Did you know the American opossums are the United States' only marsupial? They serve an important purpose in our environment: eating up to 5,000 ticks per season. Many Pittsburgh residents are well-aware of opossums' unique defense of "playing dead" to avoid drawing attention to themselves. Also, opossums carry some deadly diseases and can be potentially aggressive if they feel threatened. If you spot opossums in your yard, don't attempt to remove them yourself; call Critter Control of Greater Pittsburgh today or reach us through our contact form!
Getting Rid of Opossums
Opossums live in urban settings, woodland areas, and open fields. They are very adaptable animals; once they make it into your Pittsburgh home or property, they will also make it their home. Opossums will take advantage of any food source they can get their paws on, such as pet food. Their diet usually consists of insects, small rodents, amphibians, fruit, berries, and garbage.
Common Opossum Problems
- They become very aggressive when cornered, often hissing and showing their teeth.
- Opossums carry diseases like tuberculosis and tularemia.
- Opossums are usually infested with other parasites, including fleas, ticks, and lice.
- The animal may enter through pet doors in search of food or shelter.
- More commonly, though, you may find opossums under the porch, in the yard, shed or a brush pile.
- When searching for food, opossums often look in garbage cans, gardens, pet foods, and compost piles (much like raccoons).
Opossum Trapping & Removal
Because they are a wild animal, opossums carry diseases and parasites, Pittsburgh homeowners should never try to attempt DIY opossum removal. You can trust the professionals at Critter Control of Greater Pittsburgh to have the proper training, knowledge, and tools to capture and remove pest opossums from homes and businesses. We can help you get rid of your opossum problems. Call today!
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