Opossums may seem harmless at first glance, but when these nocturnal creatures find their way into your attic, crawlspaces, or under your deck, they can quickly become a major nuisance. Known for their scavenging habits, opossums can create significant problems within your home, from damage to your property to health risks from their waste and parasites. At Critter Stop, we specialize in professional Georgetown opossum trapping services that focus on humane removal, damage restoration, and long-term prevention. If you suspect that opossums have invaded your home, don’t wait until the damage escalates—let us help you get your property back to a safe, comfortable state.
Opossums are nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re most active at night when you’re asleep. This can make detecting them difficult, especially as they tend to avoid human interaction. However, there are clear signs that indicate they’ve made your home their own:
Unusual Noises at Night
If you hear scratching, thumping, or rustling sounds in your attic, crawlspace, or walls, there’s a good chance an opossum has taken up residence. These sounds often occur in the late evening or early morning when they’re most active.
Disturbed Trash or Pet Food
Opossums are opportunistic scavengers, and they’ll often rummage through your trash bins, pet food bowls, or compost bins in search of food. If you’ve noticed trash scattered around your yard or food missing from outdoor bowls, they could be the culprits.
Signs of Chewing or Damage
Opossums have sharp teeth that can damage insulation, chew through wires, and tear apart wooden supports as they make nests in your attic. If you notice chewed wiring or insulation, it’s a clear sign of their presence.
Droppings and Paw Prints
Opossum droppings are large, tubular, and often appear near entry points, nesting areas, or in the attic. You may also spot small, five-toed paw prints near these areas.
Unpleasant Odors
When opossums leave their waste behind, it can create strong, foul odors. A musty or ammonia-like smell coming from your attic or crawlspace is another indicator that you have an opossum problem.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it’s time to call in a professional Georgetown opossum trapping service like Critter Stop to handle the problem effectively and safely.
While opossums are not typically aggressive creatures, they can cause a range of issues if allowed to remain in or around your home. Here’s why timely intervention is essential:
Property Damage
Opossums can be destructive. They often chew on wires, insulation, and wooden beams while nesting in your attic or crawlspace. This behavior can lead to costly repairs and weaken the structural integrity of your home.
Health and Safety Risks
Opossums can carry diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and tuberculosis. Their droppings, urine, and nesting materials can contaminate your home’s surfaces, creating unsanitary conditions. Furthermore, opossums often bring parasites such as fleas, mites, and ticks into your home, which can also affect your pets and family members.
Odor Problems
Opossum waste, especially when left to decompose, can produce an overpowering smell that seeps into your living space. The ammonia-like odor from their urine and feces can linger, making your home uncomfortable and unhealthy.
Increased Pest Activity
Opossums are known to attract other pests. If they’ve made a nest in your attic or crawlspace, it can attract secondary pests such as rodents, insects, and even larger wildlife, compounding the problem.
Georgetown, with its blend of suburban development and natural landscapes, provides ideal living conditions for opossums. These creatures are drawn to homes for several reasons:
Shelter
Attics, crawlspaces, and basements offer warmth and shelter for opossums, especially during the colder months. They often seek out these quiet, undisturbed spaces to raise their young.
Food Sources
Opossums are opportunistic feeders, and they’re drawn to easily accessible food sources. If you leave pet food outside, have unsecured trash cans, or have compost piles, these can attract opossums to your property.
Easy Entry Points
Opossums are expert climbers and can squeeze through small openings. Gaps around vents, chimneys, windows, and the foundation of your home are common entry points for these creatures.
At Critter Stop, we follow a comprehensive, humane, and legal process to handle opossum infestations. Here’s how we approach every job:
1. Comprehensive Property Inspection
We begin with a full property inspection to identify entry points, nesting areas, and signs of damage. This includes checking your attic, crawlspace, and any other potential access points around the home.
2. Humane Trapping and Removal
Using safe, humane methods, we set up live traps in high-activity areas. Our goal is to safely capture the opossums without causing harm. Once trapped, we relocate the animals to a suitable natural habitat far from your home.
3. Sealing Entry Points
After removal, we seal all identified access points to prevent future infestations. This includes repairing vents, gaps around windows, and holes in the roof or foundation.
4. Cleaning and Sanitation
We remove any droppings, urine, and nesting debris left behind by the opossums. We then sanitize and deodorize the affected areas to eliminate harmful bacteria and unpleasant odors.
5. Long-Term Prevention
We provide ongoing monitoring and advice to ensure the opossums don’t return. Our team shares tips on securing food sources, maintaining your yard, and keeping entry points sealed.
When it comes to opossum removal in Georgetown, Critter Stop stands out for several reasons:
Local Expertise
We understand the specific wildlife challenges that Georgetown residents face, and we have the tools and knowledge to address them effectively.
Humane and Safe Practices
We follow all local and state wildlife regulations and use humane, non-lethal methods to trap and relocate opossums.
All-Inclusive Services
From inspection and trapping to repairs and exclusion, we provide a comprehensive service that covers every aspect of opossum removal.
Fast Response Time
We offer prompt, same-day service for urgent opossum problems, ensuring your home is protected quickly.
Satisfaction Guarantee
We stand by our work. If opossums return after we’ve removed them, we’ll return to fix the problem at no extra charge.
Even after removal, it’s important to take preventative measures to keep opossums from re-entering your home:
1. Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home regularly for any cracks or gaps that could provide access for opossums. Use durable materials to seal off these entry points.
2. Secure Food Sources
Keep pet food, birdseed, and trash in sealed containers to avoid attracting opossums to your property.
3. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Keep tree limbs away from your roof and install secure chimney caps and vent covers to prevent opossums from accessing your home.
4. Schedule Regular Inspections
Annual wildlife inspections can help you catch issues before they escalate and ensure your home remains critter-free.
If you suspect opossums have invaded your home, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Critter Stop provides fast, humane, and effective Georgetown opossum trapping services designed to restore your home’s safety and comfort. Our team is ready to help—call us today at (512) 881-6696 to schedule a free inspection and take the first step toward a safe, opossum-free home.
