Unfortunately, possums do eat chickens and other small animals. Its best to use garlic oil to repel opossums as the scent will be stronger and, thus, more effective. A tea-based deterrent like lapsang souchong tea will keep opossum away. It is common for young possums to remain with their mother until they are about 4 or 5 months old. You've probably never heard an opossum make a noise before because they are usually fairly quiet. Do possums like lavender? Possums are small to medium-sized marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea, Sulawesi, and Indonesia. Mothballs have an annoying smell that can keep opossums away. Some of these are most likely resistant to other animals. This will prompt opossums to move from one area to another. That means youll have to re-apply each week to keep opossums away. They will clean up fallen garbage and debris from fruits. They live along the east coast of Australia in Queensland, New South Wales, Canberra, most of Victoria, Tasmania and the south-west of Western Australia. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Its no secret that garden lights make your garden or yard look more attractive. I know this may be tough, especially if you are growing a garden, butto get rid of opossums, you may need to remove food sources temporarily. You can also wrap spikes on tree trunks where opossums are used for climbing. While possums (technically opossums, but more commonly referred to by their shortened name) are omnivores and could theoretically kill and eat a housecat or dog, these common backyard visitors are more focused on easier prey. This method wont last because when the animal notices that the danger is the only light, it may come back. Opossums are repelled away by the essential oil. Once you set the correct timing and frequency when you believe the opossum will be around, they will start to function. 3. Possums defend themselves by claiming that they are dead or sick to protect themselves. Skunks are often the cause of these clues. The light needs to be installed in areas where the opossum is likely to be active, like hiding places, trees, logs, lawn, trash bins, compost, and woodpiles. Plus, it makes possums even more unique parts of our natural environment. Use smelly, fragrant mothballs to discourage them from foraging your yard, crawlspace, shed, or other area. Possum-proof fencing is made by constructing a 2.5m-high wire fence that's topped with a length of floppy wire that makes it impossible for possums to climb into the property. Possums can be a problem in the Australian or New Zealand garden. Arguably maybe the easiest and quickest way to deter possums, molasses is something we all have in our pantries and can be used right now. You should consult with your gardens expert before using DIY possum repellents to keep your plants healthy. Because opossums pose little threat and frequently leave on their own, you can effectively manage the steps to keep them away without spending a lot of money. 7 Sounds And Noises That Wasps Make (How To Identify Them). Second, youll have to remove the hot water from the fire. Brushtail Possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that other animals find poisonous. When these creatures are present, there is a risk of disease, defecation, and urinate. While there are plants that possums love - especially roses, maples and magnolias - they will eat just about anything. To do so, some easy and effective ways to deter possums is by using the scents they hate. The whole idea that is associated with these decoys is that they represent predators, and possums that nest and live amongst people for food will stay away from any potential threat. Opossums are referred to as garbage disposals, free pest control. What vegetables do possums eat? You can keep the following in the mixture: jalapenos, hot mustard, dish soap, dragons health, bhut jolokia, Trinidad moruga, and many more. Although psylliums are native to Australia and invasive in New Zealand, they are both protected species. Theres nothing worse than waking up to some backyard damage or your flower and vegetable garden completely destroyed! Thus, you will need to find creative ways to discourage them from getting into your garden, eating specific plants, or blocking them from your yard altogether. Mothballs have been proven to work as a possum repellent, as they're unappealing and naturally repulse possums. Opossums have a round face and round body with brown or golden fur, and opossums have gray to white coarse fur with a pointed face. Required fields are marked *. Fresh meat and roadkill are also dietary staples. Ladine, T. A., & Kissell, Jr, R. E. (1994, October). What plants do possums hate? It is not acceptable to kill an opossum whether it is in your yard or at home. Another ingredient we love onions is hated by opossums. This is the time of year when you find opossums under your decks or in your attics because they will find warmth in those spots and will hang out for a few days at a time until they have to leave to get more food. To deter brushtail possums, use hot pepper or tabasco sauce. Ensure that you place the light in a strategic position that opossums are likely to use, and you wont be seeing them. Locate the nest the possum has built in your roof, remove it (when the possum is out and foraging) and place this inside the nest box. The scent and taste of garlic have been shown to repel opossums in the past. They buzz around, sting people, and whats up with those dangling legs?, Read More 7 Sounds And Noises That Wasps Make (How To Identify Them)Continue, Aphids are a common pest found in the garden and yard. Opossums, in some cases, can be good for your gardens because they love to eat insects, snails, slugs, and even small rodents. Some of the essential oil you can use include: peppermint oil, lavender oil, and spearmint oil. Since using the product, I havent seen a opossum in my yard. They have survived for over 70 million years on our planet. Ammonia has a powerful odor due to the presence of a toxic substance. Like other rodents, opossums hate spices. Some data indicate opossums eat thousands of deer ticks per season, reducing . Opossums are not the animals that will dive into garbage cans, but they will eat any fallen food that hits the ground. As it rots, it will repel away opossum. In fact, they . However, they are likely to feed on young chicks and eggs compared to a full-grown chicken. There are numerous ways for a home to manage its population, but not every method is right for it. If it finds a good food source in its territory, the opossum does not move more than five hectares from its nest. When you want them out of your yard, consider using your new arsenal of scents and smells to repel them! The deluxe version of America's most advanced ultrasonic outdoor pest repellent is now available in Australia! Vicks vapor rub is an excellent natural deterrent for opossum. If this doesnt seem to help, placing minced garlic on small plates in your gardens can do the trick. While they are not particularity fussy eaters, they do seem to prefer certain types of food over others. Opossums have prehensile tails that they use like a hand or a fifth appendage. Occasionally they hunt small animals like rodents, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and birds. If you have opossums getting into your outdoor belongings or have been noticing them coming around quite often you may need to shield them away with some scents. Escape Behavior of Virginia Opossums. They have been known to eat fish, birds and mammals as well. This includes lavender. Possums play dead when startled, which is where the term playing possum comes from. The Common Brushtail Possum may also eat grass, fungi, bird's eggs and baby birds. Cat or dog hair helps in removing opossums. You could also use a fish sauce, Tabasco sauce, or laundry detergent spray to remove the leaves from your plants. Because they enjoy eating fruits and vegetables, possums frequently enjoy our gardens, eating edibles and green plants while making their homes in compost piles, shrubbery, garden sheds, and even inside our homes. If there is no eucalyptus around, they settle for other plants, such as green plum, acacia, red bush apple, and more. After you have all the ingredients, youll need to mix them. The smell of hair will trick the opossum into thinking that theres a big predator in the area. Opossums are scavengers and will always be looking for food. They will not den near a garlic scent either since they will feel unsafe with the smell. Its also possible to scatter cat/dog hair around the area to entice scavenging pests into thinking youre on their side. Possums natural resistance to certain snake venoms makes them an ideal snake predator. The first thing is to heat the water and leave it to boil. You can safely use this type of wildlife control by pouring some ammonia or scattering some mothballs in a coffee can around your yard. After an hour, pour the tea into a spray bottle and add a bit of detergent. Third, youll mix the mixture and let it sit overnight. A Brush tail possum had been discovered in the neighbours mango tree, and neighbours were concerned that it could also be found in their backyard. There are some plants the native wildlife, in particular, do not like to eat and these can be used as a natural deterrent. While possums will eat just about anything, they do not seem to have a particular taste for azaleas. Since they want darkness, they will avoid well-lit areas or places. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. On the market, we have insecticides based on the predators urine that you can buy. This is when they can cause the most damage, and if you happen to have them in your attic or on your roof they can keep you up all night because they will be moving around a lot! Taking Care of Ticks. Weve all seen them around school buildings or in areas with any type of business where land is plentiful;coyote decoys or fox decoys help keep opossums and other pests away. Possums also prey on reptiles like snakes, especially venomous snakes like the rattlesnake and the pit viper, as they are immune to their venom as well. Ultrasonic sounds are inaudible to humans but make noise for opossums. Possums are said to eat anything that is dead or available, from fruit, snakes, insects, slugs, eggs, rats and mice, fish, frogs, and the meat of other dead animals. In town, it feeds on vegetables from your garden and rummages in your trash cans. They are often considered to be pests because they will eat just about anything. Make sure to squeeze the ball each week to release the stinky aroma. Your email address will not be published. Many of you asked what the oppossums were eating in the previous opossum video. There are some plants the native wildlife, in particular, do not like to eat and these can be used as a natural deterrent. Read more Planting agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes around your veggie patch may help keep the wallabies away. Male Virginia opossums may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) but average about 76 cm (30 inches) in total length (including the tail); females average about 72 cm (28 inches). If you dont have pets but do have pets, you might want to look into a different wildlife control method. Molasses can work wonders to scare opossums when used in the right way. Pet fur will keep possums and other pests away. Invest in the light thats focused on the beam rather than one that spreads across the garden. That sweet-smelling, sweet-tasting molasses is hated by possums. There are several recipes for homemade possum repellents that include ingredients such as ammonia, vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Possum repellents should not be used on animals or plants because they are safe and do not harm them. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Youll need blood and bone fertilizer and an old sock. Dont spray on pets or any other things you may want to eat. Keep possums out of your garden environmentally. Mothballs and possums. Quassia chips come from a South American tree bark called picrasma excelsa. . These foods are hated by possumseverywhere. The possum has two primary senses: its keen sense of touch and a keen sense of smell. In your garden they love to eat roses, gardenias, fuchsias and passionfruit. Alternatively, you may need to use it with a net if you want to protect the vegetable patch. Heres is the instruction you need to follow: Bear in mind that you should only spray this on plants. The natural diet of possums is gumtree leaves, but they are known to be fond of eating new plant growth, fruit on fruit trees and many flowers, like camellias, roses, gardenias, and fuchsias. Almost 80% of the plants in my garden are eaten right down to the stalks. Since these animals dont want to be wet, they will avoid those areas very well. They are scavengers by nature and can eat anything from lizards to berries. The mix of Vicks and vaseline can also be applied underneath the top rail of the fence or chicken wire. They, and Brushtails, also eat flowers, fruits and veggies. Although opossums arent harmful directly, they can cause destruction to your outdoor spaces and can take over areas by nesting. One of the most loved ingredients to humans is one of the most hated scents by possums. Mix the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit overnight. 5. Apple or bananas seem to work best. Pour the tea into a bottle spray and apply it to the affected vegetable, fruits, and plants. These common pests of leafy, Read More Why Scale Can Spread To Other Plants (And What To Do)Continue, Your email address will not be published. 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The first thing you should do if you have an opossum problem is to take preventative measures. Liquid seaweed fertilisers also produce a smell herbivores do not like, but liquids will need to be repeatedly added as they wash off in the rain. Examine the trunks of the trees to see if there are any scratch marks. Smaller plants can benefit from being protected by their own covers that have been specifically designed for them. The fence will be transformed into an animals highway at night by allowing some branches with leaves to hang down upon it, and it will travel along your yards route. Do possums eat pumpkins? These powders work on the opossums sense of smell and taste. The hole is approximately the size of a skunk nose. "Does it deter them? If none of those approaches works, it may be time to try out a opossum trap or a chemical repellent to chase away the creature. This means that plants like onion and garlic will usually be enough to make these furry night-walking friends back away. While they typically prefer fruits and vegetables, they will also munch on flowers if they are available. Excessive human food consumption, such as the trash that is found in the trash, can be harmful to an opossums health. This bark is used as a primary component in the majority of commercial possum repellents. This ingredient can be used to make a possum deterrent spray by combining hot sauce, detergent, and water. Mixing ammonia with water, following all product directions, and generously spraying ammonia around garbage cans, sheds, under decks, and crawl spaces can work quickly and effectively in deterring possums. Hot Pepper Keeps Raccoons Away. It is best to sprinkler when it is first noticed that there is a possum problem. And that explains why theyll use the same pathway when coming to visit you. Bird netting can deter possums too as they cannot climb it, but be aware netting is easy for them to break through. Alternatively, you can also keep the hair in the opossum pathway. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Like any animal opossums are driven by food. This makes for an interesting contrast in the breeze and can be used to create dramatic impact if you like playing around with foliage colours in your plantings. Krause, W. J., & Krause, W. A. That means the more possums that are in your area, the fewer ticks you'll encounter . Planting garlic cloves in your garden may be enough to keep opossums from eating your vegetables and flowers. There are times when the scent cant work anymore because opossum is used to them. Therefore they will choose to stay away from your properties. 07 of 11 Lily-of-the-Valley These have been beneficial not only to possums, but also to white cabbage moth caterpillars. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. They will also eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Garlic is an excellent way to get rid of a possum. For the most part, possums will not want to go near any plants that are particularly pungent. Make your own garlic possum repellent or Lapsang Souchong tea spray. Possum and Pest deterrent. Ammonia smells horrible, and you can use it to remove opossums from your backyard. As possums or opossums are immune to various deadly venoms, they can also eat insects that are poisonous to other animals. When they see overflowing trash cans or compost bins, they flock to them. 5. They can eat anything, alive or dead, almost similar to racoons. It has large pointed ears, grey fur and a bushy black tail. Whether its scraps from the garbage, or the fruits on your fruit trees, or crops from your garden, opossums will get their hands into all types of food. Opossums Make Strange Sounds. Opossums will also den where there is a lot of brush and bushes because the thick branches and leaves will help keep them dry and hidden away. Garlic is an excellent repellent for an opossum, and every home has one in the kitchen. Do possums eat Agapanthus? Mothballs are the cheapest method of keeping opossums away. Finally, spray the plants, leaves, veggies, or fruits that you think opossums might eat. Camphor overpowers an opossums senses and doesnt signal a food source, leading to them staying away. Fact 1: Diet. Their opposable thumbs allow them to climb trees, feed on insects, and dig up bugs and insects. What Do Possums Eat? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Possums are capable of causing a lot of damage to plants if they feed on them repeatedly. However do not spray ammonia on gardens, crops, trees, or anywhere where you have pets or common areas, as it could be hazardous. This natural rabbit repellent is great for adding muted color to the garden all year round. Possums are mainly, plant eaters, favouring eucalyptus and other leaves, ferns, buds, flowers and fruits. Alternatively, you can use naphthalene crystals to do the same thing. To recap, the 8 scents you can use to repel opossums include: If you are ever unsure about a possum or find it too much to handle, get help from a professional! Opossums hate the smell of fish oil. We love possums, and we dont want to hurt them. Possums are known to consume more than 50 chicks in one night whether dead or alive. Opossums wont stand a strong smell. Both kinds of possum may live in your roof if they can't find suitable homes in trees. Other options include eucalyptus, lavender, and mint. Published Mar 21, 2016. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. So, lets break this down with some differences. The Power Of Lavender: Could This Aromatic Herb Help Alleviate Cold Symptoms? Possums can carry diseases and parasites, and they can damage property by chewing on wires and insulation. Do possum traps work? Please, consult a professional before this one. If you and your neighbours can handle it, making the area smell really bad keeps nibblers away. The chips will create tea as it produces tannins in the water. That's my buddy, Vito. How do I keep possums away from my house? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Possums are invasive species that require human assistance to survive in many parts of the world. Contrary to myth, opossums do not hang upside down by their tails when sleeping. Natural deterrents for opossums are effective in keeping this creature at bay. What Happens To Aphids When They Dont Have Plants? Opossums only stay where they feel safe, and if there is pet fur present they most likely will feel threatened due to another species in the area. The best way to keep garlic away is to mix fresh garlic bits in water and spray around the garden area. Opossums generally eat fruit, grains and insects, but will also eat out of compost piles, garbage cans and pet food dishes if they can get access. Along with this, keeping your garbage cans tidy can make a huge difference. Place a piece of fruit inside the nest box. While their natural diet is gumtree leaves, possums are known to consume fruit on fruit trees and many flowers such as roses, gardenias, and fuchsias. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They consume garbage, pet food, birdseed, and poultry that humans find around their homes as well. Fast facts Possums are closely related to gliders. Purchasing motion lights or animal deterrent lights like theseThanos Nighttime Animal Deterrent Lightswill scare nocturnal animals away. Young opossums will make sneezing sounds or a soft "choo choo" to call out to their mother, who will respond with clicking noises. In fact, the scent of cats or dogs is . If you intend to trap an opossum indoors, it may be preferable to leave it alone near a fence or barrier. Possums, like kangaroos and koalas, are carnivorous animals. The order Didelphimorphia contains the only Opossums that live in North America. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Its something worth a try. Opossums do eat snakes, including venomous snakes. As for "playing possum," that's a real thing "When threatened, opossums run, growl, belch, urinate and defecate . If you suspect you have a possum infestation, contact a pest control professional to have the animals removed. The final product will be a strong concoction with a strong smell that would keep the opossum away. Many predators do. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Thats why they recommended it. Like many Plectranthus species, Mona Lavender has interesting foliage in that the undersides of the leaves are a rich port colour whilst the topsides are dark green. However, among the two, they are more inclined to eat animals, both dead and alive, making them predominantly carnivorous. For best results, lavender should be grown in well-draining, neutral to alkaline soil. Although there are more than 60 species of possums in the world, there is only one type of opossum found in the United States, and its called theVirginia Opossum. According to the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum consumes 5000 of the parasites per tick season. Add 1 to 2 liter of a teaspoon of potassium-based detergent or natural dish soap to make the solution sticker and last long.