Arizona’s gardens often host curious visitors like possums, but removing them isn’t as simple as it seems. There are important safety, legal, and environmental factors to consider.
These 8 tips help you make informed decisions for your yard and local wildlife. Take a moment to learn what Arizona gardeners should know before acting.
1. Pest Control Champions
Possums devour thousands of ticks, roaches, and other pests weekly. In Arizona’s warm climate, they’re natural exterminators working the night shift for free!
Many Arizona gardeners spend money on pest control when they already have helpful possums patrolling their yards. These marsupials even eat venomous scorpions without getting sick.
2. Snake Deterrents
Surprisingly resistant to rattlesnake venom, possums actually hunt and eat snakes. For Arizona gardens where rattlers are common, possums offer natural protection against these slithering threats.
Local Arizona wildlife experts confirm that gardens with regular possum visitors typically see fewer snake encounters. Their presence creates a natural barrier that many desert homeowners would otherwise pay for.
3. Tick Terminators
One possum can consume up to 5,000 ticks in a single season! This makes them invaluable allies in preventing tick-borne diseases that plague many Arizona outdoor spaces.
The hot Arizona climate creates perfect breeding conditions for ticks year-round. Possums groom themselves constantly, eating nearly every tick that attempts to latch onto their fur.
4. Garden-Friendly Habits
Unlike raccoons or rabbits, possums rarely damage gardens. They don’t dig extensive burrows, destroy plants, or create the chaos other wildlife might bring to your Arizona landscape.
Many Arizona master gardeners actually welcome these creatures. Possums prefer eating fallen fruit, insects, and small rodents instead of your prized vegetables or flowering plants.
5. Legal Protections
Did you know? In many parts of Arizona, removing or relocating possums without proper permits is against wildlife regulations. These animals are protected by state laws.
Arizona’s Department of Game and Fish requires special handling procedures for wildlife. Improper removal could result in fines, so check local regulations before taking action against these marsupial visitors.
6. Disease Resistance
Contrary to popular belief, possums rarely carry rabies due to their low body temperature. They’re actually helping reduce disease spread in your Arizona garden ecosystem!
The Arizona climate may be hot, but possums maintain their disease resistance year-round. They also consume carrion and waste that might otherwise attract more problematic animals to your property.
7. Temporary Visitors
Possums are nomadic and rarely stay in one location long. Your Arizona garden is likely just a temporary stop on their rounds, not a permanent residence they’re claiming.
Most Arizona gardeners report that possum visits naturally decrease after a few weeks. Their wandering nature means they’ll move on to new territory without intervention, solving your “problem” naturally.
8. Humane Deterrent Options
If coexistence isn’t working, try motion-activated sprinklers or lights. Arizona gardeners have success with natural deterrents like predator urine or strong-smelling herbs like mint.
The Arizona heat intensifies scent-based deterrents, making them extra effective. Remember that exclusion methods work better than removal – fix entry points to structures rather than trapping these beneficial creatures.