Female opossums seek out a safe place to have their young by instinct so an opossum in an attic is usually a female with young.
Opossum attic usa.
The opossum ə ˈ p ɒ s əm or p ɒ s əm is a marsupial of the order didelphimorphia d aɪ ˌ d ɛ l f ɪ ˈ m ɔːr f i ə endemic to the americas the largest order of marsupials in the western hemisphere it comprises 103 or more species in 19 genera opossums originated in south america and entered north america in the great american interchange following the connection of.
An attic floor with an opossum resident can quickly be covered with feces and debris resulting in a putrid stench and damage to underlying flooring.
Like some other wildlife opossums like the attic because of warmth.
Because of their size waste piles and puddles are often sizable and messy.
Because they are the size of a cat they piles are large as well.
It is common to see female opossums with young nest in attics between may and june and again in december january.
Opossums are great climbers with their opposable thumbs and they like to live in a warm dry safe attic as much as the next critter.
Therefore if an opossum is in your attic it is most likely a female with its young.
Possums are great climbers and they will live in any shelter they can find including the attics of homes or underneath elevated houses sheds porches etc.
Opossums are also drawn to pet food and this love of domestic fare can create fighting with the household pets.
Opossums are generally wandering feeders though they can initiate conflict with humans when the animal moves in to an attic or under a porch.
Opossums are very dirty dropping waste constantly and leaving food debris wherever they go.
It provides shelter and even food in some cases.
There they will call out with a kind of chirping call and if not removed will die and cause an odor problem.
Opossums are untidy eliminating waste wherever they travel.
An exception to this rule is during harsh winters when 3 6 adult opossums will come together in groups to stay warm.
An opossum in the home can be very unsanitary.
They will scavenge what they can and often eat human garbage pet food etc.
They chew away at insulation and can create fire hazards by gnawing through electrical wires.
This makes it easy to catch them all at once since the young will cling to their mother 24 7.
An attic that becomes home to an opossum is quickly wet with urine covered with feces and debris and the smell is horrid.
Opossums in attic spaces also keep residents awake by creating loud scratching sounds at night.