Biology:
Possums have a top running speed of only 7 miles per hour, so they have advanced strategies to escape enemies. They with ease input burrows and climb bushes in an attempt to elude danger. When threatened, a possum catcher may additionally naked its tooth, growl, hiss, and exude a repulsive, pungent, greenish musk like fluid from its anal glands, which gives a few degree of protection from predators.
DAMAGE
Opossums are considered a nuisance in gardens and close to homes where they feed on berries, grapes, tree fruits and nuts, and defecate on garden paths and patios. They get into fights with puppies and cats and can inflict serious harm with their mouthful of sharp pointed enamel.
Possum catchers carry sicknesses which include leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disorder. Opossums are hosts for cat and canine fleas, specifically in urban environments. This flea infestation on opossums is particularly concerning for transmission of flea-borne typhus, which is growing in occurrence in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
LEGAL STATUS
If you discover opossums threatening growing crops or different assets of which you are the owner or tenant, you can manage the possum catcher using any legal approach. California Department of Fish and Wildlife rules limit the relocation of wildlife without written permission from the department. Check to make sure there aren’t any municipal or county restrictions concerning the elimination of opossums prior to taking any action.
MANAGEMENT
Control techniques for opossums are the same or much like those for skunks and raccoons. Possum catchers no longer normally emerge as severe as raccoons and aren’t as objectionable as skunks. Opossums are distinctly adaptable and are superb survivors. Once they’ve invaded a neighborhood they’re in all likelihood there to stay as long as food, water, and shelter are available.
Detection
Because they’re handiest, lively at night time and coffee-light hours, opossums would possibly in no way be visible as they journey via neighborhoods or yards. Barking dogs and disappearing puppy food omitted in a single day can be the primary apparent clues.
Sometimes odd-looking droppings (scat) can be discovered on garden paths, walkways, and patios, though usually opossums defecate in included and leafy regions. The scat is difficult to explain because the omnivorous consuming habits of the animal ward off a median size, shape, or texture.
Since opossums are messy feeders, you can find remnants of the preceding night time’s foraging and feeding. An occasional go to by using a possum catcher or a family of opossums might not be a good reason unless you have got pets that stay outside at night. Pet and opossum confrontations are notably commonplace and the pets are regularly injured. Early action can be warranted to avoid this sort of problem.
Habitat Modification
The aim of habitat modification is to make your premises much less attractive to the opossum. Cut overgrown shrubbery and trim lower back bushes that overhang rooftops as a minimum five toes from the roof area. Continually dispose of any fallen fruit, which will be without problems fed upon by opossums.
Be sure firewood is stacked tightly, leaving no foremost gaps suitable for a den. Store scrap lumber and other items in an orderly way, ideally approximately 18 inches off the ground. Ensure garbage cans have tight-becoming lids and do not area meals, gadgets or desk scraps in your compost bin. Pet food placed outside ought to be removed at dusk. This will considerably lessen or get rid of the negative interactions among pets and possum catcher.