Minnesota yards can be full of unexpected visitors, and possums are among the most common. They may look harmless, but removing them needs careful planning.
These 8 tips will help make sure the process is safe for both you and the wildlife. Learn what to consider before taking action in your own yard.
1. Possums Are Actually Beneficial
These critters are nature’s cleanup crew in Minnesota’s backyards. They devour ticks, mice, and other pests that might otherwise invade your home.
A single possum can eat up to 5,000 ticks in one season! They also munch on rotting fruit and garden pests, making them helpful allies in your yard.
2. They Rarely Carry Rabies
Unlike many Minnesota mammals, possums have naturally low body temperatures that make them resistant to rabies. The disease simply can’t thrive in their system.
Fear of disease shouldn’t be your primary concern with these creatures. Minnesota wildlife experts confirm they’re one of the least likely animals to spread illness to humans or pets.
3. Playing Dead Is Their Defense
When threatened in Minnesota yards, possums don’t attack—they faint from stress! This involuntary response can last for hours, complete with drooping tongue and foul smell.
The famous “playing possum” isn’t an act but a genuine biological response. Simply waiting a few hours often solves your possum problem without any intervention.
4. Removal Timing Matters
Minnesota’s wildlife regulations protect mother possums with babies. Spring and summer months often mean possum mothers are carrying joeys in their pouches or on their backs.
Removing a mother during these times can orphan up to 13 babies. Wait until fall when youngsters are independent—Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources can provide seasonal guidance.
5. Legal Considerations Exist
Minnesota has specific regulations about wildlife removal that many homeowners don’t realize. DIY removal might violate state laws protecting native wildlife.
Professional wildlife removal services understand these legal requirements. They can properly relocate possums according to Minnesota’s regulations while ensuring the animal’s welfare and your property’s safety.
6. Exclusion Works Better Than Removal
Minnesota homeowners often find that simply removing attractants works wonders. Secure garbage cans, pick up fallen fruit, and seal pet food to make your yard less appealing.
Creating barriers around decks and sheds prevents new possum tenants. Minnesota’s seasonal temperature changes naturally encourage possums to move along when food sources disappear.
7. Humane Trapping Requires Follow-Through
Live-trapping seems simple but demands responsibility in Minnesota’s varied climate. A trapped possum can quickly suffer in extreme temperatures or without water.
Minnesota regulations often prohibit relocating wildlife more than a mile from capture. Many possums die after relocation due to unfamiliarity with new territory and food sources.
8. Professional Help Ensures Safety
While not aggressive, cornered possums in Minnesota yards can scratch or bite when feeling threatened. Their 50 sharp teeth look intimidating for good reason!
Professional wildlife technicians have proper equipment and experience. They understand possum behavior unique to Minnesota’s environment and can safely handle these misunderstood marsupials without harm to either party.