Possums, or opossums, are nocturnal animals that grow to be about the size of a large cat, but they sure can be peskier than a rogue kitten roaming your yard! Safely and humanely trapping a possum isn’t too hard, but it does take some patience and the right equipment. In this article, we’ll show you how to lure a possum into a cage, relocate it to a new habitat, and prevent future possums from invading your yard. Let’s begin!

Things You Should Know

  • Place a large cage trap near the possum’s den or in areas that it frequents. Use bait like marshmallows, apples, and other sweet foods to lure it inside.
  • Once caught, cover the cage with a blanket and drive the possum to a new location at least 25 miles (40 km) away from your home and release it.
  • Keep your garbage secure in bins, close off access to potential shelter (like underneath a porch), and trim trees around your house to keep possums away.
  • Contact your local animal or pest control agency for advice on how and where to relocate a possum (or to request that they do it instead).
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Setting the Trap

  1. 1
    Buy a large steel cage. Because possums can grow to be the size of a large cat, i.e., two to three feet long and four to 15 pounds, you will need to buy a large, steel cage trap. These traps are also known as raccoon traps. Buy a cage that is about 30 to 40 inches (.762 to 1 meter) in length and 12 inches (.305 meters) in height. Visit your local hardware store to purchase a trap cage.[1]
    • Most traps come in one or two-door models. It is recommended that you buy a one-door model. One-door models offer better bait protection and are better at catching larger animals.
  2. 2
    Place the trap in the area the possum frequents. The best location for the trap is near the possum’s den. However, if you don’t know where the possum’s den is, then place the trap in the area where you have noticed the most activity or damage, like near garbage cans. Because possums are nocturnal marsupials, place the trap in the designated area just before nightfall.[2]
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  3. 3
    Bait the trap. Because possums are omnivores, almost any type of bait will work. However, try to choose bait that will only attract possums and not other animals, like cats. Apples, aniseed oil on bread, marshmallows, and other sweet bread are good examples of bait that will only attract possums.[3]
  4. 4
    Check the trap frequently. Check the trap every morning after you set it. You do not want the possum to be stuck in the trap for more than a day. This can cause the possum to become hungry and thirsty, and thus, anxious and aggressive. They are also more vulnerable to predators if they are trapped for long periods of time.[4]
    • If your trap is still empty in the morning, close the trap to avoid catching day time animals, like cats and squirrels.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Relocating the Possum

  1. 1
    Put on heavy gloves. Once you have caught the possum, you will need to remove the cage with the possum in it. When handling the cage, make sure you wear heavy gloves. Buy gloves that are specifically made for handling animals, for example, Kevlar gloves.[5]
  2. 2
    Place a blanket over the cage. Before lifting the cage, place a blanket over it. Placing a blanket over the cage will calm the possum. It will also prevent the possum from reaching out to grab your hands, legs, or shoes. When lifting the cage, make sure to lift it by the handle.[6]
  3. 3
    Place the trap on a newspaper. Place the trap on top of newspaper or in a cardboard box in your car or in the back of your truck. This will prevent any feces from getting on your car while transporting the possum.[7]
  4. 4
    Relocate the possum. Contact your local wildlife management agency to find safe and humane relocation areas. Because possums have a great sense of smell and direction, you should relocate the possum to an area that is at least 25 miles from your home.[8]
    • Examples of safe and humane relocation areas are wildlife preserves, forests, and areas that are similar to a possum’s natural habitat.
  5. 5
    Open the cage and step away. When you find a suitable relocation area, safely set the trap down on the ground. Point the opening of the trap away from you, and in the direction of the area where you intend to relocate the animal, i.e., facing the forest. Push down on the safety bar and springs, and pull the trap door all the way up. This will allow the possum to exit the trap safely.[9]
  6. 6
    Contact your local animal control agency. If you are uncomfortably relocating the possum yourself, then contact your local animal control or wildlife management agency. Let them know that you captured a possum and need help relocating it. They will send someone to your home to relocate the possum for you.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Deterring Possums from Your Home

  1. 1
    Eliminate sources of food. A great way to deter possums from your home is to eliminate their food sources. Eliminate their food sources by securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.[10] Also, clean up fallen nuts, fruit, berries, and birdseed around your house.[11]
    • You should also remove any uneaten pet food that is placed outside your home.
  2. 2
    Close off access to shelter. By preventing access to sheltered areas, like the underside of your house, you can make your house inhospitable for possums.[12] To do this, place or repair screens that close off openings to your garage, porch (underneath your porch, too), sheds, poultry houses, and other small places that possums can hide in.[13]
    • Make sure to repair any broken vents, screens, roofing, and siding to prevent possums from making a home out of your home.
  3. 3
    Trim the trees around your house. To keep possums from making a home out of your attic, trim tree branches that hang over your roof. It is recommended that you trim all tree branches within 10 feet of your roof to prevent possums from entering your attic.[14]
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  1. Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
  2. http://www.havahart.com/how-to-trap-opossums
  3. Kevin Carrillo. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.
  4. http://www.havahart.com/how-to-trap-opossums
  5. http://www.havahart.com/how-to-trap-opossums

About This Article

Kevin Carrillo
Co-authored by:
MMPC, Pest Control Specialist
This article was co-authored by Kevin Carrillo. Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News. This article has been viewed 240,820 times.
23 votes - 88%
Co-authors: 16
Updated: March 18, 2023
Views: 240,820
Article SummaryX

To trap a possum, start by buying a large steel cage trap that’s at least 30 inches long and 12 inches high. Next, place the trap on an even surface in the area where you suspect the possum may be, and bait it with apples, marshmallows, or sweet bread. Once the trap is baited and set, check it at least once a day, because leaving a possum in the trap for too long may cause it to become anxious and aggressive. If you find a possum in the trap, cover the cage with a blanket to calm it, then relocate it at least 25 miles away. To learn how to keep possums from coming back into your yard or home, keep reading.

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