Are Opossums & Possums the Same?
While both are marsupials, opossums and possums are not actually the same.
Opossums are the only marsupial found in North America and possums are
found in Australia, New Zealand, China, and other countries. Possums are
more closely related to kangaroos than opossums.
Are Opossums Dangerous?
Opossums are generally considered not to be dangerous. These marsupials
are not aggressive and when they feel unsafe, they have two main methods
of self-defense: hissing and playing dead. When they are especially scared,
they will “play possum” by drawing back their lips, foaming
at the mouth, and secreting a very foul odor to drive predators away.
However, on very rare occasions, they have been known to bite humans or
pets who threaten them. This can be dangerous if the opossum is a carrier
of tularemia, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, or any other kind of disease
that can harm humans. In addition, opossums commonly carry lice,
ticks, fleas, and other parasites that are known to carry and transmit diseases to
humans. Coming into contact with an opossum can seriously increase a person’s
risk of contracting these illnesses.
Signs of an Opossum Infestation
While opossum infestations are rare, they do happen on occasion. These
marsupials will seek shelter in attics, crawlspaces, sheds, garages, hollow
logs, brush piles, or underneath decks. Once on your property, they can
cause damage to your garden, garbage bins, shingles, siding, insulation,
and more. The key to minimizing the damage caused by an opossum is recognizing
an infestation and bringing in opossum control specialists right away.
Signs of an opossum infestation include:
- Strange animal noises in the attic, behind walls, or underneath the home or business
- Disappearing pet food
- A strong, musty odor (caused by urine and feces)
- Damaged roofing materials or insulation
- Nests made of insulation, leaves, twigs, plastic, or clothing items
If you believe you have an opossum infestation, turn to Enviro-Tech. Our
opossum control, trapping, and removal services are second to none. As
highly trained
wildlife removal specialists, you can count on us to take care of all your opossum control needs.
Our eco-friendly processes include:
- Using non-chemical treatments as our first line of defense
- Limiting our use of pesticides
- Undergoing regular training on humane removal
- Driving hybrid and electric service vehicles
Don’t just settle for any company, choose the team that always goes
the extra mile to deliver the high-quality wildlife control you deserve.
Choose Enviro-Tech Pest Services today.
For same-day opossum control, call
(800) 836-3089. We look forward to serving you!
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