Adult opossums are about the size of a large cat. They have long, light gray hair with a scaly tail of approximately 12 inches. Typically, the opossum prefers to establish a home within existing structures like hollow logs, garages, under buildings, inside burrows, and even squirrels’ nests in trees. It likes establishing residence close to a food source for an easy commute. The opossum is an omnivore, so it’s not picky. Just about anything the marsupial can find to consume will make for a meal – fruits, grass, insects, mammals, birds, fish, and carrion. They are known to damage lawns, too, when digging for grubs.

Opossums are not community creatures. Typically, they reproduce one time per year but can have two litters resulting in about 7 offspring each. The count can go as high as 13 in a litter, though. Gestation lasts only 13 days, and newborns are only the size of small bumble bees and partially developed. The young will nurse in the mother’s pouch for the next three months as they further develop and mature.

The most effective way to eliminate or prevent an infestation by opossums is through exclusionary techniques. Make sure that there are no holes, cracks, or damage of any type where an opossum could access permanent structures like garage, house, basement, barn, storage shed, etc. Prior to installing a method of closure, inspect the premises for infestation. Live catch traps are effective. Foods like fish, canned dog food, and canned cat food are excellent baits. Placement outside the den will allow the best chance of capture. Check traps each morning and evening. Once captured, the opossum can be relocated a few miles away without worry of return. Before taking control measures, check local regulations as opossums might be protected. If you aren’t sure of the infesting pest or that you can humanely capture it, we always recommend contacting a pest control professional for an evaluation.