Living with Opossums

Most people associate opossums with the southern United States. Although native to the southeastern United States, these animals have moved north and are now common through most of southern Ontario.

Opossums are North America's only marsupial mammal. The female carries and nurses her young in her pouch until they are two to three months old. For a month or two after that, they are carried on her back whenever they are away from the den.

Opossums are solitary and nocturnal, usually most active and looking for food at night.

Opossums eat almost anything, including insects, snails, rodents, berries, fruit, grasses, leaves, carrion, snakes, bird and waterfowl eggs, corn and all other vegetables.

Opossums are active year-round and do not hibernate. During extreme cold weather they may stay in dens for weeks at a time using up stored body fat. Home range can be six to seven acres, or significantly smaller in urban areas.

Conflicts happen

In some instances, opossums may get into garbage, bird feeders, compost bins or pet food.  They may enter garages and buildings or live under decks or sheds.

Please keep in mind…

Wild animals have the same basic needs as humans – food, water and shelter. Sometimes, humans and wild creatures come into conflict when animals are trying to meet their basic needs. Often, conflicts can be prevented if we're willing to make small changes to how we think and act.

People and wild animals live side by side in Ontario. We all share responsibility for preventing and handling human-wildlife conflicts. If you must take action against wildlife, please consider all your options and follow all relevant laws and regulations.

Conflicts with Opossums

How Can I Prevent Conflicts?

Limit food sources

• Never feed opossums.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Keep spilled bird feed cleaned up around feeders.
• Place bird food, such as beef suet, out of reach of opossums.
• Keep the lid on your compost and garbage cans tight with a bungee cord or strap.

Make your property unwelcoming

• Keep the areas under decks, sheds and other buildings free from old lumber and other debris where opossums could find a suitable den.
• Close off all vents or open spaces under buildings with metal, hardware cloth or boards. Be careful not to seal animals inside.
• Lock pet doors and close garage, storage building, basement and attic doors and windows, especially at night.
• Prune all large tree limbs that opossums may use to gain access to a building roof or upper floor windows and vents.
• If trees cannot be pruned, tack a metal band 41 to 61 centimetres wide around the tree trunk below the first limbs, about 1.2 to 2.4 metres above the ground. This deters opossums from climbing the tree.
• Motion-sensitive lights, alarms or sprinklers can be used to scare opossums away.

How Can I Handle a Conflict?

If an opossum is living in your home

• Install one-way gates to allow animals to leave while preventing re-entry.
• Do not permanently block the entrance until you are sure no animals remain.
• Never separate a mother opossum from her young. Evict opossums in autumn when young have left the den.
• Local animal control agencies can be hired to safely and humanely remove problem wildlife from your home.
• Once you are sure all opossums are out, permanently seal the opening.

Lethal action is a last resort

• A landowner may humanely kill or trap opossums that are damaging or about to damage their property. Firearm regulations and bylaws must be followed.
• You may also hire an agent to act on your behalf.  

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