Opossums

1 Identify Areas of Damage

The best way to repel an opossum is with a motion-activated sprinkler. In order to determine how many repelling sprinklers you will need, it's important to identify each damage area on your property.

Common opossum activities include:

• pilfering tipped trash cans
• stealing fruits, berries and bird seed
• raiding barns or poultry houses - stealing eggs or chicks
• living underneath your house/porch
• nesting in your attic, basement or crawlspace* destroying ductwork and/or chewing through electrical wires

*If the opossums are indoors - i.e. inside your attic, basement, etc. - you may have to use a live trap or have a professional remove it. To learn more, read How to Trap an Opossum »

2 Obtain a Motion-Activated Sprinkler

A motion-activated sprinkler will seek out opossum activity and release startling bursts of water to repel them and condition them to stay away from virtually any outdoor area.

There are two types of motion-activated sprinklers on the market from which to choose depending on your yard, preferences and opossum density:

If damage is found in different areas of your yard, or you want to repel opossums from the entire property, you may need to install multiple units.

3 Apply as Directed

Position each repellent to deter approaching opossums from reaching the damage areas. Be mindful of the coverage area of your particular unit - if the area you want to protect exceeds the square footage, you will need to set up multiple devices. Some examples of placement include:

• the back corners of your garden
• around the perimeter of an un-fenced property
• at each entryway to your property, structure or damage area
• in front of the opossums' den or burrow
• beside your trash cans

4 Set Up as Directed

Set up your electronic opossum repellent(s) according to the product manual. Some steps critical to your success include:

• Point the infrared sensor and the sprinkler in the direction opossums will be approaching.
• Carefully set your sensitivity based upon your desired coverage area and the average temperature during which activity occurs (nighttime). Use the guidelines provided in the manual.
• Test the sensitivity after you set it to be sure the device can detect at the desired distance.

Once a unit is set up, check the battery and/or water level periodically, and adjust the sensitivity as the climate changes.

5 Reduce Attractants

One of the most important steps in repelling opossums is eliminating all potential food sources, cover and shelter. Important actions to take include:

• cleaning up fallen berries, fruits and bird seed
• storing trash and compost in airtight, animal-proof containers
• removing all traces of food, drink and pet food before dusk
• trimming tree branches within 10 feet of your roof
• repairing broken vents or screens that may lead indoors

TIP: Opossums have an excellent sense of smell, so any trace of food, juice or crumbs can potentially attract them. If you can, avoid feeding your pets outdoors. Havahart^® also suggests periodically washing garbage bins.