Making Your Yard A Safe Haven For Opossums And Other Wildlife

Renee Dowhaniuk, Class of 2023

Plant bushes, trees, and vines next to your fence to allow the opossum to climb down into your yard for a visit. Once your trees mature, allow some branches with leaves to hang down upon the fence, which will become the opossum’s highway along its nightly route, visiting different yards.

Provide an opossum feeding station, which can be as simple as a couple of bowls on the ground. Omnivorous opossums appreciate meaty treats such as cat kibble and fruits and vegetables. Don’t put out human food, especially junk food.

We all strive to do this as Master Naturalists: Use native plants in flower beds, gardens, and yards. Native plants can provide shelter and food, and attract more than just pollinators!
Put out a bowl of fresh, clean water. Change it regularly and ensure you place a little stick or rock in it so small creatures can crawl out if they fall in.

If you have dogs, be sure to go outside first, make a loud noise, and give it a few minutes before you allow your dogs out. This will enable Opossums and other wildlife to escape.

Never use Rodenticide. If your yard is hospitable to wildlife, nature will ensure that the food chain order will take care of the pests!

This is a photograph of my current rehab guest. Zuri suffers from head trauma after being hit by a car. She is enjoying the bluebonnets as part of her outdoor enrichment time. (Subpermittee under licensed rehabilitator with NTWC).