Fences are an effective way to keep your yard safe and secure, but you may have a fence-climbing animal on the loose. This guide will teach you how to protect against, detect, and deter possums from climbing fences in your back yard.
The “can possums climb metal fences” is a question that many people are curious about. It turns out, the answer is yes. Possums can climb metal fences and if you want to protect your yard from them, there are some tips on how to do so.
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There are a number of creatures that may wreak havoc on a yard in their own special way. Each of them may be both adorable and damaging in its own manner, making it more difficult for homeowners to get rid of them.
Possums are one of these creatures. Possums have some adorable characteristics, but they may be aggressive when they are around humans.
Not only that, but they may get into your yard and eat your waste, as well as bring parasites and illnesses with them, albeit the risk of infection is minimal.
However, there is one thing you may not know about possums: they can climb.
Possums Can Climb Fences
Possums can, in fact, scale fences. Despite their small, stubby legs, they can easily scale a fence.
This is due to the fact that their rear feet have large claws and even thumbs. This makes navigating brick barriers, timber fences, and trees much simpler for them.
Their feet are also fairly robust, allowing them to grasp onto a variety of surfaces. They are adept climbers on almost any surface because to their powerful feet.
They also have a prehensile tail to grip objects if that wasn’t enough. They utilize it to assist grip branches and steady themselves when climbing trees in particular.
The tail is also utilized to carry items like nesting materials so that they may climb with their hands free. You could even witness them using their tails to swing from tree limbs.
Why Are Possums in My Backyard?
Possums are scavengers, so keep that in mind. They are continuously on the lookout for resources to construct a nest or food for themselves and their young.
They are also omnivores, meaning they will consume just about everything they come across.
What does this imply in terms of your lawn? If you keep your garbage cans outdoors, you could get a surprise visit from one of these animals.
They are drawn to garbage cans that are either overflowing or have a very strong rubbish odor. They’ll also find their way into compost heaps and any other outdoor storage containers.
Possums like damp places, especially those with sewers, drainage ditches, or ponds.
They are nocturnal creatures, which means you have a very little possibility of seeing them during the day. They like to sleep during the day, scavenge for food, and are most active after dusk.
Possums: How to Recognize Them
Possums are roughly the same size as a domestic cat. Because they are tiny and operate largely at night, you are likely to hear one before seeing one. As they search for food, you’ll undoubtedly hear them scratching.
Possums are also noted for generating shrieking and hissing sounds, especially when they feel threatened. Possums may also do minor property damage and make a mess of your garbage can if given the chance to dig through it.
A possum visit may manifest itself in a variety of ways. Scratches on your rubbish or the exterior of your home are possible.
If you keep your pet food outside, you may notice unpleasant odors or vanishing food. A trail of nesting materials, especially within holes or fractures, may also be present.
Also look in your basement and attic. They have the ability to enter into small areas and establish themselves there.
Keeping Them Out of Your Yard
If you suspect that possums are causing a problem in your yard, the first step is to eliminate any possible food sources. Possums will not settle in your yard unless there is a substantial supply of food.
Garbage cans should not be kept outside. Keep them in a garage or shed so that possums can’t get to them. The same may be said of pet food.
Make sure the food is stored in a sealable plastic container, even if it’s in the garage. This will not only keep possums out of your pet food, but it will also keep other pests out of your dog or cat food.
Consider removing bird feeders, as lovely as they are. Bird feeders are infamous for attracting undesirable visitors, despite the fact that they are home to some lovely birds.
Possums like to go into birdhouses and eat the bird food inside. It’s also a good idea to keep bird homes sealed up to avoid infections from spreading between possums and soiled places.
It’s critical to never add animal products to your compost if you’re a composter. Possums will find it appealing as a food source and will continue to dig and pick at it as long as they have access.
At the absolute least, make sure your compost pile is contained in a closed container to keep them out.
Garden vegetables may also be a tasty source of nutrition. They won’t take fruits and vegetables right off the vine, but any fallen or overripe items will appeal to them.
Possums should not be a problem if your garden is kept tidy.
Remove Hiding Places
Possums are still quite low on the food chain, despite the fact that they are omnivores. They are diminutive in height and have stubby legs, after all.
They can’t do much to protect themselves against a bigger predator. This is why they must seek out conveniently accessible hiding places.
Possums, like other pests, may hide in hard-to-reach places, so it’s crucial to eliminate any potential hiding sites. By removing such hiding locations, they will no longer feel comfortable or secure lurking on your property and will most likely relocate.
Begin by removing any dense hedges, bushes, or longer strands of vegetation. Don’t simply leave stacks of wood or leaves around.
Any device big enough to accommodate a possum should be stored (garden pots and wheelbarrows in particular).
Possums like a cluttered environment because it provides them with several options for refuge. When you limit their alternatives, they will seek protection and shelter elsewhere.
Make Use of Additional Yard Lighting
Possums are nocturnal creatures. That means they only emerge when it is dark outside, and they hide in the shadows to defend themselves.
When it becomes dark in your yard, the possums have the ideal hiding.
Use floodlights on the outside. Attach them to your house, as well as outbuildings and garages. Focus the lights on the trouble parts of your yard if you’re confident you have a possum issue.
Even if you don’t have a known possum issue, keeping your lights focused on compost heaps and garbage cans will deter these pests from locating a food supply.
Use motion-activated lights in your yard if you don’t want continual illumination (and the associated high utility costs). This manner, they’ll only turn on when someone scurries through the yard (possums included).
The suddenness of the lights should deter a broad range of pests, including possums.
Get Rid of Them
Possums have very sensitive noses. Some odors will not only compel them to leave, but will also keep them gone for good.
There are certain pesticides that are practically ubiquitous, but it’s best to stick to the odors that keep possums away.
Possums, for example, are easily deterred by mothballs. Poke a few holes in the top of the lid and place them in a sealed container.
Place the containers in areas where you believe possums congregate, such as a garage or shed. The fragrance of the mothballs should deter them from entering that area, if not the whole yard.
If you have a dog, cleaning up dog pee is very simple. The scent of urine may alert animals to the presence of a predator nearby, frightening them away.
In a spray bottle, combine 2,000 parts water and 1 part dog urine. Spray the possum-infested parts of your yard, and the issue should be gone in no time.
Blood meal is similar to dog urine. Apply a little amount of blood meal to your garage, shed, garden, or other trouble spots. The fragrance will lead them to believe that a predator has been eating in the vicinity.
Because the possums’ safety and security are paramount, they will not risk remaining in the area if they suspect a predator is there. These should be effective possum removal methods.
The “can possums jump” is a question that has been asked many times. The answer to the question is no, they cannot. If you want to protect your yard from possums, there are some tips available on this blog.
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