You get rid of possums in the garden by removing food sources and using a barrier, since opossums are drawn by fallen fruit and pet food. Opossums are nomadic and rarely cause lasting damage, so the fix is usually simple. Here is what works.
- Remove food sources like fallen fruit and pet food.
- Secure trash and compost.
- A fence or barrier protects the garden.
- Opossums are usually harmless and rarely carry rabies.
Remove the Food
Opossums come for food. Remove fallen fruit, bring in pet food at night, secure trash cans, and keep compost covered. Without food, the possum moves on. Not sure if this is a DIY job? Take the DIY vs. pro quiz first.
Secure the Garden
A fence around the garden, with the bottom buried or bent outward, keeps opossums out. Opossums climb, so a solid barrier with no footholds works better than a low fence. For more, see The 7 Best Possum Repellents.
Why Opossums Are Usually Fine
Opossums eat insects, slugs, and fallen fruit, and they rarely cause real damage. They are remarkably resistant to rabies. A possum passing through is often not worth removing.
Remove Shelter
Opossums hide in brush piles and under decks. Removing cover and sealing spaces under structures makes the garden less inviting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remove food sources like fallen fruit and pet food, secure trash, and fence the garden. Without food, the possum moves on.
They rarely cause serious damage, since they mostly eat insects, slugs, and fallen fruit. They are often more helpful than harmful.
Opossums are usually harmless and rarely carry rabies. They may hiss or play dead, but they are not aggressive.
Fallen fruit, pet food, unsecured trash, and compost. Removing these food sources makes the garden less inviting.
