How to Get a Opossum Out From Under Your Deck

Your deck is a perfect outdoor living space, but it can also be an inviting shelter for wildlife – especially opossums. Opossums (or possums) are adaptable animals, but they can create big problems for homeowners. 

Finding one under your deck might seem harmless. However, it can cause property damage, unpleasant smells, and health issues. They can carry ectoparasites, like ticks and fleas, along with diseases like Murine typhus. Their strong teeth and climbing skills also damage ductwork, insulation, and even the building’s structure. The best way to get them out is with professional intervention.

Attempting to remove opossums on your own can be dangerous and ineffective. These animals can be tough and aggressive when threatened, possibly leading to injuries and disease spread.

At Xceptional Wildlife Removal, our licensed experts have the skills and tools to handle these risks. 

Signs of Opossums

• Droppings: Opossum droppings are dark, elongated, about 1-2 inches long. Sometimes, you might see berries or seeds in them.
• Tracks: Five-toed tracks, especially the unique thumb-like toe on the hind foot.
• Disturbed Areas: Look for digging around the perimeter of the deck or torn-up landscaping.
• Sightings: Often see an opossum going in or out from under the deck, mainly at dusk or night.
• Rustling and Scrambling: Sounds that come from movement, especially at night.
• Hissing or Growling: Opossums can be vocal if disturbed.
• Foul Odors: A musky, pungent smell from urine and feces, especially noticeable on warm days.
• Decomposing Odor: If an opossum has died underneath the deck.
  

What do I do about a opossum nest in a tree?

It can be tough to remove opossums from trees since you need the right tools and skills for the job. We’ve seen many homeowners try to remove opossums from trees by cutting branches or making loud noises to scare them away. However, these methods can be dangerous, ineffective, and may even be illegal in some cases.

Our skilled techs at Xceptional Wildlife Removal know how to safely remove opossums from trees. They have the right experience and equipment for the job. We use humane traps and exclusion methods to keep them from coming back.

Risks of Opossums Under Your Deck

Opossums bring persistent, unpleasant smells. Ammonia odors can fill the air near your deck – and in serious cases, they may even enter your home.

Some other risks to consider include:

Structural Damage

• Digging and Burrowing: Opossums can dig a lot. This may weaken deck foundations, concrete slabs, or landscaping.
• Gnawing: They may chew on wood, wiring, or pipes if accessible.

Health and Hygiene Concerns

• Feces and Urine Accumulation: Feces and urine buildup cause unsanitary conditions. It attracts insects and can seep into soil or crawl spaces.
• Parasites: Opossums can carry fleas, ticks, mites, and lice, which can then infest your yard, pets, or even enter your home.
• Disease Potential: They resist rabies but can carry other diseases. These include Leptospirosis, Tuberculosis, and coccidiosis. They mainly spread these diseases through their waste.
  

Preventing Future Opossum Invasions Under Your Deck

The best way to prevent opossum infestations is to secure food sources, maintain your yards and deck, and apply exclusion methods. More specifically:

• Don’t leave pet food outdoors, especially overnight.
• Use heavy-duty, tightly sealed garbage cans with secure lids.
• Clean up spilled seeds from bird feed regularly.
• Remove any ripe or rotting fruit from trees in your yard.
• Remove woodpiles, brush piles, and other potential hiding spots.
• Keep dense vegetation away from your deck’s perimeter.
• Periodically check the perimeter of your deck for new holes or weak spots.
• If your deck lacks skirting, think about adding strong, impenetrable skirting.
• Close any small gaps or openings around utilities entering/exiting from under the deck.
  

Professional Opossum Removal and Deck Exclusion

Homeowners often try to get rid of opossums under their decks by setting traps or using repellents. However, these methods can be ineffective and may even be illegal in some areas. Also, if you don’t seal and exclude properly, opossums can come back and rebuild their nests.

At Xceptional Wildlife Removal, our skilled technicians safely and effectively remove opossums from under your deck. We take a thorough approach so the job is done right.

Our Professional Process

1. Thorough Inspection: Check how bad the infestation is. Find where pests get in and look at the damage.
2. Humane Trapping: Use safe, live traps or one-way doors. This way, all opossums, including the young, can leave without coming back.
3. Deck Skirting & Sealing: Install strong, wildlife-proof barriers, like heavy-gauge mesh or concrete skirting, around your deck. This keeps animals from getting underneath in the future.
4. Cleanup and Sanitation: Removing waste, deodorizing, and sanitizing the area under the deck.
5. Damage Repair: Fix any structural damage or landscaping issues.
6. Follow-Up: Making sure the problem is fully resolved.
   

Reclaiming Your Outdoor Space

Don’t risk your health, safety, or building structural integrity – get a professional to help. Our licensed experts focus on delivering effective, eco-friendly, and humane solutions for your opossum removal needs.

Enjoy your deck again, knowing it’s free from unwanted wildlife guests. Contact Xceptional Wildlife Removal today to set up your consultation. 

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