Opossums are among the most primitive mammals. Fossil ancestry goes back 70 Million years. They have survived by adapting to human habitat and being able to eat just about anything. They are beneficial in that they help to keep the balance of nature.

Opossums are often mistaken for rats. They are not rodents, they are marsupials so they are related to the kangaroo. They are not aggressive toward humans or pets but they will attempt to defend themselves if cornered. They are relatively disease free. They do not carry parvo virus, distemper or rabies. They are actually an excellent animal to have around your property because they eat rats, mice, snails, slugs and insects. They also eat over ripe fruit that has fallen to the ground. They are called "omnivores" because they eat meat as well as vegetables and fruit.

Opossums are nest builders. They are also nocturnal. They spend much of the day in their dens. At night, they forage for food. They are excellent climbers using all their hands, feet and tail to grasp.

If you don't want Opossums around your house:

1. Pick up all pet food, especially at night.
2. Keep a tight lid on all garbage cans.
3. Block holes in fences and buildings with wire or wood.
4. Use pet doors at your own risk. Lock them at night, if possible, or you may be surprised to discover that a skunk, opossum, or raccoon has invited itself into your home. Some newer models can be opened only by pets wearing a special magnetic collar.
5. Keep garage door closed. Opossums will enter at night and find a comfortable place to sleep during the day, particularly at night.
6. Opossums in the House: Occasionally an Opossum will find its way into a house through a pet door or chimney and be unable to find its way out. Close doors to all other rooms in the house, open doors and windows to the outside and leave the house. Wait quietly for the Opossum to find its way out. Do not use food as a lure; this will make wildlife associate food with humans and return for more. If the Opossum has not left in a reasonable period of time, call your local animal control agency.
7. Opossums Under the House or Deck: In the mating and nesting season, these animals are especially attracted to warm, dry, dark, and easily defended areas for temporary homes. Limit and eliminate access by following these steps: 

• Close off all but one access route to the den area.
• Gather all materials to close the remaining entrance and place them outside the opening. Sheet metal works best, or you can use sturdy wire mesh or wood, hammer, nails, etc.
• Toss ammonia-soaked rags into the space: the pungent odor annoys the animals with their keen sense of smell. Check daily to ensure that the odor is present; replenish as needed. Place small bowls of ammonia on either side of the entryway; refill daily for at least two weeks. Use ammonia carefully, however, because it can be toxic to children and to domestic and wild animals. The aim is strictly to drive away the Opossum with the odor.
• Brightly light the area, day and night. This is annoying to nocturnal animals; it is easily accomplished by taping a mechanics droplight or trouble light to a long two-by-four and sliding it into the space. Or try placing a radio near the opening and playing it loudly day and night. (This may annoy your neighbors more than the Opossums, however.)
• Spread a light layer of flour on the ground outside the entrance, covering an area large enough to record footprints as the animals exit. After sunset, begin checking the flour every 45 minutes for exiting tracks. When you see tracks, seal the opening tightly.
• Live-trapping is illegal unless you are an animal control officer or a licensed trapper or rehabilitator.

1. Opossums in the Attic or on the Roof: Attics and roofs can be good nesting locations from an Opossum’s point of view. The following deterrents should never be used during baby season as they may prevent the mother from returning, resulting in orphaned, starving babies. Limit access by following the steps under “Opossums Under the House or Deck”. Unless the roof is easily accessible to you, you may have to forgo the flour tracking and depend on the other steps. Be sure to keep replenishing the ammonia until you no longer hear sounds in the attic; then close the opening. Remove trellises, vines, shrubs, tree limbs or other objects that may give animals a route to the roof or attic. Wrap tree trunks with 2-foot wide sheet metal, positioning it at least 2 feet above the ground to prevent Opossums from jumping over the barrier and climbing trees for access to buildings. Replace shingles, repair holes near eaves, and cover the chimney with heavy mesh wire.
2. Opossums in the Garden or Fruit Trees: Opossums are good climbers and relish fruit, but they may break branches and compete with the growers enjoyment of his or her crop. Opossums also like to help themselves to grapes and corn just before they are ready for picking. Keep the yard free of fallen fruit. Wrap a strip of sheet metal (about 2 feet wide) around the trunk of the tree, positioning it at least 2 feet above the ground so the animal cannot jump over it and continue up the trunk. Use extra vigilance in chasing animals away, using lights and loud noises, to deter Opossums long enough for crops to be harvested.
3. Opossums Digging Up Garden Plants and Lawn: Opossums dig in search of worms, insects and grubs tiny, wormlike larval stages of insects that live in lawns. The good news is that they won’t eat your plants. The bad news is that they will dig them up to get at the food source in the soil below.

• Sprinkle lawns or planters with cayenne pepper to discourage grub hunters.
• Control grub populations so that Opossums will not be drawn to your lawn in the first place. A commercial product called Grub Attack is an effective organic control.
• Fasten bird netting over garden plants. It is easier for Opossums to dig elsewhere than to remove the netting.
• Improve existing fences by enclosing any open area between the bottom of the fence and the ground. Or install fence extenders facing outward at a 45-degree angle on top of each post, with two or three strands of wire strung between them.
• If the area is fairly small, try sinking jars filled with ammonia into the ground, with sponges as wicks. Be sure the jars are anchored in the soil to prevent spilling. Or hang socks filled with mothballs.
• Serious gardeners might consider an electrified fence. String ordinary, 2-millimeter galvanized wire along insulator posts around the perimeter. The wire should start about 8 inches above the ground to prevent crawling underneath and lines should be spaced close together so animals cannot reach through. Connect the wires to an approved fence charger with alternating current not exceeding 12 volts, which can be purchased relatively cheaply at feed stores.

Trapping and relocation of Opossums is not a recommended or viable alternative. Wild animals are territorial & like species will simply take over the area vacated by the relocated or dead animal.

It is also a state law violation to trap or possess wild animals unless you are licensed or have obtained a permit.

Wild Fur-Bearing Animals: (as defined in § 71.001, Parks and Wildlife Code) License or permit required to take, trap, possess or sell the animal or its pelt. Beaver, ring-tailed cats, otters, opossums, red and gray foxes, badgers, mink, skunks, or civet cats, nutria, raccoons, muskrats, weasels

Local Agencies to Contact for Information or Assistance:

•  Wildlife Rescue: 472-WILD (9453)
•  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 389-4800
•  Wildlife Damage Management: 473-9613
•  Cedar Park Animal Control: 260-4622