Eliminex Pest Control Inc.

Opossum Information

Appearance: The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial that is native to the United States. Opossums are generally light gray in color with phases of darker colors throughout. The tail is hairless and the female has a well developed marsupium pouch. The adult opossum is about 12 inches in height and about 32 inches long including the 12 inch tail. The opossum have sharp teeth with 10 upper incisors. Body weights vary from 2-12 Lb.

Breeding Information: Breeding seasons for opossums is usually from February- June and they can have 1-2 litters per year. Litters of 5-13 or more are common. Newly born opossums are kidney bean sized at birth. They climb into their mothers pouch as they further develop. The young become independent at about 14 weeks old.

Activity: Opossums are active year round and are nocturnal emerging from their dens at dusk and return by dawn. Opossums do not hibernate, however during extreme weather they may stay in dens for weeks at a time using up stored body fats. They are slow of foot and are unwary. Opossums will often employ threats or play dead to avoid predation. Home range can be 6-7 acres but the area can be smaller or larger depending available food sources.

Diet: Opossums are true omnivores and will eat almost any food source including: garbage, fruit, vegetables, green plants, insects, snakes, frogs, fish, crustaceans, mushrooms, eggs, birds and small mammals.

Distribution: Opossums are found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States.

Damage: Opossums nest in crawl spaces and attics of homes and commercial buildings. They can also be found in dens underground, below sheds and in hollow trees and logs. They can cause structural damage. Opossums will dig up beautiful lawns in search of earthworms and grubs. They frequently raid garbage cans and tear open plastic bags set out for disposal.

Diseases: The Opossum is known to carry tularemia, leptospirosis, relapsing fever, murine typhus and rocky mountain spotted fever. They are often infested with many ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas.

Control: Prevention goes a long way in the control of opossums. Limiting food sources such as poorly sealed garbage cans and left over pet foods is helpful. Trimming trees and shrubs off the perimeters of the structure especially at the baseline and roofline level will discourage the opossums from climbing onto the house. Installing chimney caps will prevent opossum and other animals from falling into the chimney flue. Finally the roof, gable and crawl space vents should be inspected for structural integrity as well as the fascia boards and overhangs. Special attention should be paid at the ground level openings as opossums tend to enter structures at the base level.

Once the opossums have breached the structure and have entered the attic or crawl spaces it is necessary to remove the opossums using box traps. Baits such as cat food, dog food and fish by products work well with opossums.

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