How Much Does Possum Removal Cost? [2026 Data]

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Cost Insights:
  • Professional possum removal costs $150 to $350 for your single animal project, with catch pole removal on the lower end.

  • The removal method and the number of return visits required to check your live traps will determine your final total.

  • Account for attic cleaning, electrician visits for chewed wires, and drywall repairs when you create your project budget.

  • Hiring a local handyman professional to seal entry points prevents possums from denning in your home and saves you removal costs.

In 2026, the national average possum removal cost is $250. Most homeowners pay between $150 and $350, with the final price driven by the removal method, the number of animals, and the extent of any damage they've caused. For a single possum removed with a catch pole, you may pay as little as $100, while trapping an entire family that has settled into your attic or crawl space can run as high as $600.

Possum Removal Cost Factors: What Determines the Price?

Several factors influence what you'll pay for professional possum removal, and understanding them helps you evaluate whether the quotes you receive are reasonable.

Number of Possums

Removing a single possum costs $100 to $250 for a site inspection and removal, and each additional possum on your property adds $50 to $100 to that total. Because possums aren't pack animals and mothers carry their young, encountering multiple possums at once is uncommon unless food sources are readily available. The table below outlines average possum removal costs based on the number of animals present:

Number of PossumsAverage Removal Cost in 2026
1$100–$250
2$150–$350
3$200–$450
4$300–$550

Number of Visits

The number of visits required for possum removal affects your total cost, with some professionals charging a flat rate of $150 to $350 regardless of how many return trips are needed. Others bill an initial base rate of $100 to $250, then add $50 to $100 per additional visit. The table below shows how possum removal costs vary based on the number of visits needed:

Number of VisitsAverage Cost in 2026
1$100–$250
2$150–$350
3$200–$450

Removal Method

Live trapping costs more than catch-pole removal because it requires at least one return visit to check the trap, whereas catch-pole removal allows a professional to complete the job in a single visit. Live traps must be checked every 24 hours, so if you can't monitor the trap yourself, the pro may need to make several trips before the possum is caught. Fortunately, possums are less trap-wary than many other wildlife species, so with the right setup and bait, the process typically resolves quickly.

Location and Accessibility

Accessibility issues can raise your possum removal costs, with surcharges applied when a pro must travel long distances to a rural property or work in hard-to-reach spaces like a crawl space or attic.

Emergency Call Out Fees

Requesting service on short notice or outside standard hours can add $100 more to your bill or even double the contractor's usual rate. Because possums carry a lower rabies risk than many other wildlife species, waiting a day or two for a standard appointment is generally safe unless the animal is behaving unusually aggressively.

Repairs

Possums can cause damage as they try to set up a home in your crawl space or attic. Some of the repair costs you could face include:

Dead Animals

Dead possum removal costs $50 to $150, and hiring a professional ensures the job is handled safely and hygienically, in compliance with state regulations on wildlife carcass disposal.

Possum Exclusion Costs: What to Budget For

possum fence installation
Carl Banks / Adobe Stock

Preventing possums from entering your property is more cost-effective in the long run than repeated removal, and several humane exclusion methods can help you accomplish that goal.

Fence Installation or Upgrade

Installing or upgrading a fence is one of the most effective ways to keep possums away from poultry and other pets, with the average cost to install a chain-link fence ranging from $1,300 to $3,500. For best results, the fence should stand at least 4 feet tall with the top 18 inches angled outward to prevent possums from climbing over.

Fence Repair

The average cost of fence repairs is $600, and addressing issues like missing slats or broken chicken wire is a practical investment that keeps out possums as well as other wildlife, such as foxes.

Landscaping Changes

Possums are agile climbers that can use overhanging branches and wall-climbing shrubbery to reach attics and chimneys, so trimming these access points is a worthwhile preventive step. The average cost of a yard cleanup service is $400, and clearing overgrown shrubs and clutter also removes the hiding spots that attract these shy animals in the first place.

Seal-Off Den Areas

Sealing gaps under decking, into crawl spaces, and around chimneys is one of the most direct ways to prevent possums from denning on your property, and it's a straightforward task for a handyperson near you to handle. The average cost to hire a handyperson is $400, making this an affordable and lasting solution.

Why You Should Hire a Possum Removal Pro

If you have a problematic possum, it's best to hire a local opossum removal pro. Not only will they know the best removal techniques—such as how to set up and empty a live trap—they'll also know local regulations for trapping and releasing wildlife. Trapped animals can be dangerous, and you may be uncomfortable dealing with this marsupial, so it's best left to a pro.

Here's why it's ideal to hire an animal control pro

The benefits of hiring a pro to handle possum removal include:

  • Possum removal experts will arrive equipped with the necessary equipment and traps to ensure a safe and effective removal process.

  • They will check the traps on a regular basis and remove trapped animals.

  • Experts can also use the catch-pole method to remove a possum from a confined area in your yard.

  • They can offer recommendations to seal off den areas as well as other exclusion methods.

  • Animal removal pros are aware of regulations for trapping and releasing wildlife in your area.

  • They're also skilled at safely removing dead animals should you come across one in your yard.

  • Possum removal professionals can access hard-to-reach areas, such as attics and chimneys, to remove possums and their nests.

If you want to DIY possum removal

DIYing possum removal isn't recommended, but you can do a few smaller tasks that will discourage them from coming into your yard:

  • Remove tempting food sources by cleaning up after eating outside and securing trash cans.

  • Seal up any areas around your house that a possum might enter—such as under a porch or near a crawl space.

  • Prevent possible entry points by installing or repairing fencing around your home.

  • Remove shrubs or vines near your home to discourage possums from climbing into your attic or chimney.

Angi Tip

Trapped animals can be dangerous, no matter their size. Do not attempt to handle them—call in a pro for safe removal instead.

Cost of Common Possum Removal Add-Ons

If you're already scheduling possum removal and notice signs of other nuisance animals like rats or groundhogs, bundling those services with a single wildlife control specialist is a smart move. Professionals often offer discounts when treating multiple animals in a single visit, which can reduce your overall cost.

How to Reduce Costs While Removing Possums

The DIY route isn't the only way to save money. Consider the following budget-friendly strategies to reduce possum removal costs.

  • Get at least three quotes : Contact multiple reputable contractors rather than opting for the first one that gets back to you.

  • Pick a pro with experience : A pest removal company that doesn't have solid experience in possum removal might not trap the animal as quickly or effectively as one specializing in this type of service.

  • Trap yourself : If you can borrow and set up a trap, some professionals will handle the removal part for a reduced rate.

  • Focus on exclusion : If these critters can't get into your yard or home to den there, you're less likely to have to budget for possum removal costs.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
  • Ask how long it takes for your pro to remove a possum and whether you need to be present when they come to check the traps.

  • Discuss their recommendations for keeping possums out of your yard if they’re becoming a problem.

  • Be prepared to describe where you think the possum is entering your yard or house.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

You might consider possum removal if the animal is feuding with your pets, threatening your livestock, denning in your attic or chimney, or acting unusually aggressive. However, it’s easy to block them from reentering den spaces, and if you make your yard a less attractive place for possums, they rarely cause problems when passing through.

In most states, relocating a possum without a permit is illegal. This is because the possum is at an increased risk of spreading disease, being injured, or dying when released in a habitat it is not familiar with. After live trapping a possum, re-releasing it in your neighborhood while taking steps to exclude it from your property, or humane euthanization are the primary options.

If you’re an animal lover and want to support biodiversity, consider letting a possum live peacefully in your yard. Possums rarely contract rabies or behave aggressively, and they can keep problematic rat, mouse, cockroach, slug, snail, and tick populations down. You might just want to make some modifications to prevent them from making a home in your attic, chimney, or crawl spaces.

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