Do Opossums Carry Rabies?
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says the chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare. Still, do not handle one.
Where Opossums Live Around Your House
Opossums live under decks, sheds and other structures, in outbuildings, brush piles and trash heaps. They feed mostly at night on insects, worms, carrion, fruit, eggs and small animals.
Opossum Babies
These figures come from Connecticut wildlife biologists. Breeding usually starts in early March, and gestation lasts about 13 days. Females have one or two litters a year averaging 9 young. Newborns are about the size of a navy bean and stay in the pouch for about 60 days, are weaned at about 80 days and are usually on their own by about 100 days.
How We Remove Opossums
We handle opossums in two ways. Nesting removal is for opossums living inside the structure, under a deck, porch or shed or in a garage. We remove the animal and cover the entry hole with wire mesh, and the job carries a 6-month written guarantee.
Exterior trapping is a 10-day trapping program for opossums that are only in the yard. There is no guarantee on the exterior program. Every job starts with a free written quote, and we serve Nassau and Suffolk County.
How to Keep Opossums Away
- Bring pet food in at night and keep garbage covered in a secure spot.
- Pick up fallen fruit.
- Keep the yard well lit at night; opossums prefer darkness.
- Block the space under decks and sheds: attach hardware cloth to the bottom edge, bend it outward about two feet, and bury it a few inches deep.
Sources
Related reading
What customers say
So let’s start with this.I was out of town, and my daughter called me in a frenzy that she saw a roach. 10 years in that house never had roaches. Here I am out of state trying to figure out the fastest way to help my daughter. Saw the name BOBBY BUGS and the reviews and figured I would call them up.I called spoke to Anthony not only did he go above and beyond for us but the service was fantastic. William who showed up at the house was simply incredible and made my daughter feel at ease. Thank you for helping our little Italian Family out in such a pinch. Grazie Mille Adriana
Fast, friendly service. I called in the morning and Will came to my house that evening. Will was great. I would definitely use Bobby's Bugs again and recommend them.
Response was super quick to my inquiry and someone was able to be sent out out quickly. Will came and explained the process, walked me through and showed me what he had done, and reviewed the service order to make sure none of my requests were missed. It was a great experience overall and truck wasn't announcing itself to the neighborhood either which was a plus.
Reviewed October 2026
Frequently asked questions
Are opossums dangerous?
Rarely. Connecticut wildlife officials say the chance of rabies in opossums is extremely rare, but you should still never handle one. If an opossum is living under your deck or shed, we trap and remove it for you.
How do I stop an opossum from getting back under my deck?
Attach hardware cloth to the bottom edge of the deck, bend it outward about two feet, and bury it a few inches deep.
How much does opossum removal cost on Long Island?
It depends on where the opossum is denning, how many openings there are, and whether young are present. We give a free written quote after we look.