Opossums and Opossum Removal

If you have, or suspect you may have an Opossum problem, please call Wildlife Solutions at 1-800-246-9453 to talk to one of our experts. You can also contact us here.

Opossums are the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere. Originally thought to have been introduced to the Midwestern United States during the days of the Great Depression (possibly as a food source), their flexible diet and reproductive strategies have allowed them to spread rapidly throughout much of North America.

Opossums are primarily nocturnal, although in rare circumstances they can be seen during the day. Adult opossums range in size from approximately two to three feet long and weigh approximately 10 to 20 pounds. Although their preferred diet is insects, they are omnivorous, eating plants, animal food, and roadkill.

Opossums mate almost all year round. A female opossum may have as many as three litters per year. The typical gestation period for an opossum is 11-13 days. Once born, the young will migrate from the birth canal into the mothers pouch, where they remain for approximately 2 more months. While over 20 infants may be born, due to the number of teats, typically less than 13 will survive. As the young grow to be too large to fit in their mother's pouch they will move from the pouch to the mother's back where they will learn the skills needed to survive. 

While they can occasionally be found in attic spaces, tree hollows, and other lofty areas, opossums are more commonly found nesting in crawlspaces under homes, terrestrial burrows that other animals (such as armadillos) have created, and other dark, secluded, low-lying areas.

Common opossum complaints we receive here at Wildlife Solutions include: opossums in trash cans, opossums in crawlspaces, opossums in attics, and opossums damaging yards in search of insects. 

Wildlife Solutions' staff are experts in opossum removal, opossum trapping, opossum control, opossum proofing, and damage restoration. Typical solutions include:

• An inspection to identify damage and potential entry points
• Trapping and removal of the offending animals
• Exclusion of any potential entry points
• Removal of fecal matter and damaged insulation
• Cleanup of biological attractants

NOTE TO HOMEOWNERS: Often times opossum services are covered under home owner’s insurance policies.

For more information please call 1-800-2-GO-WILD or see our What We do and Pricing pages.