one way possum filter
November 27, 2015 9:01 PM Subscribe
Possums are living in my attic, in California. I've found their entry, about 12x6 inches, and want to block it, but really don't want to trap any possums inside.
I want to keep them out after they've left to do whatever it is they do at 4am besides party. So the block at their exit needs a one-way action. I'm a reasonable handyman, how do I do this? I do not want to hire a pest remover or other "help". I imagine a trap catches one animal at a time, so don't think that's a good solution.
Would a cat flap be big enough for a possum?
How do I avoid baby possums starving if their mom gets shut out?
I want to keep them out after they've left to do whatever it is they do at 4am besides party. So the block at their exit needs a one-way action. I'm a reasonable handyman, how do I do this? I do not want to hire a pest remover or other "help". I imagine a trap catches one animal at a time, so don't think that's a good solution.
Would a cat flap be big enough for a possum?
How do I avoid baby possums starving if their mom gets shut out?
I briefly looked at the sizes of some cat doors, and they're all somewhat smaller than the opening you described. Opossums aren't huge, but they can be bigger than you'd think. An opossum with babies on her back might be big enough that a 5.5" x 7.5" cat door would be difficult to fit through. It looks like most manufacturers make a "medium" size that's 8.5" x 12", and that sounds a little more forgiving.
posted by teponaztli at 10:59 PM on November 27, 2015
posted by teponaztli at 10:59 PM on November 27, 2015
Best answer: Put a rag in a jar and pour ammonia on it, then place it up in the attic. Works great for raccoons.
posted by humboldt32 at 11:37 PM on November 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by humboldt32 at 11:37 PM on November 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: make or buy a one-way door out of hardware cloth, if you don't favor having a dog kill, dismember and ensanguinate them in the attic?
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:47 AM on November 28, 2015
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:47 AM on November 28, 2015
Mod note: A couple of comments deleted; please don't answer questions with the first, possibly very, very, very bad idea that pops into your head.
posted by taz (staff) at 1:02 AM on November 28, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 1:02 AM on November 28, 2015 [12 favorites]
I think the only way you're going to feel really sure there's no possum in there is to empty the attic - which should cause them to leave anyway. But I understand that is not going to be easy and may be impossible.
posted by Segundus at 1:53 AM on November 28, 2015
posted by Segundus at 1:53 AM on November 28, 2015
One-way door. I'm no expert but I know they can be specially made for rats and squirrels so I'm sure that somewhere a possum sized one way door exists.
posted by Cygnet at 3:22 AM on November 28, 2015
posted by Cygnet at 3:22 AM on November 28, 2015
Are you sure there are no little immobile opossum babies in the attic? I would lean towards making the opossums want to leave, as opposed to trapping them outside (especially if they get locked out from access to their babies).
[obligatory 14 minute opossum audio piece]
posted by blueberry at 7:13 AM on November 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
[obligatory 14 minute opossum audio piece]
posted by blueberry at 7:13 AM on November 28, 2015 [2 favorites]
Can you put a radio tuned to a talk station in your attic? That's the way we drive out skunks and raccoons when they nest in places they shouldn't. Also a light. Then wait a while to make sure they're gone. Then plug the hole.
posted by RedEmma at 8:23 AM on November 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by RedEmma at 8:23 AM on November 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
How masochistic are you? My relatives swear durian fruit husks are perfect for driving away critters in roof spaces...
posted by travellingincognito at 1:55 AM on November 29, 2015
posted by travellingincognito at 1:55 AM on November 29, 2015
Response by poster: We checked out about baby possums with a possum expert:
No worries. First of all, it isn't the right time of the year for there to be young. And even when there are, the mother never leaves them ... they cling to her as she goes out and forages. When they fall off they're fully weaned and are capable of living on their own.
Our possums are no longer making a nuisance of themselves. They'd been waking my daughter and chomping on attic wood. As long as they're not bothering us I'm not bothering them; if they're still there they can stay, but I'll make a one-way door from hardware cloth if needed, and use ammonia to persuade them to go (we can't get into the attic to persuade in person.)
This mefi lets me feel that's best.
posted by anadem at 8:40 PM on December 13, 2015
No worries. First of all, it isn't the right time of the year for there to be young. And even when there are, the mother never leaves them ... they cling to her as she goes out and forages. When they fall off they're fully weaned and are capable of living on their own.
Our possums are no longer making a nuisance of themselves. They'd been waking my daughter and chomping on attic wood. As long as they're not bothering us I'm not bothering them; if they're still there they can stay, but I'll make a one-way door from hardware cloth if needed, and use ammonia to persuade them to go (we can't get into the attic to persuade in person.)
This mefi lets me feel that's best.
posted by anadem at 8:40 PM on December 13, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by emjaybee at 9:41 PM on November 27, 2015