How To Handle Possums With Babies in Your Attic

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Removing possums from your attic becomes more challenging when there are babies involved. Being a marsupial, possums don’t build a nest; the mother possum serves as the nest itself. Newborn opossums must quickly navigate to their mother’s pouch for nursing and further development. Only around half of this task was achieved due to their initial lack of sight and hearing.

Furthermore, swift action is essential to minimise potential damage, and it’s crucial to approach the removal process humanely. Dealing with baby opossums requires background knowledge and a clear understanding of handling the young possums and their mother. 

In such situations, it’s essential to act promptly and responsibly to ensure the well-being of the wildlife and prevent further complications in your home.

What Are the Signs of Possums With Babies in Your Attic?

While a baby possum infestation in an attic or living space may not pose an immediate threat like some other wildlife intrusions, it can still lead to potential problems. Listed are the signs of possums with babies in your attic:

  • Audible movements in the attic
  • Presence of sizable droppings throughout the attic space
  • Potential spread of pathogens and parasites within the house
  • Risk of baby opossums falling down walls from the attic
  • Possibility of unpleasant odours due to adult or baby possums dying in the attic
  • Damage to ducts and insulation in the attic caused by opossums

Why Is It Important To Address Possums in Your Attic, Especially When They Have Babies?

Addressing possums in your attic is crucial, particularly when they have babies. The presence of possums in the attic poses potential risks to your property. These creatures are known to cause damage by gnawing on electrical wires, which can create a fire hazard, and tearing up insulation in search of nesting materials. 

 

Additionally, accumulating possum droppings and urine can lead to unpleasant odours and attract other pests, compromising the hygiene and comfort of your living space. Addressing a possum infestation promptly becomes crucial to prevent these issues and safeguard both your property and the well-being of the possums.

How Can Homeowners Effectively Prevent Possums From Returning to Their Attic Nesting Spots?

Possums in Australia, being nocturnal creatures, can cause disturbances for human residents with their nighttime activities, including howling and screeching. Their behaviour extends to turning over garbage bins and marking their territory with traces of urine. 

Some homeowners are surprised when they discover opossums living on their roofs, leading to the challenge of safely removing them from their homes. Here are the tips on how to effectively remove possums from their attic nesting spots:

Eliminate factors that attract possums

Preventing opossum infestations involves removing or securing food sources, water supplies, and potential shelters. Avoid leaving pet food or trash outside overnight, as these can attract opossums. 

Furthermore, if you have fruit-bearing plants, pick up fallen crops. When disposing of these items, use sealable trash bags to deter opossums from rummaging through garbage cans.

Close off access points

Opossums can access homes through various entry points, with crevices or gaps in roof tiles being common culprits. Holes in walls also provide potential entry, making it crucial to identify these points. 

An effective method involves sprinkling flour near suspected entry points to identify footprints. If opossum footprints are present, and the opening is large enough for a cat to pass through, an opossum is likely to inhabit the roof. Patch the hole and place a trap nearby to capture the opossum for safe release.

Construct a shelter box for nesting

Identify the opossum nest, typically in the roof or attic, and transfer it to the prepared box. To entice the opossum into the nest, strategically place pieces of fruit near or inside the box.

 

While a homeowner can undertake this do-it-yourself method, caution is paramount. Avoid inhaling or touching the nest without proper protection and gloves, as the opossum’s excretions in the nest and its vicinity pose health risks.

Seek assistance from professionals to remove opossums

Dealing with a possum infestation requires prompt action. While there are DIY solutions available, it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional possum removal service for the safety and well-being of both individuals and the possums.

Before attempting DIY measures, consulting with a possum removal expert in Sydney is recommended to determine the most suitable course of action. These professionals can assess the situation and recommend the most effective and humane possum removal methods.

Who Should Be Contacted for Professional Assistance When Facing Possum Issues in Your Home?

Encountering an opossum within your home can be unsettling, and while DIY tips are accessible and cost-effective, they may not always be the most effective solution. For a humane and safe removal of opossums, consider reaching out to Possum Rid.

Our professional services are designed to successfully eliminate opossums from your property and implement preventative measures to deter their return. We are not only eliminating opossums, but we are also a top rat pest control company. Contact us today for assistance with opossum removal and other wildlife-related concerns on your property.

Reviewing Possum Rid’s Google Business Profile provides insights into customer experiences with their services for those unsure about where to begin. Choosing Possum Rid ensures that you are in capable hands. Reach out to them for a free quote and take the first step toward resolving your possum infestation.



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