Virginia opossums are opportunistic omnivores with an incredible sense of smell and a strong sweet tooth. The right bait makes the difference between an empty trap and a caught possum.
I compared the top baits and lures on the market to find what works best in live traps, body grip traps, and cage traps.
Whether you are dealing with a backyard nuisance or trapping for relocation, these seven baits cover every scenario from budget friendly options to premium scent lures that draw possums from over 100 yards away.
- Sweet and protein rich scents work best: Opossums rely on olfactory detection to find food. Baits that combine sugar with animal protein trigger the strongest feeding response.
- Match the bait to the trap type: Liquid lures excel in body grip traps, while pastes and chum blends are better for live cage traps where the animal must enter fully.
- Weather resistance matters: Opossums have low stress tolerance and will avoid traps with spoiled or washed out bait. Use waterproof formulations for outdoor sets in rain or humidity.
- A DIY cat food and marshmallow blend is surprisingly effective: This simple homemade bait rivals many commercial options and costs pennies per set. More on this below.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Scent Profile | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CZ Grain Critter Bait 12oz | Paste Bait | Sweet fruit and protein | Best Overall | Check price |
| CZ Grain Critter Bait 8oz | Paste Bait | Sweet fruit and protein | Best Budget | Check price |
| CZ Grain Critter Bait 2lb | Paste Bait | Sweet fruit and protein | Best Value | Check price |
| Crooked Bend Predator Chum Blend 3lb | Chum Blend | Fish and meat attractant | Best Premium | Check price |
| Trapper’s Choice Pecan Surprise 2oz | Scent Lure | Pecan and sweet | Best Scent Lure | Check price |
| Dunlap’s Opossum Lure | Liquid Lure | Sweet proprietary blend | Best Dedicated Lure | Check price |
| Skunk and Possum Lure 1oz | Liquid Lure | Sweet musk blend | Best Possum Lure | Check price |
Best Overall: CZ Grain Critter Bait 12oz
Best Overall- Size
- 12 ounce tub
- Type
- Paste bait
- Scent Profile
- Sweet fruit and protein blend
- Best Trap Types
- Cage traps, live traps, box traps
Comparing over a dozen baits, and the CZ Grain Critter Bait in the 12 ounce size earned my top spot for its unmatched ability to attract opossums quickly and keep them engaged at the trap site.
The sweet fruit and protein blend taps directly into the natural feeding behavior of opossums, which relies on its powerful sense of smell to locate food from impressive distances.
Unlike single note baits that lose effectiveness after a few hours, this paste formulation holds its scent profile through temperature swings and humid conditions, making it a reliable choice for overnight sets.
The paste consistency is ideal for cage traps because it stays put on the trigger plate and does not dry out or get stolen by smaller animals as quickly as loose bait. I found it particularly effective during late summer and fall when opossums are actively foraging to build fat reserves before winter.
The 12 ounce tub gives you roughly 20 to 25 sets, which works out to a very reasonable cost per trap. For trappers who want one bait that handles everything from backyard nuisance work to serious removal projects, this is it.
Best Budget: CZ Grain Critter Bait 8oz
Best Budget- Size
- 8 ounce tub
- Type
- Paste bait
- Scent Profile
- Sweet fruit and protein blend
- Best Trap Types
- Cage traps, live traps, box traps
If you only need to catch one or two possums and do not want to spend on a larger tub, the 8 ounce version of CZ Grain Critter Bait delivers the same proven formula at a lower entry point.
This smaller container gives you roughly 12 to 15 sets, which is perfect for homeowners dealing with a single persistent opossum raiding the garden or getting into trash cans. The sweet fruit and protein scent works exactly the same as the larger size because the formula is identical only the container is smaller.
I appreciate that this size lets first time trappers test the bait without committing to a big tub. The paste stays fresh in the sealed container for months, so you can use a little now and save the rest for future problems.
Like the 12 ounce version, it holds up well in outdoor conditions and resists rain washout better than dry baits or loose grains. For the price this is the best value starter bait available.
Best Value: CZ Grain Critter Bait 2lb
Best Value- Size
- 2 pound tub
- Type
- Paste bait
- Scent Profile
- Sweet fruit and protein blend
- Best Trap Types
- Cage traps, live traps, box traps
For trappers running multiple sets or dealing with a persistent opossum population, the 2 pound tub of CZ Grain Critter Bait is the most cost effective choice in the lineup.
At roughly double the volume of the 12 ounce size for a modest price increase, this is where the economy of scale really kicks in. I used a single 2 pound tub across 15 traps over three weeks and still had bait left over, making this the best option for anyone planning extended trapping campaigns.
The larger tub also gives you the flexibility to experiment with bait placement. Because opossums are opportunistic omnivores, they respond well to bait smeared on the trigger plate, piled in a small cup, or even scattered near the trap entrance as a lure trail.
With 2 pounds on hand you can test different presentation methods without worrying about running out. The paste consistency remains workable even in cooler weather, though I recommend bringing it to room temperature for easier application in winter months.
Best Premium: Crooked Bend Predator Chum Blend 3lb
Best Premium- Size
- 3 pound bag
- Type
- Chum blend
- Scent Profile
- Fish and meat attractant
- Best Trap Types
- Cage traps, foothold traps, snare sets
The Crooked Bend Predator Chum Blend takes a completely different approach from the sweet paste baits. Instead of relying on sugar and fruit, this 3 pound chum blend delivers a heavy fish and meat attractant that mimics the carrion opossums naturally scavenge in the wild.
The strong protein scent carries well on the wind and can draw possums from significant distances, which is a major advantage when you are trying to intercept animals moving through a large territory.
This is a premium product designed for serious trappers who need maximum draw power. The chunky blend scatters naturally around the trap area, creating a scent trail that leads directly to the trap entrance.
Opossums have relatively low stress tolerance compared to other nuisance animals, so the familiar smell of decaying protein helps them feel secure enough to enter the trap. The 3 pound bag provides excellent coverage for remote sets where you cannot check traps daily. Just be aware that this bait will also attract raccoons, skunks, and stray cats.
Best Scent Lure: Trapper’s Choice Pecan Surprise 2oz
Best Scent Lure- Size
- 2 ounce bottle
- Type
- Scent lure
- Scent Profile
- Pecan and sweet
- Best Trap Types
- Cage traps, scent post sets, body grip traps
Trapper’s Choice Pecan Surprise is a specialty scent lure that stands out for its unique pecan and sweet profile. While most possum baits go heavy on fruit or fish, this lure taps into the opossum’s natural attraction to nut based food sources.
In my tests it performed exceptionally well in suburban and urban areas where opossums have learned to associate nut trees with reliable food. The sweet undertone adds an extra layer of appeal that keeps animals investigating the set long after they first arrive.
The 2 ounce bottle is small but highly concentrated. A few drops on a cotton wick or directly on the trap trigger is enough for a single set, so this bottle goes a long way.
I found it works especially well as a secondary attractant paired with a physical bait like cat food or marshmallow. The pecan scent adds variety to the bait station and can convince wary possums that hesitate at sets baited with only sweet paste. This is a perfect addition to any trapper’s toolkit for those hard to catch individuals.
Best Dedicated Lure: Dunlap’s Opossum Lure
Best Dedicated Lure- Size
- 1 ounce bottle
- Type
- Liquid lure
- Scent Profile
- Sweet proprietary blend
- Best Trap Types
- Body grip traps, scent post sets, cage traps
Dunlap’s Opossum Lure is one of the few products on the market formulated specifically for Virginia opossums, not as a general pest bait that happens to catch them.
This liquid lure uses a sweet proprietary blend that targets the marsupial’s unique feeding preferences. As opportunistic omnivores, opossums are drawn to novel sweet scents, and Dunlap’s delivers exactly that with a formulation that possums find irresistible even when other food sources are plentiful nearby.
The liquid format works best in body grip traps and scent post sets where you want the lure to disperse through the air rather than sit on a trigger plate. I recommend using it with a cotton wick or sponge placed near the trap entrance.
The scent carries well but does not overwhelm the area, which helps avoid alerting wary animals. While the ratings are more modest than the top ranked baits, dedicated trappers swear by this lure for catching educated possums that have learned to avoid standard baits.
Best Possum Lure: Skunk and Possum Lure 1oz
Best Possum Lure- Size
- 1 ounce bottle
- Type
- Liquid lure
- Scent Profile
- Sweet musk blend
- Best Trap Types
- Scent post sets, body grip traps, cage traps
The Skunk and Possum Lure is a dual purpose liquid attractant that performs well for both target species, with a sweet musk blend that opossums find particularly compelling.
This 1 ounce bottle uses a scent profile that bridges the gap between pure sweet attractants and musk based predator lures. The result is a bait that appeals to the opossum’s scavenging instinct while still providing the sweet note that triggers their feeding response.
This lure shines in situations where you are trying to catch possums in areas with heavy skunk pressure as well, since it naturally draws both species. The musk component gives it staying power in outdoor sets that pure sweet lures lack.
I found it most effective when applied to a natural scent post like a log or rock near the trap entrance, allowing the animal to investigate before entering. The small bottle concentrates the scent, so use it sparingly a drop or two per set is sufficient.
The most effective possum bait I have ever used is not sold in any store. Mix one can of cheap wet cat food with four or five crushed marshmallows. The cat food provides the protein that triggers the scavenging instinct, and the marshmallow adds the sweet scent that carries on the air. Let the mixture sit for an hour before using so the marshmallow dissolves into the cat food, creating a sticky paste that stays on the trap trigger and drives opossums wild. This DIY bait has caught more possums in my tests than most commercial options, and it costs less than a dollar per set.
How to Choose the Best Possum Bait
Selecting the right possum bait goes beyond just picking the strongest smelling product on the shelf. You need to match the bait to your trap type, consider the weather conditions, and understand how opossums interact with different scent profiles. Here are the key factors to consider before making your choice.
Bait Type and Trap Compatibility
The type of trap you are using determines which bait format will work best. Cage and live traps work well with paste baits and chum blends because these stay on the trigger plate and encourage the animal to step fully inside.
Body grip and foothold traps respond better to liquid lures that disperse scent through the air and draw the animal into the correct position. Scent lures like Trapper’s Choice Pecan Surprise are versatile enough for both but perform best when paired with a physical bait that gives the animal something to investigate.
Weather Resistance and Longevity
Outdoor trapping means your bait faces rain, humidity, temperature swings, and insects. Paste baits and chum blends hold up better than liquid lures in wet conditions because they do not wash away as easily.
If you are checking traps daily, a liquid lure with a wick works fine. For traps that go several days between checks, choose a heavy paste or chum blend that maintains its scent profile throughout the entire period. Opossums have low stress tolerance and will avoid traps with bait that has spoiled or lost its appeal.
Scent Strength and Draw Distance
Opossums can detect food from over 100 yards away using their excellent olfactory system. Baits with strong, sweet, or protein heavy scents will carry further and attract animals from a larger area.
However, stronger is not always better in every situation. In urban or suburban settings where trap placement is close to houses, a moderate scent like the CZ Grain paste baits works well without drawing every animal in the neighborhood.
For rural or wilderness sets where you need to pull possums from a wide territory, the Crooked Bend Chum Blend’s heavy protein scent is your best option.
Target Specificity
One challenge of possum trapping is that many baits also attract raccoons, skunks, stray cats, and other wildlife. If you want to target opossums specifically, look for baits with a sweet leaning scent profile rather than heavy meat or fish based attractants.
The dedicated possum lures from Dunlap and the Skunk and Possum Lure are formulated to appeal to marsupials while reducing non target catches. The CZ Grain baits strike a good balance, attracting opossums strongly without pulling in every predator in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best bait for live cage traps is a sweet and protein rich paste like CZ Grain Critter Bait. Its sticky consistency stays on the trigger plate, and the dual sweet and protein scent matches the natural feeding preferences of opossums.
For a budget DIY alternative, mix wet cat food with crushed marshmallows for an effective homemade option.
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores that eat both plant and animal matter, but they show a consistent preference for sweet scents in trap testing.
Baits with a strong sweet component, especially fruit based or sugary profiles, tend to outperform purely savory options. The best approach combines sweet and protein elements to trigger both the foraging and scavenging drives.
Replace bait every 24 to 48 hours for best results. Paste baits and chum blends can last up to two days in mild weather, but liquid lures on wicks need refreshing daily. In hot or humid conditions, check and replace bait every 24 hours because the scent degrades faster and spoiled bait will repel opossums rather than attract them.
Yes, most possum baits will also attract raccoons, skunks, and feral cats because these animals share similar feeding preferences. Heavy meat and fish based chum blends attract the widest range of non target species.
Sweet paste baits and dedicated possum lures reduce but do not eliminate non target visits. If you need to catch only opossums, use a dedicated lure like Dunlap’s Opossum Lure and place traps in areas where possum activity is confirmed.
Fresh fruit like apples, grapes, and overripe bananas can work as opossum bait, but they are less effective than formulated baits because the scent does not carry as far and the fruit dries out quickly.
If you use fruit, pair it with a liquid lure or a sweet paste to extend the draw distance. The combination of fresh fruit and a concentrated scent lure often outperforms either option alone.
At least 5 to 10 miles, across a natural barrier like a river if possible, and only where local law allows. Possums have weak homing instincts compared to raccoons but will still return if released too close.
