sanerdudette

Last night as I was driving down my block, an animal crossed my path, long of snout and not in a terrible rush to get out of its way, I was certain it wasn’t a stray cat.

My experience last spring (see previous post) told me that I had just been crossed by an opossum. Apparently, my last encounter with his cousin was not a fluke. There are indeed opossum living in the Brooklyn wilderness.

This creature is North America’s only marsupial (related to the kangaroo), and is non-aggressive and non-destructive.

If there is an opossum in your area, just leave it alone, it should move on in a couple of days. However, if you find an opossum continues to return to your area, try eliminating the things that are attracting it:

Do not leave pet food out at night.

Pick up fallen fruit.

Clear away bushes, woodpiles and other hiding places. (clearly I need to tend to this)

Do not leave garage doors open at night. (Fixed hole in garage door last spring)

If an opossum gets into your house or garage, it can be safely trapped by leaning an empty, tall kitchen trash can at a 30-45 degree angle against something the opossum can climb onto. Place cat food or ripe fruit at the bottom of the trash can. The opossum will be able to climb into the trash can but will not be able to get out. Immediately take the can outside. Tip the can on its side and the opossum will leave when it feels it is safe. You can also try to leave a trail of cat food leading to an open door. Observe quietly at a distance. Once it leaves, shut the door. Do not try to push the opossum out with a broom. The frightened animal will freeze and not move.

If there is an opossum in your yard, leave it alone. If it is in your garden, it is helping you by eating the harmful pests that do damage.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS