Opossum Relocation Program
May 5, 2009
A funny but effective way of getting rid of these pests.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Pacifist is a pretty good word for me. Killing animals, or “exterminating” as the parlance may be, just doesn’t fit in my makeup. Even when there are some good reasons for the extermination. I’d much rather find other ways of dealing with the nuisance. And as fate would have it, I married a man with the same aversion, so we have to get pretty creative sometimes.
Case in point: opossums. They are NOT welcome around here, nasty germ-ridden creatures that they are. One of my mares had been afflicted with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) before I got her, and I’m well aware that it’s a very bad thing. (Thankfully, her previous owner treated her promptly with Bayer Animal Health’s Marquis, and she recovered nicely.) Opossums carry the parasite that causes EPM, and I don’t want them mixing with my horses or even getting near the horses’ pasture.
We have a cadre of barn cats – responsible for mouse patrol – and I give them a light feeding at night, so that there’s not any kibble left over to attract opossums, skunks, etc. But still, word must’ve spread along the opossum grapevine: Free cat food here! And Whistler, my beloved Weimaraner, well, he’s a lover, not a fighter. The big goober makes friends with any creature who comes along. (And no, he’s not a good watch dog, either. If he could talk, he’d probably volunteer to tell any potential burglars where we hide the spare key.)
So, every once in a while, we find one of the hideous, wire-haired, fang-toothed marsupials in the backyard. I ain’t shooting it; Chad ain’t shooting it; but we’ve got to get rid of it. And here’s where God steps in to help out. Just like he equipped giraffes with long necks to feed on trees, or kangaroos with handy little pouches to carry their joeys … he also gave opossums a feature that allows for easy disposal.
As Whistler walks up to introduce himself, the opossums always reciprocate by hissing (which must hurt the poor puppy’s feelings) and falling over dead, teeth still bared.
And here’s where you wish you were a fly on the wall, because this is pretty funny to watch. I kick into action by going into the feed room and securing an empty feed sack. (Shout out to AQHA Corporate Partner Nutrena; their Safe Choice feed comes in tough plastic bags – perfect for what we have intended!) Chad, brave soul that he is, grabs the opossum’s disgustingly hairless rat tail and stuffs it inside. When they’re “playing possum,” they never move a hair. Then Chad clamors into his car, rolls down the window and drives away with his arm extended out the window, holding the weighted-down feed bag.
He’s always gone quite a long time – probably until his arm starts getting tired – so the opossums are “relocated” a good distance away. It always cracks me up to think what would happen if he met a neighbor on the road and had to explain himself. Thank goodness we don’t have many neighbors!
And maybe one of these days, we’ll get the right message out on the opossum grapevine … “Don’t go there, man … those people are weird!” I’d sure like to have fewer marsupial neighbors!
Happy riding!
Holly Clanahan
Editor, America’s Horse magazine
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26 Comments on “Opossum Relocation Program”
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May 5th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Too !@#$Q@$# funny!
May 5th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
When don’t want opossums in my horse pasture either so when I catch one in my live trap, I drive it about 3 miles away to a local State Park and release it.
As far as the ‘out the window’ transport, I have done that several times with snakes that stalk my aviary. I catch them with my super-duper, channel-lock plyers, hang them out my car window, and drive them to the same State Park. Hopefully all build new lives there.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Any idea on skunks??
Love the opossum idea…Very creative!
May 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Send this to Roy and maybe he’ll send you a few free coupons!! An unexpected benefit from Carill.
May 6th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Hey Six Oak! Shout out to mare’s previous owner! You’re the hero here … Sola is fat, sassy and loving the green grass all this rain has brought!
May 7th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Funny story and Thanks for sharing BUT on a serious note the capture and release method just makes this someone elses issue and health concern. The only good possum is a _ _ _ _ possum.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:53 am
- I can’t believe this but I too have done the same thing, hanging a ‘possum out the window while driving. They get pretty heavy after a few miles. My husband thinks I’m crazy and he tells everyone about it. Keep skunks out of your barn too, they have started killing our cats. I didn’t think they would do that but they will and do.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I didn’t realize Skunks would kill a cat….I have had coons kill several. I think there is commercial applications of skunk repellent in stores, but I don’t know if it works. If you keep the feed up, the skunks will usually go away after mating season, mine just wanders alot (IN THE BARN) in the spring. Other than that – pray they wander across the road at the wrong time! And make sure to vaccinate for rabies – skunks, possums, and coons can all carry and infect horses.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
A mother skunk and her four “kids” called our hay barn home for about a month last summer. Found out that white bread and milk make for an unpleasant skunk tummy ache and they relocate themselves . . . to Heaven? Before I found this remedy I tried fox urine, which was expensive but didn’t work. Still wonder how they got the foxes to ….. oh well.
May 8th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Try putting a streak of white, or yellow, spray paint on their backs before you turn them loose. You might be surprised to see your “relocated” friend in the barn again.
Darn, bet you have a sneaky coon killing the cats and laying the blame on the skunks. We’ve had skunks and coons share the feed pan with our cats with never a problem, but coons are opportunistic and will often snack on kittens and young cats.
May 8th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Oops, That was supposed to be “Karen”, not Darn. Sorry.
May 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I am not opposed to hunting but would personally rather do it with a camera and concerning wildlife, have a live and let live philosophy. However, I have no aversion to killing an oppossum or skunk; then it becomes a live or die situation. I have treated a valuable stallion for EPM; not worth saving the varmits, and don’t want one wandering back or infecting our neighbors horses with EPM or rabies. There is no shortage of either in the wild population. I consider the dispense of a rifle shell on one, a necessary evil as opposed to losing a valuable horse.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Too many hazards in the approach reported in this article to even consider it, much less consider it funny. Think a rabid oppossum would react the same way? I don’t want to risk my dog making “friends” with a wild animal. And what if you are just a might slow and the oppossum comes around right as you are grabbing the tail? All it takes is the saliva–they don’t need to bite you. Get over your “won’t shoot” attitude or get a live trap system.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
5-15-2009
I agree with Baru on what to do with opposums and other varmits that wander out of where they should be. In our area we have plenty of hedge rows and small woods for wild animals. They do not need to move into the barn.
We had a skunk who sheltered under our palleted hay the winter before last. Rather a shock to encounter when we turned on the barn lights. We always keep cat food to the minimun (just enough for everyone to consume in one feeding)on a metal table to discourage climbing. The cats easily jump to the top of the table. Horse feed is stored in old freezers or garbage cans with lids. Our ‘pigs’ leave scant crumbs of pelleted food.
However, the best solution was to spread commercial moth balls around the inside base of the barn, especially in the hay storage area. Did not see a single skunk, even though in the spring after the skunk winter a mama with about 4 to 6 kits wandered across the road up aways from the barn. Just for hay is stored this summer, we will put out new mothball and check to see that unautorized holes in the foundations are sealed. The cats are not always happy with this.
I agree with Baru on what to do with opposums and other varmits that wander out of where they should be. In our area we have plenty of hedge rows and small woods for wild animals. They do not need to move into the barn.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
5-15-2009
I agree with Baru on what to do with opposums and other varmits that wander out of where they should be. In our area we have plenty of hedge rows and small woods for wild animals. They do not need to move into the barn.
We had a skunk who sheltered under our palleted hay the winter before last. Rather a shock to encounter when we turned on the barn lights. We always keep cat food to the minimun (just enough for everyone to consume in one feeding)on a metal table to discourage climbing. The cats easily jump to the top of the table. Horse feed is stored in old freezers or garbage cans with lids. Our ‘pigs’ leave scant crumbs of pelleted food.
However, the best solution was to spread commercial moth balls around the inside base of the barn, especially in the hay storage area. Did not see a single skunk, even though in the spring after the skunk winter a mama with about 4 to 6 kits wandered across the road up aways from the barn. Just for hay is stored this summer, we will put out new mothball and check to see that unautorized holes in the foundations are sealed. The cats are not always happy with this.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
When it comes to relocating certain wild animals keep in mind that if it can carry rabies, you are now spreading that fatal disease when you move an animal to a new location. You might also find out that it is illegal to relocate them for that reason.
May 17th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Hi all!
Wow, I’m glad this has sparked a lively debate! Just wanted to throw out a bit more info. When we moved to this place and began dealing with opossums, I did some googling on them and learned this:
“Opossums do not harbor diseases normally found in dogs and cats, such as distemper, parvovirus, or feline hepatitis. All warm-blooded mammals can contract rabies, but opossums are rarely found to be rabid. Scientists believe that a body temperature too low to support the rabies virus is the reason. According to Dr. Susan Jenkins, Assistant State Epidemiologist, Office of Epidemiology, Virginia Department of Health, six rabid opossum cases were reported between 1989 and 1998.”
Raccoons and skunks, however, are very common carriers of rabies. My horses are all vaccinated against the disease.
p.s. Our “relocation destination” is a large area of pastureland (for cattle). There are no horses around for miles.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
easy live trap for opossums, rats, mice, raccoons, obtain a 50 gallon metal drum….in my case feed barrel. clean it out, place your bait, grain, peanut butter, whatever at the bottom, then put what ever board you have laying around the barn up against the barrel to make a little ramp. Critter walks up the board, tips in for the food, and is stuck there until you get it out. If you use an actual live trap cage device and catch a skunk, throw and old blanket over the cage, completely covering the cage, the skunks usually do not spray. just in case, the lovely smell comes of with acidic based liquids…white vinegar is usually the one i have handy around the house. hope this helps someone. RE
October 24th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
My horse has just recently been kicking in his stall everynight. We think there is a opussom living in the foundation that my dog barks at everytime she goes out. Do you think that’s what the horse could be kicking at??
March 25th, 2010 at 8:31 am
[...] called Chad, asking him to come bearing arms. As I’ve talked about here before, we hate killing anything, but a potentially rabid animal? That’s an automatic trip to racoon heaven. I shut [...]
August 16th, 2010 at 7:52 am
[...] horse owners purchase feed by the bag and transfer the contents into a container kept in a feed room or designated area of the barn or [...]
December 12th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Holly,
It’s nice to see you finally did your research AFTER the fact, but better late than never I suppose; however, I find it very sad how many so called horse lovers are so quick to not only promote speciesism, but even go the the extent to out and out LIE about the types of diseases other animals spread and to promote or justify cruelty and death toward other animals THEY don’t happen to be fond of for whatever ridiculous reason they have. The biggest threats to horses: humans.
We destroy their habitat, enslave them, use them to entertain us, and when we’re through with them, we ship them off to another country where they can be slaughtered and eaten (by humans or other animals). It’s all about OUR gratification and nothing involving the welfare of the horse.
After reading the thread, I wonder if there are any REAL horse lovers out there. If so, the horses NEED you, and what they need is for you EDUCATE yourself with the FACTS and work together with other animal advocates to find humane and diplomatic solutions to problems that horses are confronted with.
Next time you see an opossum, instead of grabbing your gun or shovel, why not grab your laptop or phone and contact a good Wildlife Rehab/Rescue Group(as in actually cares about the animals and doesn’t see any of them as “pests” like your local animal control might) or an Opossum Rescue Group? Just bear in mind, most of these people are volunteers with other full time jobs and demands, so bear with them. Ditto with a racoon, skunk, etc.. there’s an advocate group for practically everyone. Treat them with kindness, and odds are, they will reciprocate and maybe even call on you for advice about horses and how to help a horse.
Just about any animal can be relocated: all you’ll need to do is setup a large humane trap, put some dry dog food in it (or any left over veggies from your dinner) check it every day, and when you catch the critter, release it in a decent and appropriate habitat (in the case of opossums: away from horses).
While Holly never intended harm and ultimately came clean with her lack of knowledge, I still have to address her comment about opossums being hideous and reminder her that beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder. How would you feel if someone described a foal that way? I’m not a horse person. I don’t think they’re cute, and I don’t think they’re cuddly, but for the life of me I can’t imagine ever referring to one (or any other animal for that matter) as hideous. That’s messed up and makes no sense in any way.
When faced with the option where everyone can win, why do so many choose the other options? What do people really hope to gain by perpetuating hate and violence against innocent animals? If you love horses, then advocate for them and treat other animals and their advocates with the same respect you’d hope to be reciprocated. If someone’s a jerk, move on and find another person who might help, but try to work together and don’t hold the innocent animals accountable for the cruel and stupid things humans say and do.
December 12th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I agree with Dawn above. I am always curious what makes someone care about one creature over another.
Good greif if you don’t like animals, if you are willing to kill another one of Gods creatures then maybe you should not have a horse!
All animals need to be respected and treated correctly, if you can’t how can you raise or love a horse (or any other animal for that matter).
shame shame!!!!!!!!!!
lilyput
December 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
P.S.
Opossums rarely carry rabies…. it would be more likely your dog would be a carrier, or maybe even you!!!!!!!.
December 12th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
The opossum isn’t the only carrier of S. Neurona. You might want to look up house cat on the Ohio State University Website that covers the EPM Life Cycle:
http://vet.osu.edu/preventive-medicine/etiologylife-cycle
Hopefully this won’t cause the same opossum haters to send a lynch mob out to kill all the house cats too…
December 29th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
One of my horseshoeing clients had a skunk around her barn. She Called animal control and a deputy brought out a live trap. The skunk was promptly trapped and animal control called. When the deputy arrived he went to his truck to get a rifle. My client asked him if they couldn’t just relocate the cute little skunk. His reply, “Sure. We can use your car!” Not long after that one of her horses got sprayed in the face and she was gunning for it with a 22. Not quite so funny: We once rented a house from an elderly woman who had a local newspaper column on wildlife and she was also an artist. There was a skunk hanging around the property and she was sketching it when it attacked and bit her. It also went after her husband who walked with a cane. He killed the skunk with the cane. It was rabid. I respect coyotes, snakes and all kinds of wildlife and do not molest them in their environment. I expect the same from them in my environment. When a rattle snake is outside my back door (which two have been) he is a trespasser and I do not hesitate in dispatching it. Coyotes kill your chickens, livestock and pets. When their yipping gets too close I fire off a round to scare them away and have never had a problem. Two weeks ago my neighbor killed a coyote right outside her bedroom window that was after a chicken. People need to be responsible too. Chickens roaming free are a predator magnet. A friend had a family of skunks under his house and one or more sprayed. The odor permeated their house and is still noticeable months later. Too bad it didn’t happen to an irrational, bleeding heart animal lover.