Possums are a surprising part of Washington’s backyard life, and removing them isn’t always simple. These creatures can affect your yard in ways you might not expect.
Understanding the risks and benefits helps you make the right choice. Here are 8 things Washington homeowners should consider before taking action.
1. Legal Protection Status
Washington State has specific wildlife laws that might surprise you. Possums are classified as protected wildlife in many areas, meaning you can’t just trap and relocate them without proper permits.
Breaking these rules could result in fines or legal trouble. Always check with your local wildlife agency before taking action to stay on the right side of the law.
2. Natural Pest Control Benefits
These nocturnal creatures are actually doing you a favor without asking for payment. A single possum can eat up to 5,000 ticks in one season, protecting your family from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
They also munch on slugs, snails, and cockroaches that damage gardens across Washington. Consider them your free, all-natural pest control team working the night shift in your yard.
3. Temporary Visitors
Most people don’t realize possums are wanderers by nature. They rarely stay in one spot for more than a few days, constantly moving through their territory in search of food and shelter.
That possum you saw last night will probably be gone by next week on its own. Washington homeowners often waste money on removal services when simply waiting it out would solve the problem naturally and cheaply.
4. Disease Resistance Advantages
Here’s something that might ease your worries about having possums around. Their body temperature runs too low for the rabies virus to survive, making them one of the safest wild animals to encounter.
Unlike raccoons or skunks common in Washington neighborhoods, possums pose minimal health risks to your pets and family. They’re actually cleaner than most people think, grooming themselves like cats do throughout the day.
5. Non-Aggressive Nature
Don’t let that famous hissing and teeth-baring display fool you completely. Possums are actually gentle creatures who would much rather run away than fight, and their scary act is mostly just a bluff.
When truly threatened, they’ll often faint or play dead rather than attack. Washington residents rarely report possum bites or aggressive encounters, making them one of the most harmless backyard visitors you could have around your property.
6. Environmental Impact
Removing possums creates a ripple effect you might not anticipate in your local ecosystem. Other animals will quickly fill the vacant territory, and you might end up with rats, raccoons, or skunks instead—creatures that cause far more problems.
Washington’s environment depends on balanced wildlife populations. Possums help control rodent numbers and clean up carrion, keeping neighborhoods healthier overall without any effort on your part.
7. Humane Alternatives Available
Before choosing removal, explore gentler options that work just as well. Simple changes like securing trash cans, removing pet food at night, and closing off crawl spaces usually convince possums to move along naturally.
Motion-activated sprinklers and bright lights also discourage them without causing harm. Many Washington homeowners find these methods more effective and affordable than hiring expensive removal services that might not solve the underlying attraction issues anyway.
8. Cost Versus Benefit Analysis
Professional wildlife removal isn’t cheap, often costing several hundred dollars per visit. Compare that expense to the free services possums provide by eating pests and cleaning up dropped fruit and garbage in your Washington yard.
Most removal situations stem from misunderstandings rather than actual problems. Take time to weigh whether the possum is truly causing damage or just passing through harmlessly before spending money unnecessarily.