Spotting a possum in your Texas yard can be startling, but these critters aren’t always the nuisance we think they are. Before you grab that trap or call an exterminator, there are some important facts every homeowner should know about these misunderstood marsupials.
Understanding possums and the laws that protect them can save you time, money, and unnecessary wildlife conflicts.
1. Possums Are Actually Beneficial For Your Garden
Many Texas homeowners don’t realize that possums are nature’s pest controllers. They gobble up ticks, cockroaches, and rats that might otherwise invade your home. A single possum can eat up to 5,000 ticks in one season!
Garden enthusiasts might be surprised to learn these creatures also feast on slugs and snails that damage plants. Rather than rushing to remove them, consider the free pest management services they provide.
2. Legal Protection Status In Texas
Under Texas law, possums are classified as fur-bearing animals. This means you can’t just trap or relocate them without proper permits in many situations. Homeowners caught illegally removing possums could face fines.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has specific regulations about wildlife removal. Before taking action, check current rules or consult with a wildlife professional to avoid legal troubles. Proper permits may be required depending on your county.
3. Possums Rarely Carry Rabies
Fear of rabies drives many removal attempts, but possums rarely carry this disease. Their low body temperature makes it difficult for the rabies virus to survive in their system.
Unlike raccoons or skunks, possums pose minimal rabies risk to your family or pets. Their tendency to play dead when threatened is often mistaken for sickness. Most possum hissing and drooling is just a defense mechanism, not a sign of disease.
4. Temporary Visitors, Not Permanent Residents
Possums are nomadic by nature and rarely stick around one property for long. A possum in your yard today might be gone within a week as it continues its natural foraging circuit.
Unless they’ve found an ideal den in your attic or under a deck, possums typically move on their own. Patient homeowners often discover the “problem” resolves itself without intervention. Their transient lifestyle means you may only need to wait them out.
5. Humane Removal Methods That Actually Work
When removal becomes necessary, gentle deterrents often prove most effective. Motion-activated sprinklers, lights, or radios tuned to talk stations can discourage possums without causing harm.
Natural repellents like predator urine (available at garden centers) or sprinkling cayenne pepper around problem areas can create unwelcoming environments. Remember that killing or inhumanely trapping possums often creates vacant territory that new possums will quickly fill.
6. Identifying Property Vulnerabilities
Possums don’t damage property like some wildlife, but they’ll happily occupy existing openings. Inspect your home for gaps under decks, broken vents, or damaged roof areas that might serve as entry points.
Securing trash cans with bungee cords eliminates easy meals. Remove fallen fruit from trees and consider feeding pets indoors. By addressing these attractants, you make your property less appealing without direct confrontation with the animals themselves.
7. Baby Season Considerations
Female possums carry their babies in pouches and later on their backs. Removing a mother possum during baby season (typically February through September in Texas) often orphans young possums who cannot survive alone.
If you spot a possum with babies clinging to her back, this is a temporary situation. The mother will move her family once the young are old enough to travel. Waiting just a few weeks can prevent unnecessary suffering.
8. Professional Wildlife Removal Services
When DIY methods fail, certified wildlife removal specialists offer humane solutions. Look for companies that guarantee no-kill practices and proper relocation protocols. Ask about their licensing and Texas-specific experience with possums.
Expect to pay between $150-300 for professional removal in most Texas areas. While this seems expensive, professionals can identify entry points and install exclusion measures to prevent future problems. Their expertise often provides longer-lasting solutions than DIY attempts.
9. Preventing Future Possum Problems
Smart landscaping choices can naturally deter possums from settling in. Trim tree branches that hang over your roof, as these create highways for possums to access your home.
Install barriers around decks and sheds using hardware cloth buried at least 6 inches deep. Motion-sensor lights can discourage nighttime visitors. Remember that possums are looking for food, water, and shelter – eliminate these resources and they’ll seek accommodations elsewhere.
10. When Possums Actually Need Your Help
Occasionally, you’ll encounter a truly injured or sick possum. Signs include daytime activity (possums are nocturnal), visible wounds, or inability to move when approached. In these cases, contacting a wildlife rehabilitator is the right move.
Texas has licensed wildlife rehabilitators who specialize in possum care. Keep the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition’s number handy: (713) 468-8972. They can guide you or connect you with local resources to help the animal recover properly.