It’s easy to assume possums are a nuisance, but Maine homeowners might want to think twice. I’ve watched them quietly help gardens by cleaning up unwanted pests.
These little creatures often do more good than harm. You might be surprised at why keeping them around isn’t such a bad idea.
1. Natural Tick Control Experts
Possums eat thousands of ticks each season, making them nature’s pest control team. A single possum can gobble up around 5,000 ticks in one season, which is fantastic news for families in Maine who love spending time outdoors.
With Lyme disease being a real concern across the state, having these critters around actually protects your family. They groom themselves constantly and eat any ticks they find, preventing these parasites from latching onto you or your pets.
2. Free Cleanup Crew for Your Property
Think of possums as your personal cleanup service that works for free. They munch on fallen fruit, dead animals, and other decaying matter that would otherwise attract flies and create unpleasant odors around your Maine home.
Rather than letting rotting apples or roadkill sit in your yard, possums take care of the mess naturally. Their scavenging habits keep your outdoor spaces cleaner and more pleasant, saving you the hassle of constant yard maintenance and disposal work.
3. Resistant to Rabies Infection
Unlike raccoons or skunks, possums rarely carry rabies due to their lower body temperature. Their unique biology makes it extremely difficult for the rabies virus to survive in their system, which is reassuring for Maine residents worried about wildlife diseases.
When you spot a possum near your home, you can relax knowing the rabies risk is practically zero. This sets them apart from other nighttime visitors and makes them much safer neighbors than you might have initially thought.
4. Snake and Rodent Population Control
Got mice in your shed or snakes near your foundation? Possums hunt both, keeping these populations under control without you lifting a finger. Maine homeowners often struggle with rodent problems, especially as temperatures drop and critters seek warm shelter.
Possums are immune to many snake venoms and will actively hunt them along with rats and mice. Allowing them to roam your property creates a natural balance that reduces the need for traps or exterminators.
5. Garden Pest Eliminators
Slugs, beetles, and other insects that destroy your garden plants are all on the possum’s menu. While you sleep, these nocturnal helpers patrol your Maine garden beds, hunting down the very pests that nibble your tomatoes and lettuce.
Instead of spraying chemicals or setting traps, let possums do the work organically. They won’t damage your plants like deer or groundhogs do, focusing instead on the insects and grubs hiding beneath leaves and soil.
6. Completely Harmless to Humans and Pets
Despite their somewhat scary appearance when they show their teeth, possums are actually non-aggressive animals. When threatened, they typically freeze or play dead rather than attack, making them safe around curious kids and pets in Maine neighborhoods.
Their famous hissing and teeth-baring act is pure bluff designed to scare away predators. Once you understand this defensive behavior, you’ll realize these shy creatures want nothing more than to avoid conflict and go about their business peacefully.
7. Temporary Visitors Who Move Along
Possums don’t set up permanent homes like raccoons or squirrels do. They’re nomadic by nature, typically staying in one area for just a few days before moving on to new territory across Maine’s diverse landscapes.
You won’t find them nesting in your attic or tearing up insulation like other wildlife. They prefer natural shelters and keep moving, which means any possum you see tonight will likely be gone by next week without any intervention needed from you.