Should I Let A Possum Live In My Garage?

Possums looking for shelter in garages is a common occurrence, especially in the winter months. If a possum has made itself at home in your garage, you may be wondering if you should let it stay or take steps to remove it.

If you don’t have time to read this full article, here’s a quick answer: you should not let a possum permanently live in your garage because of concerns over property damage, mess, and potential health hazards.

However, it may be best to allow young possums to safely leave the nest before permanently evicting adult possums from your garage.

Risks Associated With Possums Living in Garages

Property Damage Concerns

Possums can potentially cause extensive property damage if they decide to set up residence in your garage (source). Their sharp claws and teeth allow them to chew through wood, drywall, insulation, and wiring. They may rip up insulation to build nests.

A possum infestation can quickly become costly if left unchecked.

An average possum nesting removal can cost $200-500 according to pest control companies (source). Major structural repairs from possum damage often run into the thousands. Fortunately, there are humane ways to evict possums before things escalate.

Mess and Odors

Possums aren’t the cleanest creatures, so their presence often means unpleasant odors and mess in your garage space. They may urinate and defecate wherever they please. Rotting food debris and feathers from their meals also contribute to foul smells.

In addition, you may find a path of destruction in their wake—scattered trash, shredded insulation, and rummaged storage boxes. Possum families can generate extensive filth when allowed to occupy human dwellings.

Potential Health and Safety Issues

While possums themselves rarely directly endanger humans, their droppings, nests, and carcasses can pose health risks if proper precautions aren’t taken (CDC):

• Respiratory issues from airborne particles in nesting materials
• Bacterial infections from possum feces and urine
• Parasites like roundworms and leptospirosis from direct contact

Use caution and protective equipment if you discover a possum infestation—their droppings can contain nasty pathogens. Seek professional assistance for humane removal before attempting DIY eviction.

Should I Let Baby Possums Stay in My Garage?

Finding baby possums in your garage can be alarming, but these cute little critters are usually not dangerous. While their presence may seem like a nuisance, baby possums often end up in garages by accident and typically leave on their own within a couple weeks.

Here’s some advice on what to do if you find baby possums in your garage.

Don’t Panic – Baby Possums Are Not Aggressive

Baby possums, also called joeys, are small and harmless. They weigh just a few ounces at birth and only reach about 4 pounds as adults. Unlike other wild animals, possums are typically not aggressive and prefer to avoid confrontations with humans.

If startled or threatened, they will likely hiss, bare their teeth, or play dead rather than attack. So while their presence may be a shock, there’s no need to panic. Simply give them space and they’ll likely retreat to a hiding spot.

Determine If They’re Old Enough to Survive on Their Own

If the joeys have open eyes and fully furred tails, they are old enough to fend for themselves, usually at least 7-8 weeks old. They likely ventured into your garage while exploring at night. In this case, they can be gently encouraged to leave by creating an exit path.

Open doors and windows, turn on lights, and make noise to stimulate them to wander back outside.

However, if their eyes are closed and tails are hairless, they are less than 7 weeks old and still dependent on their mother. She will return each night to nurse them, so it’s best not to interfere. Mama possum will then move her babies to a new den site once they are old enough.

In the meantime, just go about your normal garage activities during the day when momma is away.

Avoid Contact and Don’t Try to Touch or Capture Them

As mentioned, adult possums rarely act aggressive, but they can bite or scratch if threatened, especially when defending their young. Plus baby possums may carry diseases or parasites transmittable to humans. So it’s wise to avoid direct contact and never try to handle them.

Simply allow mama possum to come and go each night until she moves her babies herself.

Remove Food Sources to Encourage Them to Leave

To speed up the process of possums leaving, eliminate any food sources attracting them to your garage. Possums are omnivores and will eat human garbage and pet food left out. Make sure trash cans have tight fitting lids and pet dishes are not left outside overnight.

With no food reward, possums will be encouraged to find a new home elsewhere.

Use Humane Possum Removal Methods If Necessary

In rare cases, using humane removal tactics may be needed if possums stubbornly won’t leave or are causing damage. Try placing ammonia-soaked rags or lights and radios in their nesting spot to create an unpleasant environment.

Sprinkling flour in entry points can reveal if they are coming and going at night. If they still won’t budge, work with a professional wildlife removal specialist to humanely trap and relocate the entire possum family together.

With a little patience and understanding, baby possums passing through your garage typically move along on their own without intervention. Knowing they mean no real harm, the best plan is to give them space and let nature run its course.

How to Humanely Remove Possums From Your Garage

Exclusion Methods

Excluding possums from garages can be an effective long-term solution. Here are some tips for sealing up possum entry points:

• Inspect your garage carefully and look for any openings larger than 2 inches. Possums can squeeze into very small spaces!
• Seal any gaps around pipes, vents, eaves, and foundations using wire mesh, sheet metal, concrete, or steel wool.
• Install weather stripping around garage doors and check for gaps around windows.
• Trim back bushes and tree branches that could allow possums to access the roof or siding.

Using Live Traps

Live trapping allows for the humane removal and relocation of possums:

• Place cat/small animal traps along walls or in corners where there is evidence of possum activity.
• Bait the traps with wet cat food, fruits like apple slices, or peanut butter.
• Check traps frequently, at least every 12 hours.
• Once captured, drive the possum at least 5 miles from the capture site and release in a wooded area.
• Be sure to take precautions, like wearing gloves, when releasing the possum.

According to the Humane Society^[1], spring and summer are the easiest times to live trap possums since the young are old enough to be on their own.

Removing Attractants and Fixing Points of Entry

Here are some tips for “possum-proofing” your garage:

• Clear clutter and debris that possums could use for nesting.
• Eliminate food sources by cleaning up spills and keeping trash in sealed bins.
• Remove pet food bowls and bird feeders at night when possums are active.
• Install lighting around garage doors since possums avoid illuminated areas.
• Use strong-smelling ammonia-soaked rags around entry points to deter possums.
• Install a chimney cap if there is access to the roof.

With some diligence, persistence, and humane trapping, you can evict pesky possums from your garage. Just remember to seal up any new openings they may create as you work to exclude them. Happy possum wrangling! 😉

What to Do If the Possum Won’t Leave

Dealing with a stubborn possum that refuses to leave your garage can be frustrating, but there are some effective methods you can try to encourage it to relocate:

Wait it Out

Possums are nocturnal and will generally only use your garage as a daytime shelter. You can try leaving the garage door open at night when the possum is awake and active. This will allow it to leave on its own and hopefully find a new shelter elsewhere.

Use Light and Noise

Possums prefer dark, quiet spaces. Try turning on some bright lights and a radio in the garage during the day to make the environment less welcoming. The commotion could convince the possum to abandon your garage for a more peaceful resting spot.

Try Repellents

Certain smells and substances can help repel possums, including:

• Ammonia or vinegar – Soak rags in ammonia or vinegar and place them around the garage.
• Mothballs – Scatter mothballs around potential entry points.
• Cayenne pepper – Sprinkle cayenne pepper powder near den sites.
• Fox or coyote urine – The scent of predators may scare off possums.

Block Access Points

Prevent the possum from returning by sealing up any cracks, holes, or openings in the garage walls, doors, roof, and foundation. Use metal plates, mesh screens, caulk, expanding foam, or other materials to close off access points.

Use Humane Traps

If other methods fail, you can try trapping the possum in a humane cage trap baited with fruit or cat food. Once caught, drive the trap at least 5 miles away and release the possum in a safe rural area away from roads and residences.

With persistence and patience, you can usually encourage unwanted possums to leave your garage for good. Avoid using poison, glue traps, or other inhumane removal methods which may be illegal in many areas.

If needed, contact a professional wildlife control company for humane possum extraction services.

Alternatives to Letting Possums Live in Your Garage

Build a Special Possum House

Instead of allowing possums to take up residence in your garage, you can build a special possum house for them outside. This allows the possums to have shelter without invading your space.

To build a basic possum box, you’ll need:

• A wooden box or plastic storage container (at least 15 inches high x 12 inches wide x 12 inches deep)
• Wood pieces or sticks for climbing
• Some wood shavings or dry grass for bedding
• A towel or small blanket
• A rope for hanging the box from a tree branch

Cut a 3-4 inch opening as an entry point for the possum. Add some climbing sticks inside leading up to the opening. Place the bedding material and blanket/towel inside for cozy nesting. Hang the box about 5-6 feet off the ground on a sturdy tree limb away from predators.

Make sure the entry hole is facing away from prevailing winds and rains.

The possums may take a while to discover and start using the box. You can encourage them by placing some flour inside as bait. Some fruits may also help to entice them. Once they take up residence, you can provide occasional treats like cat food, fruits, vegetables or nuts.

Just be sure to clean out old bedding periodically.

Having an outdoor possum box is a humane way to give these wild critters a supplementary shelter without allowing them to move into your garage. With a cozy nesting spot to call their own, the possums will be less likely to try to enter your house.

Contact Wildlife Rescue Groups

If you want to remove possums from your garage humanely, another option is to contact wildlife rescue or relocation services in your area. These groups can safely trap nuisance possums and release them into more suitable natural habitats away from residences.

Some major wildlife organizations that may be able to assist or provide referrals include:

• The Humane Society
• Wildlife Rescue League
• WildCare
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

You can search for local branches or partner groups in your city or region. There are over 100 wildlife rehabilitators across North America dedicated to this cause.

When you contact them, explain your possum situation and location details. They will dispatch experienced wildlife handlers to humanely trap the possums using bait cages. This causes minimal stress to the animals.

The possums will then be fully checked and assessed before being released into the wild, away from residential zones. Some babies may go into rehabilitation centers briefly until they are mature enough for release. This gives you a possum-free garage without harming the critters.

Relocation by experts is preferable to relocating possums yourself, as they may find their way back. It also avoids accidental release of sick possums spreading diseases. Let the professionals assess, handle and relocate them safely.

Conclusion

While the idea of sharing your garage with a possum might seem harmless at first, allowing possums to permanently live in close quarters poses too many risks. By understanding why possums try to enter garages and addressing those factors humanely through exclusion and removal tactics, you can maintain both your property and the possum’s safety.