Finding a possum in your Maryland yard can be startling, especially when you’re tending to your prized vegetable garden or flower beds. These marsupials are common throughout our state, often appearing in suburban and rural areas where they can find food and shelter.
Before you rush to remove these critters from your property, there are several important things you should understand about their behavior and the role they play in Maryland’s backyard ecosystems.
1. They’re Actually Beneficial For Your Garden
Maryland gardens face constant threats from ticks, slugs, and other pests that can damage plants. These nocturnal visitors consume thousands of ticks annually, helping reduce Lyme disease risk in your yard.
Your vegetable patches and flower beds actually benefit from their presence. During my years of gardening in Baltimore County, I’ve noticed fewer pest problems in areas where these marsupials visit regularly.
They’ll also clean up fallen fruits and berries that would otherwise rot and attract less desirable wildlife to your yard. Think of them as free, all-natural pest control services working the night shift!
2. Maryland Law Protects Wildlife
Under state regulations, removing or relocating wildlife without proper permits can result in significant fines. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has specific guidelines homeowners must follow when dealing with these creatures.
Many well-meaning gardeners in our state make the mistake of trapping and relocating without knowing the legal requirements. I learned this lesson when my neighbor received a warning after improperly relocating one from his tomato garden.
Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are your best resource if removal becomes necessary. They understand both the legal requirements and humane handling practices essential for these Maryland natives.
3. Not Actually Aggressive Creatures
Despite their hissing display and mouth full of teeth, these marsupials rarely attack humans or pets. The infamous “playing dead” behavior happens when they feel threatened – it’s a stress response, not a tactical decision.
Your backyard visitors would much rather avoid confrontation altogether. Working in my herb garden last summer, I accidentally came within feet of one without any aggressive response – it simply waddled away when it noticed me.
Maryland’s native wildlife specialists confirm that bites are extremely rare. Most incidents occur only when someone attempts to handle them directly, which is never recommended regardless of how docile they may appear.
4. Natural Tick Control Champions
A single animal can consume up to 5,000 ticks in one season, making them incredible allies in Maryland’s battle against tick-borne diseases. The humid climate in our state creates ideal conditions for tick populations to thrive.
Your property benefits tremendously from their appetite. When I discovered this fact, I started appreciating the occasional visitor I spotted near my woodpile or garden shed.
Maryland’s increasing Lyme disease cases make these natural tick predators especially valuable. Rather than reaching for chemical tick treatments, consider the free ecological service these creatures provide to your lawn and garden areas.
5. Rabies Resistance Is Their Superpower
Unlike raccoons or foxes that might visit your Maryland property, these marsupials rarely carry rabies due to their naturally low body temperature. This biological advantage makes them safer neighbors than many other wild mammals.
The misconception about rabies risk leads many gardeners to unnecessarily fear these creatures. During my master gardener training in Howard County, this fact surprised most of my classmates.
Their immunity doesn’t extend to all diseases, but it does significantly reduce one major concern for homeowners with pets. This natural resistance is another reason to appreciate rather than fear finding one near your compost bin or berry bushes.
6. Temporary Visitors, Not Permanent Residents
Their nomadic nature means they rarely settle permanently in one location. Maryland’s varying seasonal food sources encourage them to move regularly between different yards and natural areas.
The visitor eating fallen crabapples under your tree today will likely move on within a few days. Last spring, I tracked one visiting my Silver Spring garden for just three nights before continuing its journey.
Understanding this transient behavior can save you unnecessary removal efforts. Most homeowners who wait a few days find that nature takes its course, and the uninvited guest moves along without intervention, especially once food sources are secured.
7. Prevention Is Better Than Removal
Simple modifications to your Maryland landscape can discourage unwanted visits without harming these beneficial creatures. Securing compost bins, removing fallen fruit, and eliminating ground-level water sources reduces your yard’s appeal.
Motion-activated lights work wonderfully as a deterrent. After installing solar-powered versions around my vegetable garden in Annapolis, nighttime visits decreased dramatically while still allowing these creatures to patrol woodland edges for ticks.
Maryland’s native plant enthusiasts often create wildlife-friendly yards that balance attracting beneficial creatures while keeping them away from specific garden areas. Strategic planning proves more effective than reactive removal efforts.
8. Mothers Carry Babies In Pouches
Female marsupials often carry up to 13 babies in their pouch during spring and early summer in Maryland. Removing a mother could orphan these young joeys, who depend entirely on maternal care for survival.
During my volunteer work at a Maryland wildlife center, we received numerous orphaned babies each year due to well-intentioned but harmful removal attempts. The rehabilitation process is intensive and less successful than maternal care.
Timing matters tremendously when considering removal options. Maryland’s breeding season typically runs February through September, making these months especially problematic for trapping or relocating these backyard visitors without creating orphans.
9. Professional Removal Requires Expertise
Hiring wildlife professionals familiar with Maryland’s specific regulations ensures humane and legal handling. These experts understand the proper techniques for removal that minimize stress to the animal and prevent return visits.
Many Maryland counties maintain lists of approved wildlife removal specialists. When my cousin in Baltimore County needed help, the county extension office provided excellent referrals to licensed professionals.
The cost typically ranges from $150-300 for humane removal services in our state. While this might seem expensive compared to DIY methods, the investment guarantees proper handling and compliance with Maryland’s wildlife protection laws.