Opossums

Many people in North America confuse opossums for possums, but when it comes to opossum vs possum, what is the actual difference? Well for starters, they are two completely different animals. Both are marsupials, but opossums live in North America, whereas possums live in Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Sulawesi and China.

While the two creatures may resemble each other, they do look different. Both are small, furry critters with white, grey, brown and black colouring and tiny pointed noises. Possums from Oceania have prehensile tails, which allows them to use their tail as a fifth limb, helping them grasp and hang from trees. North American opossums are equally comfortable in trees as they are on the ground, however they lack a prehensile tail.

It is important to note however, that many use the name opossum and possum interchangeably in North America. So if you’re reading a piece of literature or doing a quick google for more information on the animal, it’s not uncommon to hear them referred by both terms. You can often determine which animal is being discussed based on the location. 

Once an opossum has decided to make your house their home, it can be very difficult to get rid of them. They are opportunistic omnivores, surviving on a diet of both meat and vegetation.

Opossums have a very robust and hardy immune system. They have partial-to-total immunity from the venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and other pit vipers. Opossums eat ticks and other nasty insects that may be nesting outside of your house. They also are very unlikely to carry any diseases for this same reason. About 1 in 800 opossums carry the rabies virus, for example.

They do however, tip over trashcans to find food, steal from gardens and damage ductwork or insulation when looking for a place to build a den. They can spread disease in their feces or carry fleas, ticks and lice.

So to answer the question “are opossums dangerous?”, the short answer is no. However, if they decide to camp out in your home they can make a big mess and spread disease, so they are not an optimal house guest.

The short answer to the question of “do opossums hibernate?” is no. While winter can be very difficult for opossums as food is scarce and weather conditions in many parts of Canada are quite harsh, they remain active throughout the winter. They do not have the fat pockets that animals who hibernate require. They adjust their feeding and sleeping habits in the winter to help compensate for the changing weather, such as going out during the day to scavenge for food instead of night time.

In summer, it’s not uncommon for opossums to change their dens frequently, but in the wintertime they’re likely to stick to one den. Between the colder weather and the lack of frequent den changes, you’re far more likely to find an opossum living on your property or in your home during the winter.

If you’re wondering where do opossums live in Canada, you’re not alone. Opossums are a very intriguing animal to many, as their eating habits and unique appearance leave many people unsure how to feel about them.

Did you know that the Virginia opossum is the only marsupial we have in Canada? Additionally, there are only three marsupial families native to North and South America. You can find opossums in Southern Ontario, Southeastern Ontario, Southern Quebec and Fraser Valley. With climate change however, opossums are slowly exploring more north of Ontario, so if they’re not currently where you live, they could be in the coming years.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of opossums, it’s time you called in the professionals. If you need professional opossum removal, Terminix Canada is here to help. Opossums are the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere. They are very efficient colonizers and survivors in Canada’s erratic climate. When opossums feel threatened, they’ll pretend to be a sick or dead animal, smell and all. They will seize up, allowing them to be prodded, moved, or carried away – all without a peep!

Being an evasive species, if you suspect you have opossums living in your home, basement, or crawlspace, it’s important you contact Terminix Canada for humane opossum removal and other pest management needs. After all, it’s illegal to relocate opossums in many areas, so a professional team of opossum control specialists will humanely remove and relocate opossums in accordance with the law.

Effective opossum removal starts by eliminating overhanging trees and removing food sources from around your home. This includes outdoor pet food or leftovers. Also make sure your garbage bins are always sealed and secure, as opossums go looking for food in your bins, similar to raccoons.

If you have dark, damp spaces around your home such as areas under a deck or crawlspace, make sure they are sealed shut with mesh wire to limit potential nesting spots.

Once you have opossums in your home, you don’t have time to google how to get rid of opossums. It’s important that you act fast and call in the professionals. Let Terminix Canada safely and humanely remove opossums from your home before they cause trouble.