Opossum Removal New York
Opossums under your deck, in your crawl space, or attic? Our NYS DEC licensed technicians trap and relocate New York's only marsupial humanely — then seal entry points permanently.
Signs You Have an Opossum Problem
Opossum tracks — hand-like prints with opposable inner toe
Rustling or shuffling sounds under deck or crawl space at night
Musky odor from under deck, crawl space, or shed
Raided trash cans or pet food left outside
Opossum sighted on property at night
Droppings near foundation, deck, or garden areas
New York's Only Marsupial
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is North America's only marsupial — a pouched mammal that raises its young attached to nipples inside the mother's pouch for the first several weeks of life. More closely related to kangaroos and wallabies than to raccoons or other common NY wildlife, opossums are a fascinating but sometimes problematic presence in New York homes.
Opossums have expanded their range northward over the past century and are now common throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Hudson Valley. Suburban environments with accessible garbage, gardens, and pet food provide ideal habitat. Their omnivorous diet — they eat insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and carrion — makes suburban neighborhoods highly attractive.
Female opossums can carry up to 13 joeys in their pouch, and juveniles often remain riding on the mother's back for several more weeks after emerging from the pouch. A mother opossum on your property may represent a family of 10 or more animals.
Playing Dead: The Opossum's Defense
The phrase "playing possum" comes from the opossum's remarkable defense mechanism: when severely stressed or threatened, opossums involuntarily enter a catatonic state that mimics death. The animal goes limp, its heart rate drops, its breathing slows, and it emits a foul-smelling musk from its anal glands to further convince predators it is dead and unappetizing.
This is an involuntary neurological response — the opossum is not consciously "playing." It may remain in this state for minutes to hours. If you find an opossum in this state in your home or yard, do not assume it is dead. Do not attempt to handle it — call a licensed technician.
This defensive passivity actually makes opossums easier to trap humanely than more aggressive species. However, they will bite if directly physically threatened while conscious — always use protective equipment.
Disease Risk: Leptospirosis & Parasites
While opossums very rarely carry rabies (their body temperature is below the threshold required for the rabies virus to survive), they do present other health considerations:
- •Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease spread through opossum urine that can contaminate soil and water. Can cause serious illness in humans and pets. Areas where opossums have been denning should be disinfected after removal.
- •Fleas and ticks: Opossums host fleas and ticks — including deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), the primary vector for Lyme disease in New York. Interestingly, opossums kill most of the ticks that attempt to feed on them, but they still transport them onto your property.
- •Fecal contamination: Opossum feces in crawl spaces and under decks should be cleaned up and the area disinfected after removal.
Our Humane Opossum Removal Process
Inspection
Identify den locations, entry points, and number of animals. Check for joeys or juveniles that may be present.
Live Trapping
Cage traps set at den entrances. Opossums are generally easy to trap. Daily monitoring until all animals are captured.
Relocation
Opossums relocated per NYSDEC guidelines. Mother opossums with young handled with special care.
Exclusion
All den entry points sealed. Under-deck areas secured with buried hardware cloth to prevent future wildlife entry.
Related Wildlife Services
Opossum Removal by County
Opossum Removal FAQ
Opossum Under Your Deck? Call Today.
Humane trapping, relocation, and permanent exclusion. NYS DEC licensed technicians serving all of New York.