Opossum on Your Property?
Opossums are opportunistic and nomadic. They don't build their own dens, so they take advantage of whatever shelter is available. Under a deck, inside a garage, in an attic, behind a shed. If they find a warm, accessible spot with food nearby, they will use it.
Regal Pest Control uses live trapping to remove opossums from your property. Because opossums tend to move on once disturbed, trapping is generally effective when done promptly following a thorough inspection to confirm where and how they are accessing the area.
Where Opossums Are Commonly Found
Opossums don't dig their own dens. They shelter wherever it's dark, warm, and accessible.
Under Decks & Porches
Inside Garages & Sheds
In Attics
In Wood & Brush Piles
A Few Things Worth Knowing About Opossums
Opossums are one of the more misunderstood animals in Michigan. A few facts that customers often find surprising.
North America's Only Marsupial
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. Females carry their young, called joeys, in a pouch, just like kangaroos. Juvenile opossums ride on their mother's back while learning survival skills.
Almost Immune to Rabies
Opossums very rarely carry rabies. Their body temperature is lower than most mammals, making it difficult for the rabies virus to survive. A hissing or drooling opossum is almost certainly frightened, not rabid.
Tick Vacuum
A single opossum can consume thousands of ticks per season through their meticulous self-grooming. They find ticks in their fur and eat them. In a region where tick-borne illness is a real concern, that is a meaningful ecological benefit.
Playing Possum Is Involuntary
When severely threatened, opossums enter a catatonic state that mimics death, complete with rolled-back eyes, drooling, and a foul smell. This is an involuntary physiological response, not a conscious decision. They can stay in this state for up to an hour.
Michigan Winters Are Hard on Them
Opossums originated in warmer climates and are not well adapted to Michigan winters. Their ears, tails, and feet are largely hairless, making frostbite common. Many Michigan opossums bear visible frostbite damage on their ears and tails.
More Teeth Than Any Other Land Mammal
Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal. That wide-mouthed hiss that startles people is a defensive display, not aggression. They would rather play dead than pick a fight.
Our Opossum Removal Process
Every opossum removal program follows the same five-step approach.
Inspection
We begin with a thorough on-site inspection, identifying where the opossum is sheltering, how it is accessing the area, and any conditions, such as open food sources or accessible entry points, that may be attracting it.
Assessment
After the inspection, our technician will walk you through the recommended approach and discuss what exclusion options may be available at your location after trapping is complete.
Trapping
We set live traps in locations determined by our technician based on the inspection. Trap placement near the shelter site and active travel routes gives the best results. All trap type, placement, and quantity decisions are made by our trained technicians.
Daily Follow-Up
We return daily to check traps, remove any caught animals, and rebait or reposition as needed. Five visits are included, spaced 24 hours apart to minimize the time any animal spends in a trap.
Exclusion (If Applicable)
Where accessible entry points are found, we offer temporary exclusion services after trapping is complete. Whether this is feasible at your location is determined during the inspection. In some cases, more permanent repairs will require a licensed contractor.
Opossum Removal FAQ
Other Wildlife Services
We offer removal services for a wide range of nuisance wildlife throughout Southeast Michigan.
Schedule Your Opossum Removal Today
Family & veteran owned. Michigan's wildlife removal professionals for over 25 years.