When you think of dangerous animals, the opossum probably isn’t the first creature to come to mind. This is because opossums, the only known marsupial species in North America, are typically docile animals that like to keep to themselves and avoid human contact. However, just like any wild animal, opossum can attack when provoked. Therefore, if opossums are living on your property, consult with a wildlife removal expert instead of attempting to remove them on your own.
If you discover nuisance opossums nesting on your property, just because they are docile, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t dangerous. The average homeowner should not try to remove them.
The Dangers of Attempting DIY Opossum Removal
While it is important to reiterate that opossums are nonaggressive creatures, even docile critters will bite, scratch, or attack if they feel threatened. Especially if the opossum you encounter is a new mother trying to protect her young. An opossum attack might only sustain you a minor injury, but the real danger comes from what an opossum can spread to you through its saliva.
While opossums are often mischaracterized as carriers of rabies, their body temperature is too low to host the disease. However, the pests are known to carry a number of dangerous diseases and parasites that can easily spread to you if you ever come into close contact with them. At any given time, a wild opossum can potentially be carrying:
- Chagas Disease
- Coccidiosis
- Leptospirosis
- Relapsing Fever
- Spotted Fever
- Toxoplasmosis
- Trichomoniasis
- Tuberculosis
- Tularemia
In addition to infectious diseases, opossums are also known to carry parasites like fleas, lice, mites, and ticks. Such pests can each spread their own host of diseases to you or your pets.
If you are a homeowner with no pest removal experience or the right protective gear to handle wild animals, then it is best to leave opossum removal to the trained opossum removal experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers.
Professional Opossum Removal Services Near You
At Animal Wildlife Trappers, our wildlife removal technicians are experienced and equipped to deliver fast and effective opossum removal services. Hiring our licensed wildlife professionals is the safest and most efficient way to permanently remove an opossum or any other type of wild animal from your property in Central Florida.
Schedule an appointment with one of our opossum removal professionals and receive a complimentary estimate for our services by calling Animal Wildlife Trappers today at 352-267-0546.