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Discovering an unwelcome critter inside or around your home is alarming, but you aren’t necessarily in danger if that critter is an opossum. These furry scavengers are mostly active at night and generally most interested in seeking food and water. While an animal control expert can handle an opossum inside the house, it may be helpful to understand a little more about these misunderstood creatures.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Opossums

1. They Are Not Aggressive

Under normal circumstances, opossums are fairly docile creatures. They don’t attack unless confronted or if they feel threatened. In that case, they may show their teeth and produce a hissing noise. If this tactic isn’t effective, the animal may “play possum” by falling over and opening its mouth as if it were dead. Sometimes this is enough for them to stave off a problem.

2. They Leave Their Mark

New Haven, CT animal controlOpossums make evidence of their presence quite obvious. They may damage your personal property, such as insulation in the attic or ductwork within the walls. They can leave droppings behind, and if you have a farm they may even consume chicks or eggs. You might also notice that your trash cans appear damaged. If you suspect there’s an opossum in the attic or basement, you’ll need an animal control or animal removal professional to inspect.

3. They May Not Have Rabies

Although many mistake opossums for being rabies-carriers, the disease is rarely found in these animals. According to the Opossum Society of the United States, opossums have a naturally low body temperature of anywhere between 94 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s challenging for the rabies virus to survive in that environment.

4. They Have Unique Tracks

If you suspect there are opossums on your property, their tracks might be all the confirmation that you need. The front paws feature five toes with claws, while the back paws have four toes with claws and one opposable toe on the side. Your animal control expert can confirm their presence.

 

Are you worried that there may be opossums inside your home or potentially wreaking havoc on your personal belongings outside? Turn to the animal removal professionals at American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services. Serving greater Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield counties in CT, the established family-business takes pride in providing reliable and humane animal control services that you can trust. In addition to opossums, they also handle bat control and raccoon removal. Visit their website for information, or call (860) 355-1231 to schedule an appointment.

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