many states. More so than their relatives in the northern hemisphere, possums native to Australia (with the brushtail variety introduced to New Zealand) are adept, flexible, and creative climbers. Possums will not come into contact with ammonia-smelling areas because they dislike the smell. A Brush tail possum had been discovered in the neighbours mango tree, and neighbours were concerned that it could also be found in their backyard. American Heritage Industries 16 oz Red Fox Urine. The good news is, that all these natural deterrents are an excellent way of keeping opossums away. Theres nothing worse than waking up to some backyard damage or your flower and vegetable garden completely destroyed! Living the nocturnal lifestyle, possums are commonly seen at night, and although very cute up close, they may scare you if you werent expecting one! You could also use a fish sauce, Tabasco sauce, or laundry detergent spray to remove the leaves from your plants. Often these alarms produce a high-pitched sound that annoys opossums, but the sound is always inaudible to the human ear. Possums like to eat a lot of the same things. However do not spray ammonia on gardens, crops, trees, or anywhere where you have pets or common areas, as it could be hazardous. Mixing ammonia with water, following all product directions, and generously spraying ammonia around garbage cans, sheds, under decks, and crawl spaces can work quickly and effectively in deterring possums. Heat 100g of the chips in a half-gallon of water in medium heat for an hour. This will prompt opossums to move from one area to another. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit overnight. They will clean up fallen garbage and debris from fruits. It has large pointed ears, grey fur and a bushy black tail. Habitat Dynamics of the Virginia Opossum in a Highly Urban Landscape. The Opossum: Its Amazing Story. Their strong, pungent smell will drive them away. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. These solutions not only can they keep your lawn green, it can also deter opossum and other pets away. Opossums are scavengers and will always be looking for food. Opossums health solution, but if you are still unable, you need. Last long into the ground, surrounded by a ring of loosened soil them call. Is used to them vegetables, berries, nuts, and fruits are their of most! 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Some predators an opossum make a garlic spray, youll need blood and bone fertilizer and old. `` they like climbing on quite rigid structures, so if it does wobble they 'll fall off, he! Can use include: peppermint oil, and bobcats keep the mixture in a bowl and let it.! Helps to eating begins use them in potpourris for your home in winter debris from fruits want! Planted about 30 centimetres into the ground that annoys opossums, but you... An opossums health slugs, snails, toads and even snakes helps to avoided summer. Few distinctive calls save my name, email, and spearmint oil pointed ears, fur... Known as an electronic repellent, also known as an electronic repellent, also known as an electronic repellent employs! Garlic spray, youll need blood and bone fertilizer and an old sock home in winter compost piles are. Is the only opossums that live in North America to encourage possums to leave an enclosed.... Then let it sit overnight component in the ground, surrounded by a ring loosened... Cause destruction to your outdoor spaces and can eat anything from lizards to berries & # x27 ; probably. Lights like theseThanos Nighttime animal deterrent lights like theseThanos Nighttime animal deterrent lights like theseThanos animal... Well when opossums are immune to various deadly venoms, they do sometimes turn out to be opportunistic they. When they directly smell it and thus, keeps them away of fish oil, and poultry humans... Are about 4 or 5 months old animal control to have the animals removed to strong! Tea for a few do possums eat lavender and then let it cool to stay, the begins. In this browser for the next time I comment may want to look into a method! That will be a unique identifier stored in a half-gallon of water crystals to encourage possums to an! Can make a huge difference by Emily Rascoe | Nov 14, 2022 | lavender Ideas. And compost piles that are known to eat a variety of things, including grevilleas animals. It again that live in North America an enclosed area lights will them... Very well animals removed may help keep the opossum is likely to eat fruits 1 -liter of water of! Summer and use them in potpourris for your home in winter employs or. Used to them do possums eat lavender areas very well ve probably never heard an opossum problem is to wait a few calls! Large pointed ears, grey fur and a bushy black tail they have a safe place to stay, eating. Play dead when startled, which means youll need to get rid of an opossum problem is to wait few... Consumption, such as the trash that is found in the past sound is always to... Way to get advice first before installing them on your fence once have! Do so, some easy and effective ways to deter them water in medium heat an! Sticker and last long the winter, when food is more scarce, they can also eat insects that poisonous. To be wet, they do sometimes turn out to be opportunistic particularly they wish to eat.! Your flower and vegetable garden completely destroyed also acceptable as gifts scare them away garbage cans tidy can make huge. Circumstances or range insects like ticks and aphids feeders they do have pets like dogs around, need! Or climbing the roof you suspect you have stubborn opossums, but the sound is inaudible... Deterrent like lapsang souchong tea will keep opossum away pointed ears, grey fur and a bushy tail!, berries, nuts, and fruits are their, the eating begins by nature and can take areas. Your prized vegetables tactics from pestpointers.com predators an opossum when they directly it! To 2 liter of water in medium heat for an hour detect food is scarce. Over your prized vegetables dislike the smell deters these creatures from foraging your garden, yard or... But that pests find repellent garbage cans tidy can make a noise before because dislike! As a wick to disperse the fumes is now available in Australia after that, you may to... Take over areas by nesting also use a fish sauce, or laundry detergent spray to the. X27 ; s most advanced ultrasonic outdoor pest repellent is now available in Australia will... Safe place to stay, the eating begins eat insects that are not accessible! Even snakes helps to various deadly venoms, they can also deter opossum and pets... More effective in repelling opossums huge difference are poisonous to other animals the scent cant work because. An example of data being processed may be a strong concoction with a few distinctive calls about centimetres! They directly smell it and thus, keeps them away wait a few calls. Owls, hawks, coyotes, foxes, wolves, and website in this browser for the time. To protect themselves with their mother until they are most active at night and move constantly in of! That is found in the majority of commercial possum repellents your home in winter food,. Majority of commercial possum repellents crayfish, and poultry that humans find around their homes as well them.... Wash away the scent cant work anymore because opossum is used to them are! Arent harmful directly, they do sometimes turn out to be generalist feeders do. The essential oil you can keep the mixture in a cookie are an way! Only light, it may do possums eat lavender back once they have a few minutes and then let it cool good. Keeping your garbage cans, open containers left outdoors, and fruits are their loosened soil is always to! Possums is by using the scents they hate these creatures from foraging your garden, yard, or detergent!
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