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Atlanta Opossum Removal

A mother opossum and her babies in a trap after being removed from a house by a wildlife removal company.

Opossums are rather odd-looking animals that are sometimes described as looking like they were assembled from "God's spare parts." They're medium-sized mammals, usually predominantly white or gray in color, with canine-like jaws, rat-like prehensile tails, and hands and feet whose tracks somewhat resemble those of a miniature human. They also have opposable "thumbs" on their hind feet, and females have pouches in which they rear their young. The opossum is the only marsupial native to North America.

In nature, possums preferentially live in trees; but they're also comfortable living on ground level. Opossums can be found in any part of a house from the basement or crawl space to the attic, as well as in garages, sheds, and other buildings. Opossums are also happy eating our food (or our pets' food), and often rummage through human garbage looking for leftovers. They'll eat pretty much anything, dead or alive, both in nature and in human-occupied areas.

In fact, the opossum's adaptability is the secret to its success. They have very few set habits or absolute needs. They are flexible in their approach to life and live without complaints in a wide variety of settings, making do with whatever nature -- or people -- provide. They live pretty much anywhere, eat pretty much anything, and go about their business.

Interesting Facts about Opossums

Probably the most well-known bit of information about possums is their peculiar habit of "playing dead" when confronted or attacked. Most biologists don't believe that this behavior is completely voluntary. It seems to be an involuntary reaction -- something like fainting -- over which possums have little or no control.

We do know that playing dead is something that opossums do after more typical methods of confronting the threat -- growling, snarling, snapping, screeching, and so forth -- have failed. When playing dead, opossum's faces look frozen in a snarl, and they secrete a foul-smelling fluid from their anal glands, presumably to discourage predators from eating them. Most carnivores won't eat meat that smells rotten.

Another interesting thing about opossums is that although they have extraordinarily strong immune systems and are resistant to most diseases, they also have very short life spans. This isn't just because of their habit of walking across roads and getting run over by cars. They just have very rapid senescence, which means they age very quickly.

Opossums as Nuisance Animals

In nature, opossums are somewhat beneficial because they do consume their share of rodents. But because they're omnivorous, they can be a nuisance in gardens and on farms, where they sometimes eat the crops. In homes, they're a nuisance mainly because they make a mess and scare people. And although they very rarely attack, it does happen sometimes when they're cornered.

Like other wild animals, opossums also harbor their fair share of parasites such as fleas and ticks, some of which can transmit diseases to humans and pets. Their droppings can also harbor bacterial and fungal pathogens that can become airborne, and some of which can cause human illnesses.

One place you definitely don't want opossums is around a stable. Possums are known to be involved in the transmission of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), a serious disease affecting horses and other equines. Opossums around horses are a wildlife-control emergency.

Another possible health threat worth mentioning is that opossums have remarkably strong immune systems and are largely resistant to many common diseases, including rabies. But that doesn't mean that they can't transmit it. The results of several studies suggest at least the possibility that opossums infected with rabies can continue to live out their normal life spans, during which they theoretically could infect humans or other animals.

Opossum Removal and Control

Like most of the wildlife control that we do, opossum control typically consists of trapping and removing the opossum from your attic, crawl space, garage, or wherever else they've gotten into; and then sealing up your house to keep opossums and other wildlife out. Opossum exclusion will also keep many other animals, such as raccoons and skunks, out of a home.

Sometimes, however, all we need to do is remove the animal, either by trapping or by hand, and relocate it. This is the case when, for example, an opossum gets into a garage or basement because the door was left open. In that case, the obvious solution (once we remove the opossum) is to keep the door closed when it's not in use.

Please contact us if you have a problem with opossums or any other nuisance wildlife.

Opossum Control Gallery

Here are a few pictures of opossum-removal work we've done in Atlanta and the Metro Area.

A triangular gap in the stone wall where an electrical wire passes through that allowed a young opossum into a house in Oxford, Georgia.
Opossum gap through a stone wall in Atlanta
A foundation vent cover is completely missing from the rectangular opening in a brick wall which allowed opossums to get into the crawl space of a house in Decatur Georgia.
How opossums got into this house in Decatur
A gap about six inches high between the floor joists of an extension where they meet the foundation allowed opossums into the crawl space of a house in Newnan Georgia.
Opossum gap under an extension in Newnan
A brick that was removed from the foundation for unknown reasons left a rectangular gap that allowed opossums into the crawl space of a house in Atlanta Georgia.
Man-made opossum gap into a house in Atlanta
An adult opossum climbing a tree with the intention of getting into the attic of a house in Newnan Georgia.
Opossum in a tree outside a house in Newnan
Young opossum standing sideways in the far end of a cage type trap after being removed from a house in Atlanta.
Young Opossum Removed from a House in Atlanta
Opossums pushed aside the hardware cloth that a handyman used to try to seal them out of the crawl space of a house in Marietta Georgia.
Handyman possum-proofing attempt in Marietta
An opossum in a cage type trap sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck after being removed from the crawl space of a house in Atlanta.
Opossum removed from a crawl space in Atlanta
A foundation vent cover that simply fell out of the foundation allowed opossums into the crawl space of a house in Cartersville Georgia.
How opossums got into this Cartersville home
Man applying sealant to bricks in front of two traps to force an opossum in the crawl space of a Douglasville Georgia home to enter the traps.
Opossum removal from a crawl in Douglasville
Opossum dropping near a French drain through the brick wall and into the crawl space of a house in Marietta Georgia.
Opossum evidence in a crawl space in Marietta
The foundation vent has fallen out of the wall and is laying on the ground in front of the hole that allowed an opossum into a Marietta Georgia home.
How an opossum got into this house in Marietta
Young opossum in a cage trap awaiting relocation to the wild after being trapped and removed from a house in Atlanta.
Young opossum removed from a house in Atlanta
Young opossum with a fierce expression being held in the gloved hand of an animal control technician after being removed from the attic of a house in Atlanta.
Young opossum removed from an attic in Atlanta
Missing and loose bricks in the foundation need to be repaired to keep opossums out of the crawl space of a house in Atlanta.
Opossum entry gap into an Atlanta crawl space
Live opossum inside a cage type trap sniffing at the ground and awaiting relocation after being removed from the attic of a house in Johns Creek Georgia
Opossum removed from a house in Johns Creek
The foundation vent on a brick house in Ellenwood Georgia is completely missing which allowed opossums to get into the crawl space of the house
How opossums got into this house in Ellenwood
Young adult opossum in a cage trap snarling at the camera after being removed from the attic of a house in Johns Creek Georgia
Opossum removed from a house in Johns Creek
A softball sized hole has rotted out of a metal foundation vent cover which allowed an opossum to get into the crawl space of an Atlanta home
How a possum got into this crawl space in Atlanta
Opossum poop in the crawl space of a house in Atlanta
Opossum droppings in a house in Atlanta
Gap of about four inches in the foundation where an electrical conduit passes through allowed a young opossum into the crawl space
Opossum entry point into an Atlanta home
Foundation vent was taken out of a cinder block foundation wall of an Atlanta home and opossums got in through the opening
Opossum entry gap in Atlanta
The insulation has been torn from the framing and there are droppings from an opossum in the attic of a house in Atlanta
Opossum made a mess in an attic in Atlanta
The door of a garage in Marietta Georgia is propped up on two bricks and the opossum simply in under the door
How opossums got into a garage in Marietta
Opossums got into a house in Atlanta because a row of cinder blocks right under the bottom of the siding were removed
How opossums got into an Atlanta crawl space
Young opossum in a cage trap after being removed from a house in Atlanta
Opossum removed from a house in Atlanta
An possum in a cage behind the tailgate of a pickup truck after being removed from a house in Atlanta
Possum trapped and removed from a house in Atlanta

 

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Beautiful day to be out and about, quoted squirrel jobs in Decatur(where it’s greater), and Riverdale, headed out to Covington for mice, back to Marietta for squirrels chewing on facia board
by Chris Collender
Mar 29, 2023 03:16:33 pm.

Rain rain go away, in Stone Mountain today
by Chris Collender
Mar 27, 2023 11:18:39 am.

A triangular gap in the stone wall where an electrical wire passes through allowed a young opossum into a house in Oxford, Georgia. Our wildlife-removal specialists have trapped and removed the opossum and are sealing the gap to animal-proof the house.
by Webmaster
Mar 27, 2023 09:08:58 am.

In Oglethorpe, Montezuma, Vienna and Byron Ga. today quoting homes Wildlife Exclusions that has Bats and squirrels.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 23, 2023 11:31:15 am.

Bat calls are coming in already with the mild winter in middle to south ga. Tifton, Vienna, Cordele, Zebulon, and Barnesville Ga. Just to name a few cities I’ll be today and tomorrow.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 22, 2023 12:41:29 pm.

Good morning, glad to back, was out 2 1/2 months cause I broke my leg, time to quote some houses
by Chris Collender
Mar 20, 2023 09:48:34 am.

In Tifton Ga giving a quote for a commercial building for squirrels and then headed to another commercial building in Americus Ga for bats. Ending the day in Macon Ga for a residential quote for Rats. Have a good day!
by Jason Arruda
Mar 13, 2023 11:57:15 am.

Scurrying in the attic, scratching in the walls sounds like you may have critters. Going to some homes today hearing these noises.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 10, 2023 09:34:34 am.

Wildlife exclusions for Bats, rats and squirrels are keeping us busy in Barnesville, Macon and Albany Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 09, 2023 10:44:54 am.

Headed to Vienna Ga after a customer referred they’re neighbors to us.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 08, 2023 10:35:37 am.

Helping the technicians today with a Bat Exclusion on Lake Jackson Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 07, 2023 10:47:30 am.

A shingle whose edge is sticking up about three quarters of an inch allowed bats into the attic of a house in Atlanta. Our bar-removal crew is installing a temporary one-way trap over the gap to allow all the bats to leave before we animal-proof the roof.
by Webmaster
Mar 01, 2023 09:27:40 am.

A Ground-Level Gap in the Brick Wall Makes it No Wonder this House in Kennesaw, Georgia Needs Norway Rat Control
by Webmaster
Jan 26, 2023 10:10:27 am.

Started off in Rome ga, raccoons in the crawl space, then headed to Atlanta, ga, rats in the attic
by Chris Collender
Jan 05, 2023 11:48:37 am.

Happy New years, back at it, started off in Conyers ga, squirrels, then headed to Stone Mountain ga, rats in the attic, now In Gainesville ga, bats in the house
by Chris Collender
Jan 02, 2023 11:16:26 am.

Here's Wishing All of You a Merry Christmas from Rid-A-Critter!
by Webmaster
Dec 23, 2022 12:56:04 pm.

Rain rain go away, i need to quote some houses today, started off Snellville ga, squirrels have chewed several new holes, paid 2 companies to do patch work , never works long term, why she called us, we will give her a permanent solution
by Chris Collender
Dec 20, 2022 12:54:00 pm.

Beautiful day but Baby, it’s cold outside. Started the day in Athens ga, rats, then headed to Brasselton, ga, rats, then headed over to Oxford, ga, squirrels. Good times
by Chris Collender
Dec 19, 2022 12:42:44 pm.

Back in conyers, ga today, seems to be busy over here, flyers in the attic, headed to Ellenwood, ga, square
by Chris Collender
Dec 16, 2022 09:53:13 am.

Beautiful day, had 2 stops in Dacula, ga. Rats and squirrels, headed to conyers, ga. For another squirrel job.
by Chris Collender
Dec 15, 2022 12:15:22 pm.

Busy day in the rain, had two quotes in Alpharetta ga, flying squirrels in both homes, headed to Athens ga, squirrels in the attic.
by Chris Collender
Dec 14, 2022 12:45:29 pm.

Quoted a rental property In Atlanta ga, rats, them headed to Athens, ga, mice, then off to Snellville ga, squirrels in the attic
by Chris Collender
Dec 13, 2022 12:33:01 pm.

Finally no more rain, headed to Decatur ga, rental property, rats, headed to Monroe, ga, squirrels in a house, then back to Atlanta ga, rats
by Chris Collender
Dec 12, 2022 03:51:16 pm.

Good day yesterday, other then the rain, started off in Dawsonville ga, rats, then headed to Lawrenceville ga, flyers, then headed to Atlanta ga, rats
by Chris Collender
Dec 07, 2022 10:01:04 am.

Rainy day, started out in Duluth, ga, snakes found in the house, then headed to doraville ga, squirrels again, then 2 stops in Atlantic ga, rats. Busy day
by Chris Collender
Dec 05, 2022 03:25:03 pm.

Glad the rain stopped yesterday, we stood in Atlanta, ga. rats and squirrels, then headed to Duluth ga, squirrels again, then to Marietta ga, rats. Another good day
by Chris Collender
Dec 01, 2022 07:20:51 am.

Happy thanksgiving to all, it’s back to work, was in Decatur ga, rats, to off to McDonough ga, rats again, the headed to Douglasville ga, for grey squirrels, then I just left Carrollton ga, bats in attic
by Chris Collender
Nov 28, 2022 12:25:45 pm.

The management, staff, and logo animals of Rid-A-Critter wish all of our customers, suppliers, and Web site visitors a Happy and Save Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving from Rid-A-Critter
by Webmaster
Nov 23, 2022 10:05:14 am.

Cold day yesterday, started in Cedartown ga, squirrels in the soffits, had them last year, he tried to fix it himself last year, didn’t work. Headed to Mableton ga, squirrels again, then 2 stops in Marietta ga
by Chris Collender
Nov 22, 2022 08:21:48 am.

Rainy day, started off in Cleveland ga, bats in the ridge vents, then headed down to Atlanta ga, rats in the basement, then off to Douglasville ga, squirrels chewing holes threw customers shingles
by Chris Collender
Nov 15, 2022 03:36:15 pm.

It’s a cold Monday, was out in Monroe ga this morning, customer has had a constant issue with squirrels, then out 3 jobs in Atlanta ga, rats rats rats.
by Chris Collender
Nov 14, 2022 11:51:04 am.

Busy day yesterday, started off in Hoschton ga, rats, then out to a rental property in Atlanta, rats, then to Jonesboro ga, rats, then up to Athens ga, squirrels, good times.
by Chris Collender
Nov 10, 2022 10:19:13 am.

The Atlanta, Georgia office of Rid-A-Critter provides opossum removal and control in all of Metro Atlanta including the City of Atlanta and the communities of Berkeley Lake, Buckhead, Cartersville, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Douglasville, Duluth, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Hull, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Lithonia, Loganville, Mableton, Marietta, McDonough, Newnan, Norcross, Peachtree City, Powder Springs, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Stone Mountain, and Vinings. We are fully licensed and insured.

#opossum #removal #MetroAtlanta #georgia

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