Do Possums Eat Bird Seed? 12 Ways To Deter!

Possums are small to medium-sized marsupials of the suborder Phalangeriformes endemic to Australasia, specifically New Guinea, Tasmania, and Australia. The possum is a nocturnal and arboreal animal approximately the size of a house cat, though significantly heavier. 

Possums are mostly herbivorous marsupials, but some are omnivorous. Possums live in many habitats, including forests, mountains, and urban areas, and sleep curled up in a ball during the day. Most possums are nocturnal animals; the exceptions are the ringtail possum and the cuscus, which are diurnal.

Possums are generally solitary animals, but some species live in groups. Possums have a relatively long lifespan for marsupials; one captive brushtail possum lived to be 21 years old. They eat mostly everything.

Do Possums Eat Bird Seed?

Possums and raccoons are often confused because they are both nocturnal, have similar diets, and can look alike. Raccoons are larger than possums, and their tails are bushy with black rings. Possums have pointy noses and long, bare tails.

Possums like having a lot of plants to hide in during the day. Possums will also eat insects, frogs, and birds. Fruits such as apples and grapes are also a favorite food of possums.

Bird seed spilled on the ground can attract possums. To keep possums away, clean up any bird seed that spills on the ground and store bird seed in a sealed container.

Possums are opportunistic eaters and will consume just about anything they can find. This includes bird seed. While possums generally prefer fresh fruit and vegetables, they will eat bird seed if available. Possums are not particularly fond of bird seed, but they will eat it if they are hungry enough. Some types of bird seeds that possums will eat are sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn.

Possums are attracted to bird seed because it is an easy food source. Possums are not particularly fond of bird seed, but they will eat it if they are hungry enough. Possums are opportunistic eaters and will consume just about anything they can find.

What Attracts Possums To My House?

Possums are attracted to yards with a lot of vegetation because they provide the possums with shelter and places to hide. To keep possums away, trim back any overgrown vegetation and remove any piles of wood or debris. If you have a fence, ensure it is in good repair and does not have any holes that the possums can squeeze through.

Bird seed spilled on the ground can attract possums. To keep possums away, clean up any bird seed that spills on the ground and store bird seed in a sealed container. Possums are also attracted to pet food, so it is important to keep pet food indoors.

Trash cans are another attractant for possums. Possums are attracted to the smell of garbage, so it is important to keep your trash cans sealed. If you have a compost bin, ensure it is secured so possums cannot get into it.

How Deter Possums From Your Garden?

Possums have a nose that will twitch when they smell food. This is how they find most of their food. If you have a garden, it is good that a possum has already found it and is eating your plants. There are several ways to deter possums from your garden, including:

1.Prune Tree Branches:

Possums like to climb trees, so trimming branches will make it more difficult for them to access your garden. Block off the possum’s access. If possums are climbing over a fence to get into your garden, try blocking off their access with chicken wire or another fencing.

2.Use Bleach To Remove Possum Smells:

Possums are attracted to the smell of food, so cleaning up any spills in your garden will help deter them. You can also use bleach to remove possum smells from your garden.

3.Use Repellents:

Several commercially available repellents will deter possums from your garden. These repellents usually contain predator urine or unpleasant smells that possums will avoid.

4.Remove Food Sources:

Possums are attracted to gardens because of the food. If you remove the food sources, the possums will have no reason to visit your garden. Possums like to eat fruits and vegetables, so removing these from your garden will help deter them.

5.Clean Up Debris:

Possums like to hide in debris, so keeping your garden clean will help deter them. Remove any dead leaves or branches from your garden, and keep the area around your garden free of debris.

6.Make An Ammonia Possum Repellent:

Pour 1 cup of ammonia into a bucket. Fill the bucket with water, and stir to mix. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and label it “possum repellent.” Spray the possum repellent around the perimeter of your garden. Reapply the possum repellent every week or as needed.

7.Use Hot Pepper Or Tabasco Sauce:

Pour hot pepper or tabasco sauce onto a cotton ball. Rub the cotton ball around the perimeter of your garden. The possums will smell the sauce and stay away from your garden.

8.Make A Loud Noise:

Possums are shy animals, and they will avoid areas with a lot of noise. If you make a loud noise when you see a possum in your garden, it will likely scare the possum away. You can also try using a motion-activated sprinkler to deter possums from your garden.

9.Plant Garlic:

Garlic is a natural repellent for possums. Planting garlic around the perimeter of your garden will help deter possums from entering. They hate the smell of garlic, so this is a great way to keep them away.

10.Use fish oil spray:

Fish oil is another natural repellent for possums. Mix 1 part fish oil with ten parts water, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Label the spray bottle “possum repellent” and spray it around the perimeter of your garden. Reapply the possum repellent every week or as needed.

11.Use A Possum Trap:

If you have a possum problem, you may want to consider using a possum trap. Possum traps are available at most hardware stores. Check your local laws before setting a trap, as trapping possums is regulated in some areas.

12.Call Professionals:

If you have a serious possum problem, you may need to call the professionals. Several pest control companies specialize in possum removal. These companies will be able to help you get rid of the possums in your garden, and they will also be able to provide advice on how to prevent possums from returning.

As you can see, there are several ways to deter possums from your garden. Try out a few of these methods, and see which ones work best. Possums are attracted to gardens because of the food. If you remove the food sources, the possums will have no reason to visit your garden. Possums like to eat fruits and vegetables, so removing these from your garden will help deter them. Pruning tree branches and repellents can also help deter possums from your garden.

What Is The Difference Between An Opossum And A Possum?

The main difference between opossums and possums is that opossums are native to North America while possums are native to Australia. Opossums are also smaller than possums, and their tails are prehensile, which means they can grasp objects with their tails. On the other hand, possums have non-prehensile tails and are larger than opossums. Additionally, possums are nocturnal, while opossums are active during the day.

Both are marsupials, meaning they have a pouch in which they carry their young. Opossums are also known to play dead when they feel threatened, while possums will hiss and growl when they feel threatened. Finally, opossums are omnivores, while possums are herbivores.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, there are several ways to deter possums from your garden. These include removing food sources, using repellents, and trapping the possums. Possums are attracted to gardens because of the food, so removing them will help deter them. You can also use repellents to keep possums away from your garden. If you have a serious problem with possums, you may need to call the professionals.

You can also read:

Do Skunks Eat Bird Seed? 7 Tips To Deter Them

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What Do House Geckos Eat? A Guide to the Diet of House Geckos!

Do Raccoons Eat Bird Seed? 15 Ways To Deter!