Quck answer
To attract a possum to your yard, follow these simple steps:
1. Provide shelter: Create a cozy and secure space for possums to nest, such as a wooden box or a hollow log.
2. Offer food: Possums are omnivorous, so provide a varied diet. Offer fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even pet food. Leave the food out overnight.
3. Add water sources: Place shallow dishes of water around your yard, as possums need to drink regularly.
4. Create hiding spots: Possums like to hide, so add bushes, shrubs, and dense vegetation to your yard.
5. Minimize disturbances: Avoid loud noises and sudden movements, as possums are shy creatures.
By following these steps, you can attract possums to your yard and enjoy observing these fascinating nocturnal creatures.
While kangaroos are popular in zoos and Australia, Americans may not have seen the native marsupial, the opossum. These nocturnal marsupials are beneficial animals, and there are simple ways to welcome them to your yard.
About the Opossum
The Virginia opossum is native to North America and is about the size of a house cat, with light-gray or almost-black fur. They are slow-moving animals and have a white face. Opossums are good climbers and swimmers. They carry their young on their backs and also pretend to be dead when threatened.
Opossums are omnivores and eat insects, ticks, snails, snakes, slugs, mice, rats, and other small rodents. They also eat overripe fruit, vegetables, garbage, and carcasses. They are a natural pest control method as they eat cockroaches, poisonous snakes, and nasty ticks.
Attracting Opossums to Your Yard
Opossums are cautious and try to keep out of sight of humans. To attract them, allow shrubs and small trees to grow around the edges of your yard near any fencing you have installed. This will provide them with cover when they come.
Planting fruits, veggies, and flowers will attract insects, snails, and slugs to your yard. In addition, possums will eat virtually anything, from cat food to compost heap contents to garbage. Leaving food scraps in the garbage will definitely draw opossums, and they particularly love sweet potatoes and yams. Put out a bowl of water as well.
FAQ
1. How can I attract a possum to my yard?
To attract a possum to your yard, you can create a welcoming environment by providing food and shelter. Possums are omnivorous, so you can offer them a variety of foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even cat or dog food. Place the food in a designated area and ensure it is easily accessible for the possums. Additionally, you can create a possum-friendly habitat by providing nesting boxes or hollow logs for shelter. Possums are nocturnal creatures, so having a well-lit yard with motion-activated lights can also attract them.
2. What are some natural ways to attract possums to my yard?
Instead of relying on artificial means, you can use natural methods to attract possums to your yard. Planting native trees and shrubs that produce fruits or nuts can provide a natural food source for possums. Creating a water source like a small pond or birdbath can also attract them. Additionally, leaving leaf litter or fallen logs in your yard can create a suitable habitat for possums to live and hide. Avoid using pesticides or chemicals in your yard, as possums might be deterred by them.
3. Are there any specific smells that attract possums?
Possums have a keen sense of smell, and certain scents can attract them to your yard. Some scents that possums find appealing include ripe fruits, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and even the scent of other possums. You can try placing these scents near the designated feeding area to attract possums. However, it is important to note that every possum may have different preferences, so it might require some trial and error to find the scent that works best.
4. How can I make my yard a safe haven for possums?
To make your yard a safe haven for possums, it is important to avoid using harmful chemicals or pesticides that can harm them. Instead, opt for natural pest control methods that do not harm possums or their food sources. Additionally, providing plenty of hiding spots like bushes, shrubs, or even a brush pile can offer protection for possums. Avoid using traps or poisons, as they can be harmful to possums and other wildlife.
5. What should I do if possums become a nuisance in my yard?
If possums become a nuisance in your yard, it is important to address the issue without causing harm to the animals. Start by removing any potential food sources, such as pet food or fallen fruits, to discourage possums from visiting. You can also install motion-activated sprinklers or lights to deter them. If the problem persists, consider contacting a local wildlife control agency for guidance on how to safely and humanely address the issue.