No one likes to have pests running amuck in their yards, but having possums is especially unnerving. Not only do they look unsettling with their beady eyes and rat-like tales, but they can also pose a risk to your backyard. Not only will they leave behind their bathroom waste, but they can also start fights with your pets if you let them outside without supervision. While they aren’t inherently aggressive creatures, they will defend themselves if they feel threatened. If you would rather not risk your dog, kid, or own limbs every time you step outside, then you might be looking for hacks on how to remove possums from your yard. Luckily, one of the best ways to do so uses a spice you might already have in your kitchen: cayenne pepper.
Its potent smell is usually too much for the possum to endure, and it will have it scampering out of your yard to find relief. Much like how you wouldn’t want to sit and relax in an odorous room, a possum won’t want to stay in a pungent yard. The area will become hostile to them, convincing them to head elsewhere. Here is how to incorporate the common spice into your pest control routine.
How to use cayenne pepper to deter possums
There are a lot of hacks on humane ways to get critters out of your yard, and many of them focus on detering these marsupials with either taste or smell. While some are a hit or miss, both extermination companies and wildlife government agencies recommend utilizing a spicy ingredient to get possums out of your yard. If you have some in your pantry, you can easily create a DIY spray at home. To do so, all you will need is a spray bottle, water, and the spice. Fill your bottle with warm water, and then add a heavy dose of cayenne pepper into the mix. Shake it thoroughly to allow it to combine, and then spray it in areas you see the possum most frequently.
This can be near your garbage cans, underneath your deck, or around your shed. The capsaicin in the cayenne is what will irritate the pest’s nose, eyes, and mouth, which is the compound that creates the heat-like effect in the seasoning. For reference, it’s about 12 times hotter than a jalapeno. This will irritate the animal, and may convince it to leave your yard for good. However, keep in mind that you will need to reapply this spray multiple times a week to keep it potent. You will also need to reapply it everytime it rains, as the water will flush it from the area.
Caveats to keep in mind
While this hack is an all-natural way to help you with your pest problem, some people warn against it due to worries over animal cruelty. It can be irritating to the nose and eyes, and it can even create lung tissue irritation when inhaled. In extreme cases, it can even cause temporary blindness. Because of this, it wouldn’t be considered an animal-safe hack. If you prefer to remove pests without potentially hurting them, this might not be the best option for you.
This hack is also best used to deter possums — if you have an infestation or have had a possum issue for months, it might not be effective enough to remove the critters entirely. When the animals are established in your yard, the irritating spice might only remove them temporarily until they move to another part of your yard far away from the smell. At that point, it is best to call in a professional wildlife expert to remove them for you.
