Identify Pest: Opossum Infestations and Opossum Problems

Opossum problems are common throughout the New York area, and not just in rural and suburban areas. All boroughs of New York City have opossums, too.

Opossums are marsupials who weigh between about 12 to 14 pounds and are 15 to 20 inches long, from nose to tail. They have light grey fur, a long hairless tail, and pointed snouts, with a mouth containing 50 very sharp teeth. In the wild, opossums are opportunistic feeders, but tend to eat mostly meat, like insects, worms, bird eggs, voles, moles, or dead animal carcasses. Opossums usually have 3 or 4 dens, in hollow logs or trees, old squirrel nests, rock crevices, and brush heaps–and sometimes, openings in your home.

Opossum problems start if they get inside your property. Opossums present a series of health risks from their urine, feces, and a foul fluid they excrete from their rear. Opossums carry a host of diseases harmful to people and pets, like Leptospirosis, TB (Tuberculosis), Relapsing Fever, Tularemia, Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis. They can be fierce fighters, able to deliver a bite can be extremely painful and will require a visit to the hospital to not only treat the physical bite, but the host of diseases–including rabies–that they carry.

Getting rid of opossum problems usually requires trapping and removal. Unless you know what you are doing, it is a job best left to professionals.

Knockout Pest Control Can Knock Out Opossums

Knockout Pest Control is your local expert at knocking out opossums–and we keep them down for the count. Every member of our team receives over 100 hours of classroom instruction and in-the-field training so you are guaranteed a knockout punch to your pest problem every time. We serve all of Long Island, New York City, and Westchester and Rockland Counties. Call 1-800-244-PEST or 1-800-244-7378 We respond like every pest problem is an emergency with fast, 24 hour service seven days a week. We don’t have the big red boxing glove in our logo for nothing!