How do you lure a possum?

Asked by: Justin Bourgault

Although they aren’t particularly finicky eaters, the best possum bait is fish or apples. Baiting opossum traps with canned pet food also works well. While there are differences of opinion as to the best bait for opossums, all professional trappers agree, the smellier the better.

What is the best bait for possums?

Although they aren’t particularly finicky eaters, the best possum bait is fish or apples. Baiting opossum traps with canned pet food also works well. While there are differences of opinion as to the best bait for opossums, all professional trappers agree, the smellier the better.

How do you scare a possum away?

Possums are repelled by the stench of garlic, ammonia and mothballs. So go ahead and scatter those around where you think possums might hang out. Garlic works best when it’s crushed. If you decide to use ammonia, be careful!

How do you bait a possum?

Once you've placed your trap weigh it down with a brick or cinder block aggressive foragers like opossums can knock down your trap. Rendering it useless.

What attracts possums around your house?

They are attracted to overflowing or odorous trash cans, uncovered compost heaps or other containers that you may have outside. They like to set up their habitat near water or moist areas. If you live near a pond, drainage ditch or sewer, you’re more likely to see opossums on your property.

What food attracts possums?

Apples, aniseed oil on bread, marshmallows, and other sweet bread are good examples of bait that will only attract possums. Using a small amount of food creates a trail that will lead to the trap.

Where do possums go during the day?

They are generally nocturnal and they spend the day in hollow tree trunks, rock crevices, under brush piles, or in burrows. They are excellent climbers and good swimmers. Opossums also spend a lot of time slowly ambling about on the ground, and as a result they are frequently struck by cars.

What time of night do possums come out?

Opossums are generally nocturnal, foraging throughout the night. But it is not at all unusual to see an opossum out during the daytime, especially during cold weather. They also can be seen in the day when food is scarce or when they have been disturbed from their sleeping quarters.

Are possums afraid of humans?

Opossums are much more afraid of humans than we are of them. There are two lines of defense for an opossum when confronted by a human. They will rarely attack, or they will play dead to avoid confrontation. The opossum has an instinct to act dead when standing against humans or other animals.

How long do possums stay in one area?

2-3 days

Opossums are transient animals, staying only 2-3 days in an area before moving on. Removal is neither necessary nor desirable. Wildlife experts agree that if opossums were eliminated from an area, the population of roof rats and other pests would proliferate.

What month do opossums have babies?

The breeding season for the Virginia opossum can begin as early as December and continue through October with most infants born between the months of February and June. A female opossum may have 1-3 litters per year. During the mating season, the male attracts the female by making clicking sounds with his mouth.

Are possums bad to have around your house?

As a homeowner, you may see opossums as unwanted pests, but they can also be helpful critters. On one hand, having opossums around can be beneficial because they are known to eat harmful insects and annoying pests such as cockroaches, rats and snakes.

How far do possums travel from their home?

Opossums are nocturnal, spending the day in dens or other protected spots. However, they can be seen at any time of day, especially in winter when food is scarce. At night, opossums forage in areas near their current dens, but can travel up to 2 miles in search of food.

Can a possum find its way back?

Relocating the possum after you have trapped it doesn’t necessarily work. The possum will find its way back; problem not solved. Opossum trapping is not legal in most states for residents who don’t carry a wildlife trapping and removal license.

How do you catch a possum in your yard?

Commercial Trap – You’ll want to place your trap at night to avoid attracting daytime animals. Set it in an area where you have noticed the opossum is active and bait it with pet food, fish, meat, or fruits. Check it first thing in the morning.

What do possums hate?

Possums hate the taste of:

• Molasses.
• Garlic.
• Onion.
• Hot peppers.
• Hot sauce.
• Mustard.
• Quassia chips.
• Black tea.

Do possums come out in the daytime?

While most of their foraging happens at night, opossums can occasionally be seen in the daylight. If food is scarce, they will spend as much time as necessary to locate it, scavenging at all hours.

Are possums aggressive?

Opossum are not aggressive: their open-mouth, defensive hissing is merely a bluff to look vicious. And if that doesn’t work they play dead when really scared! If there is an opossum in the backyard, don’t worry. They aren’t a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while.

Can possums run fast?

With a top speed of about 4 miles per hour, when “running,” opossums appear to be walking quickly, with the tail rotating in circles for balance. When idle, opossums constantly groom themselves, much as house cats do.

Are possums scared of light?

Possums are nocturnal little creatures that enjoy the cover of darkness. The lights will scare them away and make it uncomfortable for them to stick around.