To do the alligator mouth, possums gape their mouth and bare their teeth threateningly. You can use this to your advantage by deterring them with scents they dislike around areas they frequent, such as camphor, garlic, onion, hot peppers, molasses, wolfs urine, ammonia, and pet fur. That sweet-smelling, sweet-tasting molasses is hated by possums. To make the mixture, add hot pepper, water, cayenne pepper, and detergent to a spray bottle. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Not only the door but also the ceiling, any moldy area, or any place from where possums can get access. If you live in a mobile home, cover the open space below the home with wire cloth. After reading your article, I was able to learn and educate my mom on the correct way to avoid and try to get rid of this possum. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Opossums become a problem when they decide to den in your decks, sheds, crawl spaces, attics, or any other man-made structures. (You can also try using an ammonia-based glass cleaner like Windex, but its not as Flies are a very common household pest that you likely want to, Read More Lavender: Why It Works to Repel Flies And How to Use ItContinue, You love your home because of the scenic views: plentiful trees, a grassy lawn, a beautiful nearby stream and then beavers move in. Female possums also emit a scent during the mating season, and this helps males find receptive females. The next attractive place for them is your pantry. It may be difficult at first to accept, but when you leave your home, those around you will notice the smell. Dont forget to mix the powder with any birdseed that you have in feeders around your yard. There is no arguing here we all hate the smell of ammonia. When you want them out of your yard, consider using your new arsenal of scents and smells to repel them! If your yard has growing vegetation like tomato, peppers, green foliage, edamame, and beans, this nocturnal creature will raid your yard for sure. Note: Do not let your dog or cat roam free through the yard for the They smell like they have been dead for a while, long enough to start rotting. To keep raccoons, possums, skunks, or other critters out of your garbage, regularly spray the side of your cans with a mixture of half ammonia, and half water. They do not deliberately fall to the ground, foaming at the mouth, tongue out, staring blank, and smelling rotten to keep predators off. They are also afraid of lights at night, and dont like to be wet. The Opossum: Its Amazing Story. Interestingly, even before baby possums have teeth, they do the alligator mouth. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. (2016). Camphor, commonly used in vapor rubs, oils, and lotions, is a scent that is hated by opossums. Grabbing molasses or any syrup in your pantry, mixing it with water until it dissolves, and then spraying it onto plants and garden spaces is an easy way to deter those uninvited possums. Spraying some fox urine prevents the possums from entering the backyard. 10 smells that possums dislike and how to use them: Where to place these smells to prevent possums? Copyright 2022 OutdoorAlive | About Us | Privacy Policy. Motion-activated devices are triggered once the possum crosses the sensor but they are also triggered by anything else that crosses the sensor. Habitat Dynamics of the Virginia Opossum in a Highly Urban Landscape. They will clean up fallen garbage and debris from fruits. Use A Live Trap Once the pest has been identified, you can start getting rid of them. Properly called tonic immobility, feigning death when approached by a predator is a fairly common tactic across the animal kingdom. To use onions to deter possums, peel an onion, slice it up, and add slices around your garden and the plants that need the most security. In Australia, opossum is actually a possum.Its an entirely different species! So no matter where youre reading, youre covered! So with all of this in mind, if youre noticing the start of a possum problem, or maybe you already have one, its time to get ahead of the game by deterring and preventing them and were going to tell you how! The smell of a potential predator might be enough to deter many possums from hanging around. You can also use garlic oil which has a more distinct stinky smell than the original garlic. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,145,016 times. Although opossums arent harmful directly, they can cause destruction to your outdoor spaces and can take over areas by nesting. Do Skunks Eat Pumpkins? Opossum spray is not one of the ideal smells you want to expose your nostrils. Spread the fenced area with your preferred smell kit. Remove all sources of food and water before dusk settles in, and keep pet food away from pet doors or other openings to the house. But, above all, never, ever, ever apply bear spray to yourself or your camp as a deterrent. They work their jaws to produce excess dribble, and they will even make drool bubbles as the drool forms in their nose. This odor can be strong enough to cause discomfort and provoke a gag Opossums emit smells that resemble dead, rotting animals. Do Possums Attack Ducks? 6. We were just looking for a deterrent for possums. What smell do possums not like? Does Lysol Repel Roaches? Both deeds (possum spray and playing possum) are two of many ways possums try to stay alive. However, opossums are threatened, they can manifest each of the following behavioral characteristics: For opossums, it is an involuntary response. Ladine, T. A., & Kissell, Jr, R. E. (1994, October). When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Several chemical possum repellents are available on the market, such as predator urine or essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus. The same chemical that makes our eyes watery while chopping the onions deters the possums from raiding our kitchen and gardens. ), Do Possums Attack Ducks? Since possums are omnivorous, any kind of food will attract them. Manage Settings Unlike their Australian relatives,the American opossum actually plays dead from predators. The Urine is yellow. Possums and humans Possums arent dangerous by nature, but they will defend themselves when threatened. The same case goes for fruits too. Stinky. Place a clove of crushed garlic in any area that you want neighborhood possums to avoid. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Escape Behavior of Virginia Opossums. The poops smell like ammonia gas. Securing side handles to stakes driven into the ground will prevent the trash bins from tipping over. References The powder is harmless to birds, which arent put off by the spicy flavor, and will taste unpleasant to any possums attracted to the feeders. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. You can either place crushed garlic cloves That So, in this article, besides explaining what possum spray smells like, we talk about other possum scents and much more. Enjoy! Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions that come with your cage trap for more specific directions. To do so, some easy and effective ways to deter possums is by using the scents they hate. Repel possums by sprinkling a bit of chili powder around your plants. This shows that an opossum is ready for the mating process to begin. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. (All You Need to Know), Does Citronella Repel Wasps? When threatened, opossums run, growl, belch, urinate, and defecate. So she sprayed pyrethrum on other plants, and it worked the possums avoided them. They Have Natural Defenses. (How to Prevent Them?) If your garden has no distinct fence area, spray the smells on the plants and near them. This smell leads the predator to believe that the opossums body is a rotting carcass. Weve all seen them around school buildings or in areas with any type of business where land is plentiful;coyote decoys or fox decoys help keep opossums and other pests away. Attach the top of the screening to the deck. They hate the smell (as we all do) and will stay away. The American Midland Naturalist, 175(2), 155-167. These covers are screwed onto the vent and have just enough room for steam and smoke to escape but not enough for possums to sneak through. Another smell that can burn the senses is hot peppers and hot sauce. Possums are known for their pungent odor, which is a result of several factors. This usually happens when the opossums are scared. All we want to do is prevent possums and keep our outdoor spaces safe from destruction, our gardens flourishing, and our spaces safe from unwanted predators. Nails or fence post staples usually work best. This article has been viewed 1,145,016 times. To make the paste, mix a few drops of camphor oil such asSVA Organics Camphor Essential Oilwith plenty of petroleum jelly and use it to make a shield around the spots that the possums are getting into. She screamed and the possum ran. Although both marsupials possums are classified as Diprotodontia and opossums are classified as Didelphimorphia. Possum pellets can have a distinctive smell rather like pickled onions. What home remedy will get rid of possums? If you place molasses in a pantry area it may drive away the possums but attract the ants. Opossums spray urine and leave behind their droppings for the purpose of marking their territory. Since the possums are nocturnal creatures, they have their adventures mostly at night. My. Make sure you must cover all the area surrounding the fence. I know how are you getting this? However, you may notice the brown stained patches. It is basically an odor emitted from one pair of possum anal glands. Web8 to 12 animals that fox urine repel. DigitalCommons@GeorgiaSouthern. Keep this passage open for a few days to one week before sealing up the hole. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Usually, the opossums dig dens or find burrows of other animals to sleep during the day. Although opossums have a generally passive personality and arent always bad to have around the problems start to occur when possums dont leave. Find and secure all the places from where possums can enter. Building fences surrounding your gardens will not only keep the possums but other predatory animals away. Bleach or Ammonia. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? Repair any holes in deck lattices, window screens, or door screens. These can happen in anywhere that For others, the thought of eating a dead animal is inconceivable. Opossum poop has a shiny, hazy, and film-like appearance, which makes it different from most other pests, like shrews. Fact 10: Major Disadvantages. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. But either way, if you have a possum or opossum problem and scents are not working, there are some other things you can try. In this case, opossums get scared away from a foxs Urine. With these arctic giants, you want to back away slowly (dont run!) The hole should be at least 12 inches (30.5 cm) deep. WebThe scent released by possums is known to be pungent and musky, similar to the smell of rotten meat. Opossums are scavengers and will always be looking for food. There is a terrific product called Natures Miracle. All you need do is cover the dog with it, you don't even have to rinse. It works great, I had a Likewise, in your garden or foliage area, place the smells in a way it doesnt hamper the growth and roots of the plants. WebMix two parts water, one part dish soap, and one part hot sauce or crushed hot peppers. Possum spray is actually not a spray like that of a skunk. There are several ways to get rid of them if they are hanging out in your yard. Even more interesting is the fact that possums cannot come out of playing possum when they want. More so for the taste, onions will deter possums if theyre growing in a garden. Know these pungent smells and how to use them to repel those possums. Adding a detergent or dish soap into the mix will help make a thicker spray and will allow the scent to linger for a little longer. WebIt is an odor that can be smelled for a long distance, and can be used to mark an area and to communicate with other coyotes. But do opossums spray Urine? The small end should extend away from the building and should have a hole roughly 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15cm) in diameter. Securing the lids of the garbage cans down and making sure that all food scraps are in a plastic garbage bag secured in the trash can will help as the smells will be secured, and it wont attract any possums or other animals. WebThe scent released by possums is known to be pungent and musky, similar to the smell of rotten meat. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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Habitat Dynamics of the website, anonymously to cause discomfort and provoke a opossums... Out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience rather like pickled onions pungent,... They work their jaws to produce excess dribble, and what does possum spray smell like, one part hot sauce never, apply. The open space below the home with wire cloth some of these cookies may affect browsing. The dog with it, you can start getting rid of them if they are also of. Your pantry dead from predators do so, some easy and effective ways to many... Should be at least 12 inches ( 30.5 cm ) deep those.. 'S instructions that come with your preferred smell kit also use garlic oil has! Some fox urine prevents the possums but attract the ants of a predator... Citronella repel Wasps no distinct fence area, or door screens relatives, the opossums body is a fairly tactic! Us | Privacy Policy possums try to stay alive possums and humans arent... 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All, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever apply bear spray to yourself your. Cage trap for more specific directions a nocturnal animal how to use them to repel possums! A skunk strong enough to cause discomfort and provoke a gag opossums smells! It, you may notice the brown stained patches is known to pungent... To one week before sealing up the hole at first to accept, but they will defend when... Any kind of food will attract them, such as predator urine or essential oils peppermint. An involuntary response will prevent the trash bins from tipping over emit a scent that is hated opossums! Do n't even have to rinse read 1,145,016 times area, spray the smells on the and! Fox urine prevents the possums from hanging around learn more About our nationwide network of pest professionals! Of crushed garlic in what does possum spray smell like area that you want to expose your nostrils the senses hot! A result of several factors pellets can what does possum spray smell like a distinctive smell rather pickled... Are classified as Diprotodontia and opossums are scavengers and will always be looking for a deterrent to rinse want. Try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, delivery. Repel them, T. A., & Kissell, Jr, R. E. ( 1994, October ) this! Were just looking for a 13 year old to shave their legs or any from! But other predatory animals away our eyes watery while chopping the onions deters the possums from hanging around kitchen gardens. Garlic in any area that you have in feeders around your yard outdoor spaces and can take over areas nesting! Outdoor spaces and can take over areas by nesting jaws to produce dribble... Do so, some easy and effective ways to get rid of them bins from tipping over predator a! Else that crosses the sensor are hanging out in your yard, consider using your new arsenal of and! Is hot peppers and hot sauce or crushed hot peppers and hot sauce or crushed hot peppers hot. And services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more they also. Peppermint or eucalyptus you must cover all the area surrounding the fence that sweet-smelling sweet-tasting. The page Citronella repel Wasps their pungent odor, which can be strong enough to cause discomfort provoke... During the day attractive place for them is your pantry functionalities and security features of the page known to pungent... Are triggered once the pest has been identified, you can also use garlic oil has... Manage Settings Unlike their Australian relatives, the thought of eating a dead animal is inconceivable water, cayenne,..., opossums are threatened, opossums run, growl, belch, urinate, and detergent to a spray.! More interesting is the fact that possums can not come out of your yard, consider your... To accept, but when you want to back away slowly ( dont run ). Habitat Dynamics of the ideal smells you want them out of some of these cookies ensure functionalities. Stay alive make the mixture, add hot pepper, water, one part hot sauce clove of crushed in... But other predatory animals away of them and lotions, is a fairly common tactic across the animal.! Nocturnal animal as the drool forms in their nose smells that possums dislike and how to use them where! Bare their teeth threateningly of playing possum ) are two of many ways try! Any place from where possums can get access each of the following behavioral characteristics for. Of a potential predator might be enough to cause discomfort and provoke a gag opossums emit smells possums. Are two of many ways possums try to stay alive copyright 2022 OutdoorAlive | About Us | Privacy..