Yes, bright lights, especially motion-sensor or flashing lights, can deter possums because they are nocturnal and prefer darkness, making sudden light startling and uncomfortable, but they can get used to it, so combining lights with other methods is best. Motion-activated spotlights or flashing fairy lights can interrupt their routine, making them feel exposed, but consistent light or bright LEDs might only work temporarily before they adapt, often just moving to a darker spot.
Light. Possums like to operate under the cover of darkness, so anything that you can put in your garden that mimics the reflective eyes of a potential predator or lights up when they enter the garden should help scare them off.
Possums hate strong, pungent smells like garlic, peppermint, eucalyptus, and ammonia, as well as sudden physical disturbances like motion-activated lights/sprinklers and unpleasant tastes (like chilli or bitter sprays), which disrupt their sensitive noses and sense of security, but they can get used to static deterrents, so regular reapplication or movement is key.
Bright lights: Opossums are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet spaces. Floodlights or motion-activated alarms are believed to help drive them away by disrupting their environment.
How to keep possums away
Possums come to your house seeking easy food, water, and safe shelter, attracted by unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, pet food, and dark, quiet spots like roofs, crawlspaces, or woodpiles that mimic tree hollows. They are opportunistic nocturnal scavengers, so your yard becomes a convenient buffet and resting place, especially if natural habitats are scarce.
Australian possums are nocturnal, meaning they become active after sunset, typically leaving their nests (like roof spaces or tree hollows) around dusk to forage for food, with activity peaking in the first half of the night before they return around dawn. You'll usually hear them start moving, scratching, or thumping around after dark, with noises often heard closer to 10 pm as they venture out.
While possums rely more on their sense of smell and environmental cues, they can remember familiar individuals, including humans, over time. Their memory plays a significant role in navigating their surroundings and identifying potential threats or food sources.
Use motion-activated lights around the coop to scare opossums away. 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.
And yes, opossums will stay in one territory area in their lifetime, however, they won't sleep in the same den every night and tend to rotate den sights every 2-3 days. The best way to see them every night is to have natural food source on your property.
Here are 10 proven ways for removing Possums from your property—and keep them gone:
Opossums have a few natural predators; larger mammals such as bobcats, foxes, and coyotes pose a significant threat to the opossum, as do feral cats and also household pets such as dogs and cats – especially if the opossum is making nightly visits to backyards.
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.
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.
When in the presence of lights, like automobile headlights, opossum's eyes glow. As a result, blindness is often presumed. The glow is due to the tapetum lucidum – the reflective layer in the upper retina. This allows opossums to have improved night vision by reflecting light to the retina.
Possum Spikes. Possum spikes create a physical barrier that prevents possums from accessing specific surfaces or structures. These spikes deter possums by making it uncomfortable and difficult for them to climb or roost on ledges, fences, roofs, and other areas.
Possums don't like bright lights since they're nocturnal creatures. Setting light fixtures to shine on the trees you see them hanging about in will deter them from coming back. You could also try keeping garden, garage or basement lights on around dusk or nighttime when they are likely to be emerging from their nests.
Every now and then, an opossum will get into a house through a pet door. Encourage them to leave by closing the doors to all rooms and opening the doors to the outside. Opossums are usually not aggressive, so you may be able to help them on their way by gently nudging them with a broom.
Possums hate strong, pungent smells like garlic, peppermint, eucalyptus, and ammonia, as well as sudden physical disturbances like motion-activated lights/sprinklers and unpleasant tastes (like chilli or bitter sprays), which disrupt their sensitive noses and sense of security, but they can get used to static deterrents, so regular reapplication or movement is key.
Generally, opossums tend to avoid confrontation but may hiss or growl to deter predators. When it comes to biting, opossums only bite if they are cornered or feel extremely threatened. They usually prefer to flee or play dead rather than engage.
Possums are nocturnal and highly vocal — especially in urban areas where space is limited. They use sounds to: Defend their territory. Attract a mate.
Opossums, like most of our local mammals, are nocturnal. During the day they shelter for sleep in abandoned rodent burrows, attics, under brush, buildings any place offering safe shelter for a good days sleep. They don't build permanent dens. They only stay in one place for a day or two.
Food, habits, and habitat
Opossums are nomadic and tend to not den in the same area for consecutive nights. They den in abandoned burrows, tree cavities, hollow logs, and brush piles. They remain active year round and do not hibernate.
Their feet have sharp claws for gripping, and they use their tails for balance. They use these climbing skills to hop onto a roof from nearby trees, bushes, fences, or power lines. Chain-link and wooden fences are a cinch for them to scamper up and over. Opossums can even climb up certain types of textured home siding.
Or, a larger adult possum venturing out in the daytime may mean it is searching for a missing baby, or for food or water if it's been particularly hot or dry. Even if the possum in your yard isn't suffering from rabies, the creature may still appear to be struggling, which can be alarming for a homeowner to observe.