5 Humane Strategies Mobile Home Owners Need to Deter Possums

Some of us find possums adorable; some of us, not so much. But, they are actually pretty beneficial to have on a property. Just not necessarily under our mobile home.

Let’s look at how to get rid of the marsupials under your mobile home humanely and safely.

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How do I get rid of possums under my mobile home?

It’s understandable if you don’t want a rat-like animal squatting underneath your home. It’s like it’s paying rent.

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While possums are nuisances, they aren’t dangerous and aren’t fighters. The critter will actually just freeze in place and sometimes really play dead.

Check for Entry Points

Cracks and holes in mobile home skirting are an invitation to a possum to come right on in. Who can blame them?

Possums leave game trails of stomped grass. Sometimes, following those trails will lead you to the spot they’re sneaking into. If anything, you can at least map out a rodent’s comings and goings for future reference.

How long will it take to get rid of a possum?

It only takes 2 to 3 days for a possum to realize they aren’t welcome and find another grazing ground. Possums to stick around, anyway, because they are mostly transient.

Remove All Food Sources

• Given it only takes a few days, it isn’t too hard to hide all of the food, including garbage cans and outdoor pet food.
• As long as they have a food source, they are far less likely to be transient and just decide to stay.
• Some people have the best of intentions and feed possums scraps and pet food. But, you actually may be putting the wild animals in danger by removing their fear of people.
• While possums aren’t vicious, they won’t hesitate to become more food-aggressive if they are people-friendly.
• You will even want to clean your grill and pick up any birdseed feeders. You need to remove all food options from a possum.
• It isn’t just the food, either. You will need to remove water options from possums, such as fountains, outdoor water bowls, and dripping faucets.

Replace Damaged Skirting

Sometimes just replacing your skirting entirely is enough to deter them from finding a way under the mobile home.

Patching won’t always do the job. But, you can replace sections without having to do a complete overhaul. 

If you have homeowners insurance that covers the skirting, keep all of your receipts and invoices for reimbursement, along with time-stamped photos of the damage.

What can I put under my mobile home to keep animals away?

If you’re looking for a good tried and true method, moth balls are always a way to go. Spreading them out deters all sorts of animals from getting too close to your home.

Sprinkling Cheyenne pepper or other pungent spices around your mobile home puts up a scent barrier between wildlife and you.

Discourage Digging

So, possums don’t really dig. You might see shallow, annoying holes where they’ve scrounged up a grub or crawfish, but they aren’t trying to tunnel anywhere.

But, you can discourage other critters like raccoons and squirrels from tunneling underneath the mobile home by sprinkling chili or habanero flakes around and under the skirting. (it tends to keep kids from crawling underneath, too.)

You will need to remember to reapply the spicy deterrent after it rains.

Scare Them Away

Possums are stupid and easy to scare. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers will frighten them into freezing, and then they run away as fast as their little legs will take them.

The grey and white marsupials are mostly nocturnal and really tend to avoid any lighting. Sprinklers work on your elderly possums that aren’t as skittish.

Oh, and don’t give them places to hide and wait you out. Go ahead and get those stumps and fallen trees out of your yard, and prune all of your shrubbery.

Call a Professional

While possums aren’t particularly tricky, it isn’t always easy to shoo them away. 

Professional animal removal services have the skills and equipment to remove live possums from your property humanely. 

You want to go with a critter control or wildlife removal service that doesn’t use chemicals. Repellents and poisons often affect pets, other wildlife, and plant life. 

Oh, and most registered toxins don’t even affect possums or opossums. And they don’t deserve a death sentence. Possums will possum, and they actually are beneficial to have around. (as long as they aren’t a nuisance)

How much does it cost to get rid of possums professionally?

Professional outdoor possum removal will typically run you $150 to $250.

If the little critter makes it inside by chance, the price goes up to sometimes as much as $500.

What scent keeps possums away?

Possums have really good noses, but there are household items that throw up a solid scent barrier.

• camphor
• garlic
• onion
• hot peppers
• molasses
• wolf’s urine
• ammonia
• pet fur

Should I let a possum live under my house?

It really depends on the possum and who you’re listening to. Possums don’t do a ton of property damage. They might dig a shallow hole or two to scavenge for food, but in some cases, that’s what you want them to do.

For some, a possum is a natural pest control method. The marsupials balance an environment’s ecosystem and help you eliminate far more annoying pests.

• snakes
• small rodents
• beetles
• cockroaches
• snails & slugs

Possums vs Opossums

Firstly, a possum is an opossum, but an opossum isn’t a possum.

If there’s a possum stuck underneath your mobile home, chances are it is a North American opossum. You can refer to the grey and white marsupials as both possum or opossum (they’re said the exact same way)

You can find different varieties of possums in Australia, New Guinea, Sulawesi, and China. While related to opossums in the US, they are different animals.

Kangaroos and possums are members of the same family. Does it make you like them a little more?

Frequently Asked Questions

What scent keeps possums away?

The scent of vinegar, garlic, onion, peppermint, and camphor can be used as natural repellents to keep possums away from gardens, trash cans, and other areas where they may be unwanted, in addition to ammonia and mothballs.

Are possums aggressive?

Possums are not aggressive. Their open-mouth, defensive hissing is simply a tactic to appear fierce, and if that fails, they will play dead when extremely frightened. If you have an opossum in your backyard, there is no need to worry. They pose no threat, and it is highly probable that they will leave soon.

What scent repels raccoons and possums?

The scent that repels raccoons and possums is hot pepper. Keeping hot pepper in areas where these critters often visit for an extended period of time is effective as it irritates their sense of smell. To deter raccoons from your property, you can create a mixture of equal amounts of onion, pepper, and water.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a possum?

The fastest way to eliminate a possum is by installing motion-activated lights or sprinklers in your yard to frighten them away. Additionally, ensure that food sources are inaccessible by securely closing trash can lids, feeding pets indoors, and promptly removing fallen fruit from trees or bushes. Another effective method is to capture possums using a live-holding cage trap.

How do you get rid of possums forever?

To get rid of possums forever, you can effectively prevent these critters from staying by eliminating or securing food sources, water sources, and potential opossum habitats. If you leave pet food or trash outside overnight, you are inviting them to feast. Additionally, if you have fruit-bearing plants on your property, make sure to remove any crops left on the ground.

How did a possum get in my mobile home?

A possum likely got into your mobile home by moving through the ductwork or entering through large gaps around pipes and drains under sinks. Opossums usually enter areas that already have openings, as they are not destructive or strong. In contrast, raccoons tend to create their own openings.

Will a possum go away on its own?

A possum will go away on its own if there is little or no food available to them. It is important to keep curious children and pets away from opossums, as people and pets can be bitten if they get too close or attempt to grab the animal.

Will possums tear up your house?

Possums can cause significant damage to your house, particularly to the roof and building structure, as they try to enter your attic. Once they gain access, they tend to enlarge their entry hole and create additional points of entry, facilitating their movement in and out of the area.

How long will a possum stay in your house?

A possum will generally stay in your house for a short period of time. Once inside, they can usually be encouraged to leave with the help of a broom. Opossums typically do not stay in one area for more than a few nights, so there is no need to worry about them taking over your space. In some cases, a mother possum with babies might stay a bit longer, but they will eventually leave as well.

Should I let a possum live under my house?

It is important to remove a possum living under your house as soon as possible, as they often seek shelter in warm, dark spaces like attics and crawl spaces.

What does a possum hole look like?

A possum hole can be identified by small holes dug in the area. These holes are shallow and are created by possums in their search for grubs and other insects. Although not very deep, they can still cause disruption to the lawn.

What brings possums around?

Possums are attracted to our neighborhoods due to the availability of water, pet food left out at night, and overripe, rotting fruit that has fallen from trees. This nocturnal creature plays a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness of our neighborhoods by eliminating unwanted garden pests and rodents, which can potentially carry diseases.

Can possums get through walls?

Possums can indeed get through walls. They tend to choose attics, porches, or sheds as their nesting spots, but they are also capable of living inside walls. Sometimes, they may become trapped or simply find the walls to be a comfortable habitat. It is important to treat this issue seriously, as with any other pest infestation.

Can possums get in your walls?

Possums can indeed find their way into your walls. They are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the night. If you suspect that possums are trapped inside your walls, removing them is not an easy task. It is not only challenging to extract them but there is also a risk of possums becoming trapped and perishing within the walls.

Why does a possum keep coming back to my house?

A possum keeps coming back to your house because decks and crawl spaces can provide a suitable habitat for them, particularly if they are dark and secluded. Opossums are also attracted to pet food and water left outside especially cat food.

Will lights keep possums away?

Lights will not keep possums away. Installing motion-activated sprinklers or lights can be quite costly, but it can be a successful method if you’re struggling to keep them at bay. The sudden presence of light or water will frighten the opossums and discourage them from returning. For dealing with nocturnal predators and pest animals, Predator Guard’s Solar LED Deterrent Lights are highly effective.

What irritates possums?

Possums are irritated by the smell of hot peppers, pet fur, garlic, and onion.

What animal is a possum scared of?

Possums are naturally wary animals that frequently evade potential threats. They tend to be cautious around domesticated dogs and cats, which are among their potential predators. To deter possums, it may be effective to have a dog or cat present in the vicinity. The larger the dog or cat, the more likely it is to intimidate possums.

What is the natural predator of a possum?

The natural predators of a possum include dogs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, large hawks, and great horned owls. It is highly unlikely for opossums to have rabies. Opossums exhibit defensive behavior by baring their 50 sharp teeth and hissing or growling when frightened, but their preference is to avoid confrontation and be left undisturbed.

Do fake owls scare possums?

Fake owls can be effective in scaring possums, as possums consider owls to be their most common predator. Additionally, for possums that are causing damage by eating small plants and vegetables, there is a product called Poss Off that can be used to deter them.

What animal kills possums fast?

Owls, along with other natural predators such as coyotes, foxes, large dogs, bobcats, and even house pets, are known to swiftly kill possums.