What Steps Should I Take After I Have Trapped An Opossum?

Opossums are pesky little creatures that can cause quite a bit of damage to a property. Unfortunately, they are also wild animals. They may look docile, but they can certainly pose a risk.

Depending on your specific situation, it may be necessary to bait a trap for the opossum. There are wildlife management experts and rehabbers who will help rid your property of pesky opossums if necessary. However, your local laws may permit you to handle the situation yourself.

Trapping an Opossum

Trapping an opossum does involve a bit of research and some trial and error. You must know a bit about opossums and their habits to be successful. You can trap an opossum during any season, but the late fall and early winter is when you’ll be most successful.

Opossums are nocturnal, so they are usually caught at night when they are most active. When you set the trap, it is best to put a brick or heavy object on top of it. This prevents it from tipping over when the creature is caught and moving around inside.

You will also need to check the traps every day. It would be inhumane to have an animal trapped in a cage for days without food or water. So, you’ve checked your traps and you’ve caught an opossum. Now what do you do?



After You’ve Caught an Opossum

It is important to wear thick gloves when handling a trap with an opossum inside. The gloves should be long enough to protect your forearms and thick enough to guard against accidental abrasions.

Opossums have long sharp claws and teeth. While they aren’t typically aggressive, that all changes when they are trapped. They will lash out if they are scared.

It is also a good idea to put a light blanket or towel over the top of the cage. This will help keep the animal calm and slow dehydration. When these animals are trapped, they tend to dehydrate quickly.

If local laws allow you to relocate the animal, you’ll want to find a wooded area at least five miles away from your home. The animal may play dead at first. This is a natural defense mechanism. Open the door, step away from the cage and wait. Opossums can lie still for thirty minutes at a time.

If you aren’t relocating the animal yourself, then put it in a quiet place while you make arrangements. Call your local wildlife management team or fish and game warden. They will typically come pick the animal up and relocate it.


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