Yes, possums generally dislike the strong, pungent smell of bleach and it can be used as a deterrent to keep them away from specific areas, as their keen sense of smell makes noxious odors unpleasant for them, though it's not foolproof and should be used with caution. You can wipe bleach on rags and place them at entry points or use it to mask their scent after they've left a space, but be mindful of safety, as bleach irritates skin and respiratory systems, and it's best not to mix it with other chemicals like ammonia.
Possums' strong senses of smell help them find food. You can turn this against them by placing scent-based repellents around the perimeter of your yard. Ammonia, bleach, and camphor can effectively ward them off. Natural ingredients like garlic and onions also give off a smell that opossums avoid.
Ammonia. The strong, pungent smell of ammonia is incredibly off-putting to possums. Simply soak rags in ammonia and place them near problem areas.
garlic spray Tabasco sauce® hot English mustard Indonesian fish sauce White King® camphor naphthalene flakes quassia chips Blood and Bone Keep Off® Stay Off® D-Ter® Scat® Bitrex®. These products are readily available either at the supermarket or at a plant nursery with the exception of Bitrex.
Do not feed possums almonds, cheese, onions, dairy products, green potatoes or junk food.
Cyanide poison provides an effective means of controlling possums whilst minimising the potential risk to the environment, birds and other non- target species. Cyanide paste and pellets used by possum hunters is coloured green, so that it should not be mistaken for other non-toxic substances.
Here are 10 proven ways for removing Possums from your property—and keep them gone:
They don't like vinegar or ammonia. You could set a catch and release trap maybe on the other side of the fence where he's crawling over. We've caught them using honey buns. We let them go about 10 miles or so away in the woods.
Possums come around houses seeking easy food, water, and safe shelter, drawn by unsecured trash, pet food, fallen fruit, compost, and cozy spots like roof cavities or woodpiles for warmth and protection from predators. They're opportunistic, so your yard becomes an appealing buffet and hotel, especially when natural food sources are scarce or your home offers ideal nesting.
Possums hate strong, pungent smells (like garlic, onion, peppermint, eucalyptus, mothballs, and ammonia), sudden disturbances (like motion-activated lights or sprinklers), and perceived predator threats, finding these elements unpleasant and unsafe, so they avoid areas with these strong deterrents, though they can get used to them if not moved.
Does Vicks Vaporub deter possums? Anecdotal evidence suggests this is effective in the short term, and it won't wash off if you mix it with Vaseline. Possums are known to get used to smells, though, so it might not be a long-term solution.
Even though opossums aren't as dangerous as other wildlife, they can still damage your home, shed, and deck. They may also harm humans and pets if they feel threatened and try to defend themselves. Find a Critter Control near you.
Possums are nocturnal animals and the flashing lights really seem to annoy them… enough that they take themselves elsewhere for a midnight snack. They also don't like spot lights and porch lights, so having these on motion sensors can help.
Bleach will not keep rats away indefinitely. Rats may not like the strong smell of bleach initially, but as extremely adaptable animals they will likely get over their fear of the odor.
Rodents hate the strong ammonia smell from household bleach. This smell is overpowering to a rat's respiratory system, which gives it a repelling effect. Bleach is also irritating to a rat's eyes and nose if they sniff it, so most rats won't come near areas reeking of bleach.
2. Strategically Use Scents. If you are trying to figure out how to get rid of possums, know that they are attracted to many smells you find distasteful, there are some nasty smells that even they hate. These include ammonia and mothballs.
Because of its odor, bleach is a great way to ensure possums keep their distance. Experts recommend mixing one part bleach with 10 parts water to make a spray. Spray it in strategic areas around the house or yard to repel possums.
In general, possums do not remain in one location for extended periods. They are transient animals, usually staying only 2-3 days in the same den site before moving on to another location. However, they may keep your yard in their rotation of den sites if it provides a suitable hiding place for them during the day.
Solution: In general, opossums are docile, non-aggressive animals and will not attack your pets. They prefer to avoid confrontations. If escape is not possible then the threatened opossum may “play 'possum”, show its teeth, or bite in self-defense, as any animal would.
Remove any food sources that attract opossums, such as leftover chicken feed, pet food, or fallen fruit. Use strong scents that opossums dislike, such as ammonia, mothballs, garlic, or peppermint and use throughout the yard or around your garden/coop.
Australian possums are nocturnal, so they start becoming active right after sunset, with peak activity often in the first half of the night as they leave their nests to forage for food, returning around midnight or later. You'll hear them most actively after dark, with heavier thumps and scurrying sounds as they search for food like leaves, fruits, and berries.
Opossums are great climbers, and they can climb trees near your house or scale the siding of your home. Opossums can also get into the walls from the crawl space. They may have entered through a foundation vent or broken vent, then climbed into the wall void.
It's illegal for an unauthorised person to trap or harm possums. Trapping, removing or killing a possum without a licence will result in severe penalties.
Opossums are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active during the night. During the day, they hide in hollow logs, trees, under brush piles, in road culverts, in rock and stump crevices or under buildings, decks or porches.
Noise is just as effective. Radios, barking dogs, or ultrasonic devices can all create an environment that feels too risky for a possum to settle into.