Opossums are North America’s only native marsupial, and they’re surprisingly common in suburban neighborhoods. They’re opportunistic nesters that will move under your deck, into your crawl space, or up into your attic given half a chance. If you’re hearing slow, lumbering sounds or hissing at night, an opossum may have moved in.
Signs You Have an Opossum
- Slow, heavy shuffling sounds at night — opossums are nocturnal
- Hissing sounds when the animal feels threatened
- Large droppings — similar in size to a cat’s
- Disturbed garbage cans or missing pet food left outdoors
- Strong musky odor coming from under a deck, porch, or crawl space
- Seeing the animal itself — opossums are about the size of a house cat with a pointed nose, gray fur, and a hairless tail
Where Opossums Hide
Opossums are opportunistic and will nest almost anywhere that’s dark, quiet, and protected:
- Under decks, porches, and steps
- In crawl spaces
- In attics — they typically enter through gaps near the roofline
- In garages and sheds
- Inside hollow trees or wood piles near the home
Are Opossums Dangerous?
Opossums are rarely aggressive — their famous “playing dead” response is an involuntary defense mechanism, not a deliberate strategy. However, they can and do bite if cornered, and they carry parasites including fleas, ticks, and mites that can spread to pets and into your home.
Interestingly, opossums are highly resistant to rabies due to their low body temperature. However, they can carry leptospirosis, which is transmissible to humans and pets through contact with their urine. Any area where an opossum has been nesting should be professionally decontaminated.
Opossum Removal Process
- Inspection to locate all entry points and nesting areas
- Live trapping — opossums are caught in humane cage traps
- Relocation in accordance with local wildlife regulations
- Sealing of all entry points to prevent return
- Cleanup and decontamination of nesting areas
Preventing Opossums From Returning
Opossums are attracted to easy food sources and sheltered spaces. After removal, reduce attractants by securing garbage cans with locking lids, bringing pet food inside at night, sealing off gaps under decks and porches with hardware cloth, and trimming tree branches that overhang your roof. Your wildlife removal technician will advise on specific exclusion measures for your property.
Find Opossum Removal Near You
AAAC Wildlife Removal has opossum removal experts across 17 states offering free inspections and permanent exclusion.