Opossums in New Jersey: What You Need to Know

What Do Opossums and Kangaroos Have in Common?

Both opossums and kangaroos are marsupials—mammals that carry and nurse their young in pouches. Opossums are the only marsupial native to North America, and they’re known for their scavenging habits. These opportunistic eaters will dine on nearly anything, including human food waste, which often draws them to homes and businesses throughout New Jersey.

To protect your property, it’s important to understand their behavior, how to prevent them, and when to call for professional wildlife control.

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What Are Opossums?

Opossums are about the size of a large house cat, with gray fur, a white face, and a pointed pink snout. While they may look intimidating, they are generally not aggressive. Interestingly, opossums eat a wide variety of pests—including up to 5,000 ticks per season—making them helpful in controlling some insect populations.

However, when they start rummaging through trash or nesting on your property, it’s time to take action.

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How to Identify Opossums

From a distance, opossums can easily be mistaken for raccoons or cats due to their size and coloring. Up close, you’ll notice their hairless tails, sharp teeth, and distinct snouts.

If you come across an opossum that looks dead, be careful—it might be “playing possum.” As a defense mechanism, they can faint and emit a foul odor to deter predators, according to our New Jersey wildlife control experts at E&G Pest Solutions. You don’t want to discover the hard way that it’s still alive!

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Are Opossums Dangerous or Just a Nuisance?

Opossums rarely cause structural damage, but they can be a messy nuisance. In their search for food, they may knock over garbage cans, tear open compost bins, and scatter trash, attracting other pests to your property.

While they do not carry rabies, they can host fleas and parasites, which pose health risks to pets. The best solution is to contact a professional wildlife control specialist to remove them safely and humanely.

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When Are Opossums Active in New Jersey?

Opossums are active year-round, though they may shelter more in the winter months. They are nocturnal, meaning you’re most likely to spot them at night searching for food. If you’re hearing noises in your attic or finding garbage scattered in the morning, opossums could be the cause.

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How to Keep Opossums Away

Because opossums are nomadic and opportunistic, prevention is key to keeping them away. Our New Jersey wildlife control experts recommend:

• Securing garbage and compost bins with tight-fitting lids
• Sealing cracks and gaps in your attic, roof, or foundation
• Trimming trees and branches near your roofline to prevent access
• Storing pet food indoors and cleaning up fallen fruit or birdseed

If an opossum has already found its way into your attic, crawl space, or garage, don’t try to remove it yourself. Call the professionals at E&G Pest Solutions for safe, humane opossum removal and exclusion services.

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Protect Your New Jersey Property Today

Don’t let opossums take over your home or business. The experts at E&G Pest Solutions provide comprehensive wildlife control services across New Jersey, helping you keep your property safe, clean, and pest-free.