Do opossums carry rabies?
Very rarely. Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says the chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. Still, never handle one.
Opossum
Quick facts
The opossum is a scavenger that feeds mostly at night and dens in abandoned animal dens, tree cavities, trash heaps, rock and brush piles, and buildings, including under decks, sheds and outbuildings.
| Where you'll find it | Under decks, sheds and outbuildings; also abandoned dens, tree cavities, trash heaps, rock and brush piles |
|---|---|
| Feeds | Mostly at night |
| Litter size | Averages 9 young, one or two litters a year |
| Breeding | Starts in early March; gestation about 13 days |
| Rabies | Extremely rare in opossums |
Long Island season
Breeding starts in early March
How to identify it
Opossums live in abandoned animal dens, tree cavities, trash heaps, rock and brush piles, and buildings. Around a house that means under decks, sheds and outbuildings.
They are scavengers that feed mostly at night on insects, worms, carrion, reptiles, amphibians, birds and eggs, berries, fruit and small mammals.
Why it matters
The issue under a deck is family size. Breeding starts in early March and gestation is about 13 days. Females have one or two litters a year averaging 9 young, which stay in the pouch for about 60 days, are weaned at about 80 days and are independent by about 100 days. Rabies is extremely rare in opossums, but you should still never handle one.
Can I handle it myself?
You can make the yard less inviting: bring pet food in at night, keep garbage secure, pick up fallen fruit, and keep the yard lit. To block the space under a deck or shed, attach hardware cloth to the bottom edge, bend it outward about two feet, and bury it a few inches deep.
If an opossum is already living under the deck or shed, call us before you close anything off.
How Bobby Bugs treats it
We trap and remove opossums denning under decks, sheds, porches and in garages, then cover the den opening with wire mesh, with a 6-month written guarantee on nesting removal. For opossums that are only in the yard, we run a 10-day exterior trapping program with no guarantee. Every job starts with a free written quote.
More on Opossum removal on Long Island.
Related answers
Frequently asked questions
How many babies does an opossum have?
Litters average 9 young, and a female can have one or two litters a year. The young stay in the pouch for about 60 days and are independent by about 100 days.
Sources
Think you have an opossum under your deck or shed? Call (516) 509-6001 for a free written quote.