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Opossum — species photo
Daniel Brady · NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664

How to Get Rid of Opossums

DIY-friendly
Opossums are transient, docile den-users — not chewers — so removing what draws them (unsecured trash, pet food left out, brush piles) usually resolves a visit on its own. Close off spaces under decks, sheds, and porches with an L-footer of galvanized ¼- to ½-inch hardware cloth, buried and angled outward about 12 inches, and cap open window wells. Confirm no young are denning underneath before sealing a space completely. Contrary to their reputation, opossums are a poor host for rabies because of their unusually low body temperature, and confirmed rabid opossums are rare — this is a low-risk species that's more beneficial (eating ticks, insects, and carrion) than dangerous. Trapping is legal but relocation is restricted in New Hampshire, so exclusion is the more practical route.

At a glance

  • Difficulty: Beginner
  • Time: A weekend to seal access points; ongoing attractant management
  • Cost: Low — hardware cloth, stakes, secured trash/pet-food containers
  • Success: Good — opossums are generally docile and move on once attractants are removed
The honest answer

Can you DIY Opossum?

The verdict on Opossum DIY

DIY-friendlyBeginner

One of the most DIY-tractable wildlife species — and one of the least feared for good reason.

Virginia opossums are transient den-users, not chewers, and they readily move on once an attractant is removed. They're also widely and incorrectly feared as a rabies risk: opossums have a notably low body temperature, commonly cited around 94–97°F, that makes them a poor host for the rabies virus compared with raccoons, skunks, or foxes, and confirmed rabid opossums are exceedingly rare. Securing food/trash and sealing access under a deck, shed, or porch resolves most homeowner situations without a trap.

The playbook

The 5 DIY methods — honestly graded

Every approach graded for this species, in IPM order — prevention first, chemistry late. Pick a method to see how it works, the steps, and what it actually takes.

Prevention / Exclusion

Works well

Highly effective — opossums are transient den-users, not chewers, so a properly built exclusion barrier reliably keeps them out.

Opossums shelter opportunistically under decks, sheds, and porches rather than digging or chewing their way in. A buried L-footer barrier denies that access without needing to trap or relocate anything.

Best for: Permanently closing off den access under structures

  1. Build an L-footer barrier

    Close off spaces under decks, sheds, and porches with galvanized ¼- to ½-inch hardware cloth, buried and angled outward about 12 inches so a digging animal hits the horizontal shelf and gives up.

  2. Cap window wells and secure attractants

    Cap open window wells, secure trash cans with locking lids, and bring in pet food overnight.

Tools & materials

Galvanized hardware clothStakesScrewdriverWindow-well covers
Before you start
Confirm no young are denning underneath before sealing a space completely.
Reality check

Why DIY falls short here

Not scare tactics — the specific, proportionate reasons a home attempt can stall for this species.

Recurring food attractant

Unsecured trash or pet food left out keeps drawing new animals even after one opossum is excluded, making it look like exclusion "failed."

Denning young under a structure

Exclusion needs to wait until young are mobile — sealing a den with dependent young inside orphans them.

Straight talk

How risky is it, really?

An honest read — most nuisance species are genuinely low risk, and we say so.

Low risk

Opossums are widely and incorrectly feared as a rabies risk. In reality, their notably low body temperature makes them a poor host for the rabies virus, and confirmed rabid opossums are exceedingly rare — this is a genuine myth correction, not a case of understating a real risk. They're also generally docile, rarely bite, and eat ticks and insects.

  • RabiesRare

    Myth correction: opossums' low body temperature (roughly 94–97°F) makes them a poor rabies host compared with raccoons, skunks, or foxes — confirmed rabid opossums are exceedingly uncommon

    Veterinary/wildlife literature

  • Leptospirosis via urine-contaminated soil or waterOccasional

    Standard hygiene precautions (gloves, hand-washing) after yard cleanup are sufficient

    CDC

  • Defensive hissing or "playing dead"; bites uncommonRare

    Opossums are generally docile and avoid confrontation rather than seek it

    Wildlife literature

When to call a pro

Want the Den Sealed Without the Guesswork?

Anchor Pest Services confirms vacancy and installs lasting exclusion barriers across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.

Call a pro when…

  • A den with young you need addressed sooner than a wait-it-out timeline allows
  • Repeated denning under a structure despite your own sealing attempts
  • You want confirmed-vacancy exclusion done for you

General Pest Control

Most opossum situations are entirely DIY. Call a pro if a den under your structure has young you can't safely wait out, or if exclusion keeps failing because of a persistent food source you can't control.

Get a Free inspection(603) 785-0118

Keep them out

  • Secure trash cans with locking lids
  • Don't leave pet food out overnight
  • Seal under-deck and under-shed access with a buried L-footer barrier
New Hampshire context

Opossums in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, opossums are active year-round and don't hibernate, though cold snaps often push them to seek shelter under decks, sheds, and porches during winter — the same access points worth sealing before the coldest months arrive. Their short, thin, unfurred ears and tail are also genuinely vulnerable to frostbite in New Hampshire winters, part of why they seek warm cover so readily.

Peak season

Year-round; increased shelter-seeking in cold months

Before you treat

Make sure it's a Opossum

Two quick detours worth taking — confirm the ID, then learn what drew it in so it doesn't come back.

Not sure it's this?

Identify Opossum in the Pest Library

Why is it here?

What actually attracts Opossum

Common questions

Frequently asked

Sources & further reading(3)
  1. [1]
    CDC — About Leptospirosis

    Leptospirosis transmission and precautions

    govverified 2026-07-13
  2. [2]
    NH Fish & Game — Nuisance Wildlife / Wildlife Control Operators

    Trapping licensing and relocation constraints

    govverified 2026-07-13
  3. [3]
    WildlifeHelp.org (NH Fish & Game partner resource) — Opossum Conflicts

    Recommended on-site release/animal-proofing approach

    industryverified 2026-07-13

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

Verify license

Last updated July 2026

More in Wildlife & Birds

Other species you can tackle

Same category — the dot shows each one's DIY verdict at a glance (green = friendly, amber = doable with care, red = call a pro).

Professional Pest Control

Want the Den Sealed Without the Guesswork?

Anchor Pest Services confirms vacancy and installs lasting exclusion barriers across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.

Get a Free inspection(603) 785-0118
  • Humane, confirmed-vacancy exclusion
  • NH-licensed technicians (#782664)
  • Free inspection — same-day service across southern NH

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