Can I Get City Or County Animal Services To Help Me Get Rid Of An Opossum?

Opossums have adapted to living near the human population. They are omnivores who will eat just about anything. Many of the rotting foods that we throw away are a suitable meal for these marsupials. While opossums are generally shy animals, they will get aggressive if they feel cornered or threatened.

Opossums present several problems for the human population. While they do largely help with insect control, they can also cause a lot of property damage. Opossums have been known to terrorize household pets, decimate gardens and wreak havoc to a structure.

They also carry a lot of diseases and parasites that are contagious to humans. Even an opossum’s fecal matter can cause harm if accidentally inhaled. It is best not to get close to these animals. While most people agree, they don’t always know what to do when faced with an opossum on their property.

Unfortunately, city and animal services will not help you get rid of an opossum. Even if the animal is causing damage and being a terrible nuisance, responsibility usually falls on the homeowner.



What to Do About an Opossum

It is not recommended that you attempt to handle an opossum unless you have specific experience with these animals. This is because of the many different hazards they present.

To make matters more confusing, state and local laws governing the situation may differ. Some localities may prohibit killing these animals while others may offer an open hunting season to control the population.

If you are faced with a nuisance opossum on your property, or even in your attic, the best thing to do is call your local wildlife management team. If you aren’t sure who that is then contact a local wildlife ranger. They can typically offer some type of assistance, but they usually will not catch the animal for you.

What they can do is convey specific information regarding local laws and ordinances along with safe trapping instructions. They can often tell you where to get traps, how to bait them properly and put you in touch with a local wildlife rehabber who will help you relocate the animal.

If you are handling a cage with a trapped animal, it is imperative to exercise caution and use the proper protective equipment. You should wear eye goggles, a respirator and log thick gloves that protect the forearms.

It is also important to check any set traps every eight hours or more. These animals dehydrate quickly from the trauma of being trapped and can become very sick. It is also inhumane to leave an animal trapped without food and water for long periods. You’ll want to relocate it as soon as possible for your safety and the safety of the animal.


Visit our Wildlife Trapper Hilton Head home page to learn more about us.