Opossums, the only marsupials that live in North America, are commonly seen roaming around Tampa 
neighborhoods in search of food and shelter. While opossums aren’t aggressive creatures (most try and avoid humans and pets), they are considered a nuisance because of the damage they cause inside of homes and on properties. The best method for opossum control is prevention, but if you’re currently dealing with wildlife issues, call the experts at Critter Control® of Tampa.
What Attracts Opossums
Known to be opportunistic omnivores, opossums eat a wide range of things including plants, insects, worms, snakes, lizards, rodents, fruits, vegetables, and carrion. You will often find them feeding on the trash in your garbage cans and scraps from your compost pile as well as pet food left outside.
Opossums do not dig their own burrows but will move into ones left behind by other animals. They also live in tree cavities, rock crevices, and brush piles, but will den under decks, sheds, and homes, and in attics and garages. To keep safe from predators and birth their young, opossums will look for easy access inside homes through holes and other entry points.
Prevention is Key
Neither destructive nor strong, opossums enter where openings already exist. Therefore it’s essential you check your home frequently to be aware of any maintenance repairs that need to be performed. Other control methods you can implement include:
- Cleaning up any fallen fruit and compost scraps
- Securing trashcan lids or leaving garbage cans inside until the day of pick up
- Bringing in pet food dishes at night
- Trimming tree branches that are near your roof
- Setting up motion-detecting lights
- Installing a fence
Call the Professionals
If you’re having opossum issues on your property, give us a call at 813-948-0870. Upon arriving at your home, a trained technician will start by asking you questions regarding your animal problems. They will then perform a free inspection of the exterior and interior of your home as well as do a thorough examination of your yard to see how the opossums are getting in and what sources may be attracting them. From there, they will safely and humanely remove the critters, clean up any messes, and repair any damages. Critter Control® of Tampa has over 30 years of experience in animal control and will ensure both your family and the animals are kept safe during the entire removal process.
