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preferred habitat away from people if left alone.
An opossum may get into garbage cans, eat your pet's food, or eat cultivated fruits and vegetables. It may enter
a home through ripped screens or vents and duct systems. To alleviate these problems, garbage can lids can be
fastened with a rubber strap or bungee cord from the local hardware store; holes in screens or building
foundations should be covered or repaired, and pet food should not be left outdoors.
If you come across an opossum in your attic or garage, try to find out how it got in. Turn on bright lights and use
a radio to create a loud noise to encourage the opossum to leave. Then block the entrance to keep the opossum
outside. Spray ammonia on the area to keep the opossum away.
If you find an injured opossum, you can move it into a box by putting a towel over its head and lifting it under the
neck while supporting the rear legs. Always check the pouch of a female opossum for babies as they can
survive for about 24 hours after the mother has died. Baby opossums are on their own when they are 6" to 8"
long (not including the tail).
