Opossum Removal in Gainesville, FL

An opossum under the deck or in the crawlspace can go unnoticed for weeks, until the smell, the noise or the dog’s barking gives it away. Opossums don’t dig their own dens. They move into spaces that are already there, and around a house that usually means under a deck, shed or porch, in a crawlspace, or up in the attic. Premier Pest & Wildlife Control removes opossums from homes and businesses in Gainesville and across Alachua County, seals the way in and cleans up what they left behind.

Call (352) 577-8229 Request an Inspection

Signs You Have an Opossum

• Thumping, shuffling or dragging sounds at night, under the floor or overhead
• A strong musky or rotten smell near a crawlspace, deck or vent
• Torn crawlspace vent screens or skirting pulled loose around a deck or mobile home
• Overturned trash cans and pet food bowls emptied overnight
• Droppings near a den opening
• An animal about the size of a house cat, with a pale face and a long, bare tail, seen around dusk or after dark

Not sure what’s down there? → Scratching in the attic

Where Opossums Den Around Gainesville Homes

Under decks, porches and sheds

Low decks and sheds give opossums a dry, dark spot close to the ground. Gaps in lattice or skirting are a common way in.

Crawlspaces and under the house

Broken or missing crawlspace vent covers and gaps along the foundation let opossums under the floor, where they can tear into ductwork and insulation.

Attics and garages

Opossums climb well. They can reach a roof by way of overhanging branches or fences and get into attics through gaps at soffits and roof returns. They also wander into open garages looking for food.

Why DIY Opossum Trapping Is Risky

• Babies may be involved. The Virginia opossum is North America’s only marsupial. Females carry their young in a pouch and later on their backs, so catching one adult can leave young behind or separate a mother from her litter.
• Florida has rules. Wildlife in Florida is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and that includes how animals can be trapped, handled and released. Moving an animal to another property isn’t something to improvise.
• They can bite. An opossum that feels cornered may hiss, show its teeth or bite, and they can carry fleas and ticks.
• Trapping alone doesn’t fix the cause. If the opening stays open, another animal moves into the same spot.

More on this: The dangers of DIY wildlife removal

Our Opossum Removal and Exclusion Process

1. Inspect. We confirm it’s an opossum, find the den and every entry point, check for young, and note any damage.
2. Remove. We remove the opossum with live traps, using humane methods that follow all FWC guidance and laws.
3. Seal. We close the entry points under decks, around crawlspaces and at the roofline. We use galvanized and/or painted steel for all exclusion work. → Wildlife exclusion
4. Clean up. We remove droppings, nesting material and soiled insulation and repair damage.

Opossum under the house right now? Call (352) 577-8229.

Cleanup and Prevention

Opossums leave droppings, urine and nesting material behind, and the odor can linger in a crawlspace or attic. If an opossum dies under the house or in a wall, the smell can be strong. → Dead animal removal

To make your property less inviting:

• Keep trash cans closed and pet food indoors at night
• Pick up fallen fruit and birdseed under feeders
• Keep crawlspace vents and deck skirting intact
• Trim branches that hang over the roof

FAQ

Are opossums dangerous?

They usually avoid people. A cornered opossum may hiss, bare its teeth or “play possum,” and it can bite if handled. Don’t try to pick one up or corner it.

Do opossums carry rabies?

Rabies in opossums is considered rare, but any wild mammal can carry it. Keep children and pets away and don’t handle the animal.

Will an opossum leave on its own?

Opossums often move between dens, so one may leave for a while. The opening is still there, though, and another animal can move in. Sealing the entry point is what ends the problem.

Is it “opossum” or “possum”?

Same animal. In Florida, people use both names for the Virginia opossum.

Do you remove opossums from attics?

Yes. We remove opossums from attics, crawlspaces and under decks, porches and sheds, then seal the way in.

What does opossum removal cost?

It depends on the job: where the opossum is, whether there are young, the number of entry points and the cleanup needed. Call (352) 577-8229 for a quote.

Is there a warranty?

Yes. Wildlife work typically comes with a 30-90 day warranty, depending on the type of work, and an optional one-year or lifetime warranty is available.

Opossum Removal in Gainesville and Alachua County

We handle opossum and other animal removal across Gainesville and all of Alachua County, and in surrounding towns including Alachua, Archer, Bronson, Fort White, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, McIntosh, Micanopy, Newberry, Tioga, Trenton, Waldo and Williston. Premier is licensed and carries a $1 million liability insurance policy. We offer same-day service and 24/7 emergency service. → Wildlife removal in Gainesville · Emergency wildlife removal

Opossum under the house, deck or in the attic? Call (352) 577-8229 for an inspection, with 24/7 emergency service. · Request an inspection