How to get rid of opossums in your courtyard, according to pest experts
Professionals share their best advice to keep the marsupials away.
Some appreciate the opossums for their unique appearance and status as the only native of Marsupial in North America. And unlike others Nightmares, such as raccoads , they play a role in Natural control of pests By eating cockroaches, snails, slugs and small rodents, according to the Humane Society. But if you are dealing with an infestation on your property which could be too close to comfort, you may prefer that the opossums do their thing elsewhere than your court. Don't worry, however. There are a few methods that can send them packaging. Read the rest to learn to get rid of opossums in your courtyard, according to pest experts.
"Keep the vegetation cut off and maintain regular maintenance of the trash cans, outdoor storage and property," suggests Jamie Nichols , director of the senior service center at Arrow exterminators . "Basically, the less hiding places, the better. The opossums are looking for port areas for shelter and blocking access to these areas - a method that we call" exclusion " - is very effective."
2
Protect your home.
Many cohabiting pests and animals will take the opportunity to sneak into your home to make yourself comfortable. This is why experts say that it is important to ensure that all potential entry points are secure. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"The opossums of your court will seek a shelter - which may include a blanket or near your home or your hangars," said Brandon Thorsell , district director for the Toronto branch of Critter Control Canada . "Cover the vents with metal ventilation covers and fix a metal flashing or a quarter of a quarter of an inch to protect the other openings which must be maintained for the air flow or the exhaust."
Many wild animals tend to stay on a property once they discovered that it was easy to mark a meal there. According to Nichols, this makes the posums particularly delicate. The notoriously unmoved eaters have a diet that includes insects, rats, mice, birds, eggs, berries, fruit, pet food and garbage.
"Have you seen one of these food sources around your courtyard or your home? Eliminate food sources from most unwanted animals in or around your home is the best method and will reduce the chances of contact" , he said Better life .
4
Consider trying a repellent.
Records may seem an easy way to get rid of all unwanted parasites on your property. But as with any product, you will want to do some research before applying and weighing the potential consequences.
"These are sometimes used, but pay attention to active ingredients," warns Nichols. "Some may be very hard for you and your pets, and some can also be very unpleasantly aromatic."
Unlike rodents or insects, opossums generally arrive in smaller numbers so that they can be captured and moved safely. This is why live traps are a favorite method for professional wildlife moving companies.
"This is a human method to catch the animal and move it to another place," says Nichols.
If you plan to install one for yourself, he suggests using damp cat food and tuna as bait. However, he warns that this method is generally better managed by a professional, in particular for the critters involved.
"We generally set live cage traps, and the law forces us to check these traps at least every 24 hours," he said. "Sometimes there are several animals, in which case we deploy several traps on the location. Ideally, we want to keep family members together during trapping, because it gives them a better chance of succeeding during resettlement."
6
Install the light sensor lights.
As nocturnal creatures, opossums tend to avoid brilliant spaces and prefer to search for food in darkness. This is why the motion sensor lights can be a deterrent means Stuart Flynn , Owner of Bug-n-A-Rug Pest Services . They are also easy to install.
He explains that by installing lights activated by movement in your courtyard, it is possible to surprise the opossums and make them uncomfortable. This could possibly encourage them to find a new area to feed on food.
7
Bring the professionals.
As with any devastating problem, with opossums, there are only so many steps that you can take yourself before it becomes necessary to call on the experts.
"If you are unable to identify or eliminate problems such as food or hiding place, then the hiring of a professional is the next step," explains Nichols. "They can identify and offer solutions to unwanted" guests "." »»
He also says that the cost of a single visit to a wildlife control company can cost less than invest in other methods that may not work over time.