Opossums will den anywhere they can find a spot that’s dry, sheltered, and safe which is why they are commonly found living inside attics, within crawl spaces, or underneath the sheds and decks of homes and businesses. Because their bodies have little fat, opossums don’t store food during the winter and instead forage for food year round. Therefore, the nocturnal marsupials can frequently be seen at night wandering Orlando neighborhoods in search of food.
Opossum diets typically consist of fruits, nuts, insects, mice, frogs, snakes, poultry, and carrion; however, opossums will also eat the garbage, pet food, and birdseed found around many residential and commercial areas. If you notice disturbances in and around your home or workplace, then look for the following signs to confirm if you have a growing opossum infestation.
5 Signs of Opossums
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Loud scratching noises
Opossums make ripping, scratching, and scuttling noises as they build their nest. The sounds are also not confined to one particular area, so you will most likely hear them whenever they are moving around.
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Constant animal vocalizations
If you hear noises such as hissing, shrieking, clicking, or lip smacking, you could have multiple opossums living inside. Often, it’s a mother opossum communicating with her
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Building exterior damage
Look for torn shingles or ripped soffits as well as damaged siding, eaves, and gutters.
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Disappearing pet food
Opossums love an easy meal and will steal the pet food you leave outdoors. Whenever possible, feed your pets inside or bring the dishes in overnight when opossums are most active.
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Unpleasant smells
Because of their size, opossums leave large droppings all over the area where they live. Their urine and feces stain wooden materials and soak into attic insulation, causing an unpleasant odor. It’s also possible for the opossum to get trapped and die in which you will want to hire a professional to remove the decomposing body and perform a thorough cleaning.
Dangers of an Opossum Infestation
Although opossums are docile creatures, they can create significant damage inside your homes or business. Using their teeth and claws, they’ll tear shingles, siding, and insulation. The feces and urine they leave behind causes large stains and toxic smells if not quickly cleaned. Opossums can also carry parasites, fleas and ticks, as well as items from the outside such as dried leaves and grass to form a comfortable nesting place for mother opossums to birth their young.
Contact Central Florida’s Opossum Removal Experts
When it comes to opossum removal, don’t wait to address the situation. Instead, rely on the professional services of Critter Control® of Orlando. We will safely and humanely remove the nuisance pests and take the proper steps to ensure they don’t gain access back into your home or business.
For more information or to schedule your inspection and get a free opossum removal estimate, call us today at 407-295-7194.
