The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to the United States—and it’s more common than you might think. These nocturnal mammals move quietly, climb with ease, and often find their way into attics, garages, or crawl spaces in search of food and shelter.
While they’re generally non-aggressive, an opossum inside your home or business can damage insulation, leave behind droppings, and cause unnecessary stress.
Opossums are medium-sized, nocturnal marsupials known for their adaptability and quiet, solitary nature.
While many people use the terms “possum” and “opossum” interchangeably, they’re actually two different animals from opposite sides of the world. Opossums belong to the Didelphidae family and are native to the Americas. Possums, on the other hand, are part of the Phalangeridae family and are found in Australia and parts of Asia. Though both are marsupials, they differ in physical appearance, behavior, and ecological role.
The Virginia opossum has grayish fur, a white face, and a long, hairless prehensile tail used for balance and climbing. It plays an important role in the ecosystem by helping control insects, rodents, and even ticks.
The Virginia opossum has a distinctive look and behaviors that make it easy to identify, especially in suburban and wooded areas.
The opossum is a highly adaptable marsupial that thrives in a wide range of environments. Their ability to find shelter and food in both natural and human-made environments often brings them close to homes, making them a common focus of wildlife exclusion efforts.
Opossums are found throughout most of the United States, favoring areas with nearby water, shelter, and food sources. They thrive in forests, farmland, and residential neighborhoods, often nesting in hollow logs, brush piles, or abandoned burrows. In urban areas, they may take shelter in attics, crawl spaces, sheds, or under decks—anywhere quiet and protected.
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat a wide variety of foods depending on what’s available. Their diet includes insects, small rodents, eggs, fruit, grains, and even carrion. In suburban areas, they’re often drawn to pet food, compost, and unsecured garbage bins.
Opossums have short lifespans, but they reproduce quickly and often, which helps maintain their population across a wide range:
Opossums are nocturnal and solitary by nature, typically foraging alone at night in search of food and shelter. They're excellent climbers and use their prehensile tails and sharp claws to access roofs, trees, or crawl spaces. One of their most well-known behaviors is "playing dead", a natural defense response to threats.
Despite their reputation, they are generally quiet, non-aggressive animals that prefer to avoid conflict and keep to themselves.
You may hear movement at night, notice damage to plants, or find disturbed insulation in your roof space. Droppings, scratching sounds, stripped bark, or overturned compost bins can also point to possum activity. If you see repeated signs, it may be time to look into nuisance animal control for support.
Businesses can face unique risks when wildlife enters their premises. Opossums can damage stock, wiring, and insulation, potentially interrupting daily operations. Our team supports shops, farms, warehouses, and offices with business pest control services designed to protect your property and minimize downtime.
Opossums can lead to noise, mess, and property damage. Our technicians inspect your area, look for entry points, and help to guide opossums out in a humane way. We also help to protect your property from future visits.
If you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with an opossum or another animal, we can identify the issue on-site and offer clear next steps.
Opossums look for food, water, and shelter. Open compost, fallen fruit, pet food, and accessible roof spaces can draw them in. Cleaning up food sources and sealing gaps can help reduce interest.
Opossums are usually shy and try to avoid people. They may hiss or defend themselves if cornered, but this is a response to fear, not aggression. If you’re unsure how to handle an opossum, it’s best to contact professional pest control services for guidance.
Opossums live in trees, roof voids, sheds, and dense vegetation. Because they’re active at night, they often go unnoticed until signs of activity become clear.