How do I get rid of an opossum with babies?
Question:I have a mother possum moved into a rabbit hole under a cement ftep. When she leaves at night her babies make a sneezeing noise. I thought opossums carried their young with them, but she leaves them. If she took them I could block the entrance. Any addvice.
Answers:
Since she isn't taking her babies with her, they are obviously too young to "hang on" so she has to leave them behind. As frustrating as it is to not be able to get a good night's sleep because of all the commotion I'm sure, just be patient, as she will start taking them with her soon and simply move out on her own. They don't stayed "holed up" for long, only until their babies are old enough to travel. She probably ended up there because she went into "labor" while traveling and had to find a safe place quick. Since the hole under the step isn't her true home she's just as anxious to get out of there as you are to have her gone! They'll be gone soon!!
If you know where they reside i would try to shoo them away. I wouldn't recommend hitting them so try that. If they come back you can try building a fence.
Your veterinarian may have suggestions. One of the vets in my town is the go-to vet for wildlife injuries, and her knowledge of wildlife is deep. Maybe there's someone like that where you live.
BTW, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, they will be gone in 8-9 weeks after leaving the pouch. Any chance you could wait it out?
Call animal control and ask about a wildlife rescue group. We have groups that will come and pick up baby opossums or any other baby animals that need homes. They will either raise them or relocate them.
The most humane thing to do now is wait until the babies are grown. That said, opposums are easily traped by using food as a lure. They especially like fruit. I recommend using a Havahart trap, then relocate the opposum. As for the babies, litters can be as large as 25, but usually only about 7 will live.
Here are a couple sites to get you started:
http://www.pestcontrolamerica.com/servle...
http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/_old_cr...
Maybe blow smoke down the hole. You could call your county's animal control and ask them for advice or to deal with them.
well theres probably a food source on your property dog food cat food scraps in your garbage.. eliminate the food source she will leave if your not that patient.. call the animal control they will most likely come get her and her babes
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