A possum under the house is easier to deal with than you’d think, if you go about it in the right order: find the hole, get the animal out without trapping it inside, then close the hole for good. I’ll walk you through it the way I’d actually do it.
- Find the entry point first. Look for droppings, tracks, and worn-down ground near foundation gaps.
- Use a one-way exclusion door over the main entry so the possum can leave but not get back in.
- A live trap works as a backup, baited with something smelly like canned fish.
- Seal every gap with hardware cloth after you’re sure the possum is out.
- Don’t seal a possum in, especially in spring and summer when babies may be under there.
Find the Entry Point
Walk the foundation and look for:
- Gaps between the foundation and the ground
- Damaged or missing crawlspace vents
- Droppings near an opening
- A worn-down path in the dirt leading to a gap
- Scratching sounds under the floor
- A musky smell near the foundation
Get the Possum Out
- Put a one-way exclusion door over the main entry. The possum pushes through to leave but can’t come back in. Leave it in place for about a week.
- Set a live trap near the entry as a backup, baited with canned fish, sardines, or fruit. Cover the floor of the trap with leaves so the metal doesn’t spook it.
- Check the trap every few hours. Don’t leave a possum trapped longer than you have to. Cover the trap with a towel to calm it down.
- Call a pro if you can’t find the entry point or you suspect there are babies under there.
One note on relocating a trapped possum: a lot of states restrict or discourage moving wildlife, and a relocated possum often doesn’t survive in unfamiliar territory. Check your local rules before you release one somewhere else, and don’t just dump it in a park.
Seal the Opening for Good
Once you’re sure the possum is out:
- Bury hardware cloth along the foundation gap so nothing can dig back under.
- Fasten it with screws and washers so it can’t be pushed aside.
- Backfill with dirt over the buried edge.
- Repair any damaged crawlspace vents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scratching sounds under the floor, a musky smell near the foundation, droppings near an opening, and worn paths in the dirt are the usual signs. You might also catch it coming and going at night.
Sometimes, if there’s no food and no good den. But a warm, dry spot under the house is exactly what it wants, so it may stay for good. A one-way door or a live trap is the reliable way to move it along.
Not directly. Possums use gaps that are already there. But they can tear up insulation, leave droppings, and cause a smell. Sealing the foundation keeps out possums and everything else.
It varies by area and whether you hire someone. A DIY job is just the cost of hardware cloth, a trap, and bait. A pro who installs an exclusion door and seals the entry will charge more. Get a written quote before you agree to anything.
The Bottom Line
Find the hole, use a one-way door or a live trap to get the possum out, and then seal the gap with hardware cloth so it can’t come back. Whatever you do, don’t seal a possum inside, and if there may be babies under there, call a professional.
