Just remember, they’d rather play dead than put up a fight
Trapping a possum requires understanding local wildlife laws, as many areas need permits for removal and prohibit relocating possums without proper authorization.
Professional possum removal costs $150 to $350, and hiring help keeps you safe from potential bites, scratches, and diseases these animals carry.
Your best trap setup includes a cage-style live trap placed near activity signs like tracks or droppings, baited with strong-smelling foods like canned fish.
Hiring a local opossum removal professional removes the guesswork from legal removal and helps prevent future possum visits by sealing entry points around your home.
Possums are primarily nocturnal creatures that can be both helpful and a nuisance. They are excellent at controlling rodent and insect populations but notorious for raiding garbage cans and chewing up gardens. And let's not forget their sharp claws, enabling them to climb and wreak havoc on your home's siding and shingles. One solution for managing an infestation is knowing how to trap a possum humanely.
Before attempting to get rid of possums, check your state's wildlife laws. In many areas, removal is only allowed if they are causing property damage, and you may need a permit. Also, transporting and releasing possums is illegal in many municipalities. That's why, in many instances, it's best to call a possum removal expert who understands local guidelines.
The best capture method is a cage-style live trap, 32 to 42 inches long, designed to safely trap and hold the possum without causing injury. When handling the trap after capture, protective gear is a must to protect hands, arms, and legs from potential bites or scratches.
The best time to set possum traps is just before dusk. Since possums are active at night, this will increase your chances of catching them as they search for food.
These creatures are relatively easy to trap because they aren't very cautious. To determine where to place possum traps, look for signs of activity, such as tracks, droppings, disturbed trash, or claw marks.
Possums often stick to certain paths along fences or walls and like dark, quiet spots like sheds or crawl spaces. Setting traps near these areas or close to food sources like gardens or compost piles will increase your chances of catching one.
Possums love strong-smelling foods. Due to their pungent odor, canned fish like mackerel, slightly spoiled meat, and rotten eggs are great options. Sweet treats like marshmallows, apples, bananas, or berries also work well.
Possums are especially attracted to unusual scents—anything new or interesting will prompt them to investigate. This makes trying unusual types of possum bait, like aniseed dip or oil, highly effective.
Place the bait at the far end of the trap to ensure the possum has to enter completely to reach it. That way, the trap won’t trigger too early, which can lead to escape or, worse, injury to the animal.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the trap is properly secured. Possums weigh 4 to 6 pounds but can be as heavy as 10. Anchoring the trap with a stake or a heavy object is an excellent way to stop the cage from tipping over if the possum struggles, preventing harm or escape.
Visit the trap at least once every 12 hours. If you have an extensive property, local guidelines may require that your trap has a label sharing your name, address, and permit number.
We don’t recommend DIYing this step. Safety is key when handling a trapped possum, so ensure anyone approaching the trap is wearing protective gear and using caution to avoid scaring the animal more than necessary.
Keep children and pets at a safe distance to avoid any potential mishaps. If you need to move the trap, hold it at arm's length so the possum's claws don't grab onto you. Draping a cloth over the cage can calm the possum during the process.
Relocating and releasing possums is illegal in many areas. However, in some states, it is legal for homeowners to euthanize these animals humanely, depending on the time of year.
Many homeowners who opt for DIY capture call an animal control expert for legal removal. Also, remember possums can play dead. You may think an animal died after capture, and then they wake, potentially complicating removal for inexperienced homeowners. It’s best to hire a professional at this stage.
Your decision ultimately relies on your comfort level and understanding of local wildlife laws. DIY trapping can be effective and inexpensive if you are up to speed on guidelines and humane methods and already own the equipment. However, it requires careful attention to detail, such as ensuring the possum's safety, checking traps regularly, and following legal guidelines for removal.
On the other hand, opting for professional possum removal takes the guesswork out of the process. These wildlife experts are trained to handle animals humanely and can navigate the legalities of the process, justifying the possum removal cost. They can also identify and address any entry points or attractants on your property, helping to prevent future issues.
One of my old tall evergreen trees was suddenly leaning toward the busy street in front of my house. I submitted a request for an emergency tree inspection, and Alejandro, owner of Cajete Tree Service, contacted me immediately and arrived to look at it just 20 minutes later. We agreed the...
Cajete Tree Service LLCWonderful. I am going to have them remove and replace my driveway in the spring.
All Star Paving and SealingLyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle EnvironmentalInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCExtremely well. Ohio Tree Care is my go to company for all tree care and snow removal services. they are professional, knowledgeable and affordable. I manage five camps in 33 counties and Ohio Tree Care has serviced every one of our properties. Highly recommend.
Ohio Tree Care IncA team of 2 spent 5 hours, cleaning top to bottom (removed all light fixture and cleaned.... impressive!!!)
Luzia's CleaningI would have given an "A" rating were it not for the devil being in the details. 1. The van rear doors, when open, expose the track area and that had not been cleaned. Noticeable only when you look for it and then it's obvious. 2. Was able to get 99.5% of the dog hair out of the cargo area...
614 DetailGreat Job!!! Martin called me after I requested a estimate on Home Advisor. He was very professional and actually went the same day and looked at the tree I needed removed gave us a estimate and I felt it was very aggressive so I did not even call for any other bids. I asked him how soon he...
Reyes Tree Service LLC - Home FacebookMike and his crew did a great job working through a very challenging task. The job required a full demolition of our ceiling, removing the blown in insulation and removing all the material from the site daily. It involved multiple inspections from the city and many challenges to get the...
Rising Height UnlimitedRemoved various items (furniture, lamps, other junk) from my home. They were on time, personable, professional, etc. I can't say enough positive things about this company. <br />
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
When budgeting for possum removal costs, consider number of animals, location, method of removal, and whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.
When calculating wildlife removal costs, you’ll need to consider the type, size, and amount of animals. Our guide will show you the wildlife removal cost.
You don’t always have to call in the pros. This guide helps you learn how to get rid of possums humanely and keep them away from your home and yard.
Learn what the best baits for opossum traps are to help you remove a nuisance individual that is causing problems in your home or yard.
We’ve outlined how to trap armadillos to increase your chances of success with this tricky task and help you know when to hire a pro.
When you need to know who to call for possum removal, these are the best wildlife removal professionals who can do the job humanely and legally.
