Opossums, often misunderstood and unfairly maligned, are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystems. They are nature’s pest control, consuming insects, snails, rodents, and even snakes. Attracting them to your yard can benefit your garden and provide you with a unique opportunity to observe these nocturnal animals. This guide will provide detailed strategies for safely and ethically attracting opossums to your property.
Understanding Opossums: Nature’s Sanitation Workers
Before you begin attracting opossums, it’s essential to understand their behavior, needs, and the benefits they bring. Opossums are North America’s only marsupial, meaning they carry their young in a pouch. They are primarily nocturnal, solitary animals, and have a relatively short lifespan of about two years in the wild.
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods. This includes insects, fruits, berries, nuts, grains, eggs, and even carrion. They are also known to eat ticks, making them valuable allies in controlling tick populations and reducing the risk of Lyme disease. Their diet contributes to maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem in your yard.
Opossums are not aggressive animals. When threatened, they may hiss, show their teeth, or “play possum,” feigning death to deter predators. They are generally shy and prefer to avoid confrontation. Understanding these behaviors will help you create a welcoming and safe environment for them.
Creating an Inviting Habitat for Opossums
Attracting opossums to your yard involves creating a habitat that meets their basic needs: food, water, and shelter. By providing these elements, you can encourage them to visit and even establish a den on your property.
Providing a Reliable Food Source
Opossums are not picky eaters, but providing a consistent food source will increase the likelihood of them visiting your yard. You don’t need to put out large amounts of food; small, supplemental offerings are sufficient.
Consider leaving out small portions of fruits, such as apples, bananas, grapes, or berries. Vegetables like corn, peas, and carrots can also be attractive. Dry or wet cat food can be offered in small amounts, but be mindful of attracting unwanted animals like raccoons or cats.
Avoid feeding opossums bread, milk, or sugary foods, as these offer little nutritional value and can be harmful. It’s also crucial to avoid leaving out large quantities of food, as this can attract unwanted pests like rats and mice.
Make sure to place the food in a location that is easily accessible to opossums but away from pets or children. A shallow dish or a platform feeder can be used. Regularly clean the feeding area to prevent the buildup of bacteria and the spread of disease.
Supplying a Water Source
Access to fresh water is essential for all wildlife, including opossums. Providing a reliable water source, especially during dry periods, will make your yard more attractive to them.
A shallow dish or birdbath filled with water is ideal. Make sure the water is clean and fresh, and refill it regularly. You can also provide a small pond or water feature if you have the space and resources.
Place the water source near a sheltered area, such as bushes or trees, to provide opossums with a sense of security while they drink. Avoid using deep containers that opossums could fall into and drown.
Offering Safe and Secure Shelter
Opossums need shelter to rest, escape predators, and raise their young. Providing suitable shelter will significantly increase the chances of them making your yard their home.
Consider building or providing a ready-made opossum den. These can be simple wooden boxes with an entrance hole, placed in a sheltered location such as under a deck, shed, or in a dense thicket of shrubs. The dimensions of the box should be roughly 24x18x12 inches, with an entrance hole of about 4-5 inches in diameter.
Leave leaf litter and brush piles in undisturbed areas of your yard. These provide natural shelter and nesting materials for opossums. Avoid removing fallen logs or branches, as these can also serve as shelter.
If you have trees in your yard, consider leaving dead limbs or hollows in place, as these can provide natural den sites. However, ensure that the dead limbs are not a safety hazard.
Protecting Opossums from Harm
Attracting opossums to your yard comes with the responsibility of protecting them from harm. There are several steps you can take to ensure their safety and well-being.
Keeping Pets Under Control
Domestic pets, especially dogs, can pose a threat to opossums. Keep your dogs leashed or confined to a fenced area, especially at night when opossums are most active. Train your dogs to leave wildlife alone.
Cats can also pose a threat to young or injured opossums. Keep your cats indoors, especially at night. Ensure your cats are vaccinated and up-to-date on their flea and worming treatments to reduce the risk of transmitting diseases to opossums.
Reducing the Use of Pesticides and Herbicides
Pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to opossums and other wildlife. Avoid using these chemicals in your yard, or use them sparingly and follow the instructions carefully.
Consider using natural pest control methods instead, such as introducing beneficial insects or using organic gardening techniques. These methods are safer for opossums and the environment.
Securing Trash Cans
Opossums are attracted to trash cans as a source of food. Secure your trash cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent them from accessing the contents. You can also use bungee cords or straps to further secure the lids.
Store trash cans in a garage or shed if possible. If you must keep them outdoors, place them in a location where opossums cannot easily access them. Regularly clean your trash cans to reduce odors and deter opossums.
Providing Escape Routes
If you have a fenced yard, make sure there are escape routes for opossums. This can be as simple as leaving a small opening in the fence or providing a ramp or steps to help them climb over.
Opossums are not good climbers, so they may struggle to get out of a fenced yard. Providing escape routes will prevent them from becoming trapped and vulnerable to predators.
Being Mindful of Vehicle Traffic
Opossums are often killed by vehicles while crossing roads. Be mindful of opossums when driving at night, especially in areas where they are known to be present. Slow down and give them time to cross the road.
Consider installing wildlife crossings or signage to alert drivers to the presence of opossums. Educate your neighbors about the importance of protecting opossums and other wildlife.
Addressing Potential Concerns
While opossums are beneficial animals, some people may have concerns about attracting them to their yards. It’s important to address these concerns and provide information to help people understand the benefits of having opossums around.
Addressing the “Playing Possum” Myth
The “playing possum” behavior is often misunderstood. Opossums do not consciously choose to feign death. This is an involuntary response to extreme stress or fear, similar to fainting.
When an opossum “plays possum,” it becomes stiff, drools, and emits a foul odor. This makes it appear dead, which can deter predators. The opossum is actually in a semi-comatose state and may remain in this condition for several minutes or even hours.
It’s important to understand that this behavior is a defense mechanism and not a sign of aggression. If you encounter an opossum playing possum, simply leave it alone and it will eventually recover and move on.
Managing Odor Concerns
Opossums are generally clean animals and do not produce a strong odor. However, if you have a large number of opossums visiting your yard, you may notice a slight musky smell.
To minimize odor concerns, regularly clean the feeding and watering areas. Remove any uneaten food and disinfect the surfaces. You can also use a mild odor eliminator if necessary.
Ensure that your trash cans are securely covered and that you are not leaving out large amounts of food that could attract opossums in excessive numbers.
Preventing Property Damage
Opossums are not known for causing significant property damage. However, they may occasionally dig in gardens or overturn trash cans in search of food.
To prevent property damage, protect your garden with fencing or netting. Secure your trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Avoid leaving out large amounts of food that could attract opossums.
If you are experiencing property damage from opossums, consider contacting a wildlife control professional for advice.
Observing Opossums Respectfully
Once you have attracted opossums to your yard, it’s important to observe them respectfully and avoid disturbing their natural behavior.
Avoid approaching or handling opossums. They are wild animals and should be left alone. Observe them from a distance using binoculars or a spotting scope.
Do not shine bright lights on opossums, as this can startle and disorient them. Use a red-light flashlight if you need to see them at night. Red light is less disruptive to their vision.
Avoid making loud noises or sudden movements that could scare opossums. Speak in a calm and quiet voice.
Enjoy the opportunity to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Learn about their behavior and appreciate the important role they play in our ecosystems.
Attracting opossums to your yard is a rewarding experience that can benefit your garden and provide you with a unique opportunity to observe these fascinating animals. By providing food, water, and shelter, and by protecting them from harm, you can create a welcoming and safe environment for opossums to thrive. Remember to observe them respectfully and appreciate the important role they play in our ecosystems.
Why would I want to attract opossums to my yard?
Opossums, often misunderstood, are actually beneficial to have around. They are nature’s garbage disposals, consuming a wide variety of pests like insects, rodents, and even snakes. Their scavenging habits help control populations of unwanted critters, contributing to a healthier and more balanced ecosystem in your backyard.
Attracting opossums can also reduce the risk of Lyme disease. They are highly effective tick consumers, grooming themselves meticulously and ingesting thousands of ticks each season. By keeping tick populations in check, opossums play a significant role in limiting the spread of this debilitating disease, making your yard safer for you, your family, and your pets.
What kind of food should I offer to attract opossums?
Opossums are omnivores and opportunistic eaters, so they aren’t particularly picky. You can attract them with a variety of food options, including fruits like apples, berries, and bananas, as well as vegetables such as corn and squash. Dry or wet cat or dog food can also be appealing, but be mindful of attracting other animals as well.
Avoid offering them exclusively meat-based diets, as opossums require a balanced intake of nutrients. Small amounts of unsalted nuts and seeds can be offered as treats, but be cautious about overfeeding, which can lead to dependency. It’s important to provide a consistent but not excessive food supply to encourage them to visit your yard regularly without becoming overly reliant on you.
Where should I place food to attract opossums?
The ideal placement for opossum food is in a sheltered area, away from direct sunlight and heavy rain. Consider placing the food near a fence line, under a bush, or near a shed to provide some cover and security for the opossums while they eat. This also helps protect the food from the elements and keeps it fresher for longer.
Avoid placing food directly on your lawn, as this can attract other unwanted animals like rodents and raccoons. Using a shallow dish or platform placed a few inches off the ground can help keep the food clean and accessible for the opossums while minimizing the mess. Regularly clean the feeding area to prevent the buildup of bacteria and to discourage other pests.
What kind of shelter can I provide for opossums?
Opossums prefer dark, quiet, and secure places to rest and nest. You can provide shelter by leaving brush piles in a corner of your yard, allowing them to find refuge among the branches and leaves. A simple lean-to constructed from planks of wood can also offer a protected space from the elements and potential predators.
Another option is to build or purchase a simple opossum house. This can be a wooden box with a hole large enough for an opossum to enter, but small enough to deter larger animals. Place the house in a sheltered location, such as under a deck or in a wooded area, and fill it with dry leaves or straw for bedding.
Are there any potential downsides to attracting opossums?
While opossums are generally beneficial, there are some potential downsides to consider. They are nocturnal animals, so their activity at night might disturb some homeowners. Their scavenging habits can sometimes lead them to rummage through garbage cans if they are not properly secured.
Opossums can also carry diseases and parasites, although they are generally resistant to rabies. To minimize the risk of disease transmission, avoid direct contact with opossums and wash your hands thoroughly after being in areas where they frequent. It’s also important to keep your pets vaccinated and to prevent them from interacting with opossums.
Will attracting opossums attract other unwanted wildlife?
Providing food and shelter for opossums can inadvertently attract other wildlife as well. Raccoons, skunks, and even rodents may be drawn to the same resources, potentially creating unwanted competition and increasing the risk of property damage or disease transmission. Careful management is key to minimizing these risks.
Consider using feeding stations that are specifically designed for opossums, such as elevated platforms or enclosed feeders with small openings that are difficult for larger animals to access. Regularly cleaning the feeding area and removing any leftover food can also help deter other animals from visiting your yard. Monitor the activity around the feeding station and adjust your strategies as needed to maintain a balance that benefits the opossums while minimizing the impact on other wildlife.
How can I discourage opossums from entering my house?
Preventing opossums from entering your house requires securing potential entry points. Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation, walls, and roof with durable materials like wire mesh or caulk. Make sure your chimney is properly capped to prevent them from climbing down and entering your living space.
Keep your yard clean and free of debris that could attract opossums, such as fallen fruit or uncovered garbage cans. Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and store them in a garage or shed if possible. If you have pets, bring their food bowls inside at night to avoid attracting unwanted visitors.