Possums are persistent scavengers that raid garbage cans, gardens, and pet food bowls. Controlling them requires a combination of trapping, baiting, and exclusion.
I compared seven possum control products including baits, traps, and trash can locks to find the most effective solutions for different infestation levels and property types. For more wildlife control tips, visit my possum control hub.
- Live traps are the most humane option: Possums can be relocated easily with cage traps. A 32 inch by 10 inch live trap is sufficient for adult Virginia opossums, which average 24 to 30 inches in length including the tail for most adult possums.
- Scent baits and lures improve trap success: Possums are attracted to strong smelling baits like fish, fruit, and commercial predator lures.
- Exclusion prevents return: Sealing entry points under decks, porches, and sheds is essential for long term possum control after trapping.
- Trash can locks stop food source access: Possums are attracted to garbage. Securing cans with raccoon proof locks eliminates their primary food source.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widowmaker Paste Bait | Bait paste | Best Bait | Check price |
| SEBOSS Hardware Cloth 1/4 in | Wire mesh | Best Exclusion | Check price |
| Crooked Bend Chum Blend | Scent lure | Best Scent Lure | Check price |
| Live Animal Cage Trap | Cage trap | Best Trap | Check price |
| HOMESTEAD Heavy Duty Trap | Pro trap | Best Heavy Trap | Check price |
| YYDSDOTA Lid Lock | Can lock | Best Can Lock | Check price |
| TonGass Wire Rope Lock 4 Pack | Wire lock | Best Wire Lock | Check price |
Detailed reviews of each product covering effectiveness, application, and safety follow below.
Best Bait: Mark June’s Widowmaker Paste Bait (16 oz)
Best Bait- Type
- Paste bait for live traps
- Target
- Possums, raccoons, skunks
- Scent
- Strong fish based attractant
- Quantity
- 16 ounce container
Widowmaker paste bait is a professional grade bait formulated for possums, raccoons, and other medium sized pests. The paste has a strong fishy scent that attracts possums from a distance. It is applied directly to the trigger plate of a live trap and stays sticky in most weather conditions.
The 16 ounce container provides enough bait for dozens of trap sets. A pea sized amount is sufficient for each trap. The paste is weather resistant and does not wash off easily in light rain.
Best Exclusion: SEBOSS Hardware Cloth 1/4 Inch (48 in x 50 ft)
Best Exclusion- Type
- Galvanized welded wire mesh
- Mesh size
- 1/4 inch, 23 gauge
- Dimensions
- 48 inches x 50 feet
- Finish
- Galvanized for rust resistance in damp ground
Exclusion is what actually ends a possum problem, and this is the material to do it with. The roll is 1/4 inch mesh, 23 gauge, 48 inches wide by 50 feet, which is the size that lets you skirt the base of a deck or a shed in one piece instead of piecing together offcuts.
The gauge is what makes it work underground. Low carbon steel wire with a rust resistant galvanized finish will sit in damp soil for years, which is the whole point of an L shaped barrier: you dig a shallow trench, bend the bottom edge outward and bury it, and a possum that digs under the structure meets wire it cannot get past. A 23 gauge mesh at quarter inch spacing is also small enough to stop rats and snakes at the same time, so the job is done once.
Buy gloves with it. Cut wire edges are sharp, and the roll is heavy enough that you will want two people for a long skirt.
Best Scent Lure: Crooked Bend Predator Chum Blend
Best Scent Lure- Type
- Scent lure chum blend
- Target
- Possums, raccoons, coyotes, foxes
- Scent
- Meat and fish based attractant
- Best used with
- Live traps and food baits
Crooked Bend chum blend is a scent lure designed to attract omnivorous scavengers like possums, raccoons, and coyotes. The blend of meat and fish based attractants creates a powerful scent trail that draws possums from their hiding spots to your trap location. Apply a small amount near the trap entrance and on the trigger plate.
The lure works by triggering the possum natural foraging instinct. Possums are not picky eaters, and the strong scent of the chum blend is almost irresistible. It is particularly useful for wary possums that are cautious about entering traps.
Best Trap: Live Animal Cage Trap
Best Trap- Type
- Folding live cage trap
- Size
- 32 x 10 x 11 inches
- Material
- Galvanized steel wire
- Features
- Folding, carrying handle, rear door
This folding live animal cage trap is sized appropriately for possums and other medium sized pests. The 32 inch length provides adequate interior space for an adult possum, and the heavy duty wire construction prevents escapes. The treadle trigger plate is sensitive enough to catch possums without being triggered by smaller animals.
The trap folds flat for storage and includes a carrying handle. The rear door allows for easy baiting and release without reaching into the trap from the front. Bait with fish, fruit, or commercial paste bait for best results.
Best Heavy Trap: HOMESTEAD Heavy Duty Live Trap
- Type
- Professional live cage trap
- Size
- 32 x 10 x 12 inches
- Material
- Heavy gauge galvanized steel
- Best for
- Regular or professional trapping
The HOMESTEAD heavy duty live trap is built for professional trappers who need a trap that will survive years of regular use. The heavy gauge wire and reinforced door latch provide maximum security against escapes. The 32 inch size is suitable for possums and the professional grade construction ensures reliable trigger performance.
The one door design includes a rear loading door for baiting and release. The trap is heavier than standard traps but the added weight comes from thicker wire and stronger components that last longer.
Best Can Lock: YYDSDOTA Trash Can Lid Lock
Best Can Lock- Type
- Metal hasp lid lock
- Target
- Possums, raccoons, bears
- Material
- Powder coated steel
- Installation
- Screw mount, permanent
Possums are attracted to garbage cans as a food source. The YYDSDOTA metal hasp lock secures the can lid with a rigid locking arm that possums cannot open. The metal construction resists chewing and the sliding latch mechanism is simple for humans but impossible for animals to operate.
Eliminating food sources is a critical part of possum control. A locked trash can removes the primary attractant and makes your property less appealing to possums, reducing the need for trapping.
Best Wire Lock: TonGass Garbage Trash Can Lock (4 Pack)
Best Wire Lock- Type
- Wire rope and hasp lock, 4 pack
- Included
- 4 wire ropes, 8 square eye plates, snap hooks, screws
- Material
- Stainless steel hasps, nylon coated steel wire
- Installation
- No power drill required, fits flat and hinged lids
- Best for
- Possums, raccoons and dogs, not bears
A wire rope lock is the answer for the bin nobody makes a latch for. Each lock is a stainless steel hasp with a nylon coated steel wire, and you fit it yourself: the kit includes four wire ropes, eight square eye plates, snap hooks and screws, enough to secure four bins.
The reason to choose wire over a rigid bar is fit. Steel wire wraps around the handle and over the lid on a round can, an oval can or one of those wheeled bins, and it takes the slack out of a lid that does not sit flush. The stainless steel hasp then takes a padlock, which is what puts the job beyond a possum’s paws.
Installation does not need a power drill, which is the other advantage for a rented house, and the whole kit is about the price of two coffees. What it is not is a bear lock, and the nylon coating will wear where it rubs against a sharp handle over a few seasons.
Tips for Effective Possum Control
- Eliminate food sources first: Secure garbage cans, remove pet food bowls at night, and clean up fallen fruit from trees before trapping.
- Seal entry points: Possums enter through gaps under decks, porches, and sheds. Install wire mesh or hardware cloth to block access after trapping.
- Use strong smelling bait: Canned mackerel, sardines, or commercial paste bait on the trigger plate works best for possum traps.
- Relocate promptly: Check traps daily and relocate captured possums within 12 hours. Release at least 5 miles away in suitable habitat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canned mackerel or sardines are excellent baits because of their strong fishy smell. Overripe fruit like bananas or apples also works well. Commercial paste baits like Widowmaker are formulated specifically for possums and raccoons and are among the most effective options.
Possums do not have strong homing instincts like raccoons, so a relocation distance of 3 to 5 miles is sufficient. Release the possum in a wooded area with access to water and shelter. Check local wildlife regulations before relocating.
Possums are generally not aggressive and will play dead, hiss, or bare their teeth when threatened. They rarely bite but can carry diseases including leptospirosis and tuberculosis. Wear heavy gloves when handling traps and avoid direct contact with the animal.
Food, water, and shelter. Pet food left out, unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, and open access under decks and sheds are the main draws. Removing these attractants is the first and most important step in possum control.
They can tear up lawns looking for grubs, nest in attics and under structures, and knock over garbage. Most possum damage comes from nesting and foraging, so exclusion and removing food sources usually stop the problem.
Possums are generally not federally protected and are treated as nuisance wildlife in most states, but some states and municipalities have rules about how they may be trapped or relocated. Check your local wildlife agency before trapping.
