Opossum Removal: A Homeowner’s Guide to Spotting, Solving, and Preventing Problems

If you’ve ever walked outside in the morning to find your trash tipped over or strange scratching sounds coming from the attic at night, you might be dealing with an opossum. These critters aren’t usually aggressive, but when they move in, they can cause plenty of stress for homeowners.

The good news is, help is never far. Whether you’re considering an opossum removal service or just curious about what humane wildlife removal really is, this guide will walk you through how to spot the signs, understand the risks, and keep your home opossum-free.

How to Know If an Opossum Is on Your Property

Opossums are sneaky. They don’t roar like raccoons or chatter like squirrels. Most folks only realize they’ve got one hanging around when they spot the telltale signs:

• Trash bags ripped open overnight

• Scratching or rustling sounds in the attic after dark

• Foul odors from droppings or urine

• Small paw prints near decks, sheds, or crawl spaces

If you’ve noticed any of these, chances are you’ve got an uninvited guest.

Opossum Behavior: Why They Enter Homes, Yards, and Attics

Here’s the thing about opossums: they’re not trying to be troublemakers. They’re looking for food and shelter, plain and simple. Attics are warm. Garbage cans are full of snacks. Crawl spaces? Cozy and safe.

Once you understand what’s drawing them in, it gets a lot easier to figure out how to keep them out.

Opossum vs. Raccoon: How to Tell the Difference

We hear this all the time: “I think I’ve got a raccoon in the attic.” But when we show up, it’s an opossum instead. They get mixed up often, and it makes sense since both are nighttime wanderers.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

If it sounds like someone is stomping around upstairs, that’s usually a raccoon. If it’s lighter and paired with a mess outside, you might be dealing with an opossum.

Critter Hero Tip: Take our quick quiz to identify the animals in your attic and learn the next steps for safe, humane removal.

Do Opossums Really Play Dead? What It Means for Removal

Yes, they do. When threatened, an opossum might flop over, tongue out, looking completely lifeless. It’s not a trick they can control, it’s a natural defense.

Why does this matter for removal? Because if you try to handle one yourself and it suddenly “dies” in your hands, it’s not only stressful for you, it’s stressful for the animal too. Knowing this behavior helps us use calm, humane handling methods that keep everyone safe.

Risks of Having Opossums Around (and Benefits You Might Not Expect)

The downsides are clear:

• Property damage (chewed wires, insulation mess, strong odors)

• Risk of fleas, ticks, and parasites spreading indoors

• Unpleasant encounters with pets

But here’s the twist. Opossums eat thousands of ticks each season, which actually helps reduce Lyme disease risk. They also clean up insects, slugs, and even small rodents. So while you don’t want one living in your attic, they’re not the worst neighbors in the natural world.

Safe and Humane Opossum Removal Methods Explained

At Critter Hero, we don’t use harmful traps or poisons. Our process usually looks like this:

1. Inspect the property and find the entry points

2. Use humane one-way doors so the opossum can leave but not get back in

3. Seal up gaps and weak spots

4. Sanitize the area to remove odors that might attract another animal

It’s straightforward, safe, and it works.

Step-by-Step Checklist to Prevent Opossums From Returning

Want to make sure you don’t deal with this again? Here’s a quick homeowner checklist:

• Secure garbage bins with tight-fitting lids

• Block off access under decks and sheds with wire mesh

• Keep pet food indoors

• Trim tree branches near the roofline

• Inspect vents, soffits, and roof edges for gaps

Small steps, but they go a long way.

When to Call a Professional Wildlife Removal Expert

If you’re just hearing noises or seeing droppings, you might try a little DIY inspection. But if you’ve confirmed an opossum inside, it’s time to call a pro. They’re bigger than mice, quieter than raccoons, and surprisingly good at hiding.

Critter Hero can handle it quickly, legally, and without stress. You’ll sleep easier knowing your home is safe again.