You might spot a possum waddling through your Iowa yard at night and think about calling animal control. But before you do, consider what these misunderstood marsupials actually bring to your property.
Possums offer surprising benefits that many homeowners never realize, from pest control to disease prevention.
1. Nature’s Tick Vacuum Cleaners
Possums eat up to 5,000 ticks per season, making them incredible allies in the fight against Lyme disease. A single possum roaming your property can significantly reduce tick populations that threaten your family and pets.
Unlike chemical treatments that harm the environment, possums provide natural pest control without any side effects. Iowa’s wooded areas and tall grasses create perfect tick habitats, so having a possum around acts like having a free, eco-friendly exterminator working night shifts in your yard.
2. Snake Patrol On Duty
Did you know possums are immune to most snake venom? This remarkable trait makes them fearless hunters of venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlers that occasionally wander into Iowa properties.
When a possum encounters a snake, it doesn’t hesitate to make it dinner. Families with children playing outdoors gain an extra layer of protection when possums patrol the perimeter. Your yard becomes safer without you lifting a finger or spending money on snake deterrents.
3. Rodent Population Controllers
Rats and mice cause thousands of dollars in property damage annually by chewing through wires and insulation. Possums naturally compete with these rodents for food sources, which drives them away from your home’s foundation.
Rather than sharing space, rodents typically relocate when possums establish territory nearby. Your garage, shed, and crawl spaces stay cleaner and safer. Think of possums as neighborhood security guards keeping unwanted critters at bay without traps or poison.
4. Garden Cleanup Crew
Fallen fruit, rotting vegetables, and dead plants attract swarms of insects and other pests to your garden beds. Possums happily munch on this decaying organic matter, keeping your outdoor spaces tidy and reducing foul odors.
Many Iowa homeowners struggle with overripe tomatoes and apples littering their yards each season. Possums work overnight shifts clearing away this mess before it becomes a bigger problem. Your garden stays healthier, and you save time on cleanup chores every weekend morning.
5. Cockroach And Beetle Eliminators
Few things are more disgusting than finding cockroaches scurrying across your patio or beetles destroying your landscaping. Possums consider these insects delicious snacks and actively hunt them during their nightly rounds.
A possum’s diet includes beetles, cockroaches, crickets, and other creepy crawlers that invade Iowa homes when temperatures drop. By reducing insect populations outside, possums create a natural barrier that prevents bugs from finding their way indoors. Your pest control bills drop while your peace of mind increases.
6. Rabies-Resistant Neighbors
Possums have extremely low body temperatures that make it nearly impossible for the rabies virus to survive in their systems. While raccoons, skunks, and bats frequently carry rabies, possums pose virtually no risk to your family or pets.
Many people fear wild animals because of disease transmission, but possums are among the safest wildlife you’ll encounter. Iowa homeowners can relax knowing these marsupials won’t spread rabies through bites or scratches like other nocturnal visitors might.
7. Temporary Visitors Who Move Along
Possums are nomadic creatures that rarely stay in one location for more than a few days. Unlike raccoons that establish permanent dens, possums keep moving through neighborhoods searching for food and shelter.
Even if a possum takes temporary refuge under your deck or in your shed, it’ll likely disappear on its own within a week. Patience saves you the cost and hassle of removal services. Iowa’s changing seasons encourage possums to migrate naturally, making them low-maintenance neighbors who handle their own evictions.