Opossum in your garage or basement: what to do right now
Opossums look scary, but they are shy and not aggressive. Most hiss or show their teeth only to bluff. Your best move is to keep people and pets away, give it an open path out, and let it leave at night.
Do this now
- 1Move kids and pets inside and keep them away from the garage or basement.
- 2Close the door between that space and the house.
- 3Leave the garage door, or a basement door to the outside, open after dark.
- 4Turn off the lights and keep the area quiet.
- 5Remove pet food, bird seed and garbage, or put it in sealed bins.
- 6Check in the morning for signs that it left, then close the door.
Don't
- Don't pick up or touch an opossum, even one that looks dead.
- Don't corner it or poke at it with a broom.
- Don't leave food out to lure it somewhere else.
- Don't trap and move it without checking Michigan DNR rules first.
Get help immediately if
- Someone was bitten or scratched: wash with soap and water and call a doctor.
- Your pet fought with the opossum: call your veterinarian the same day.
- The opossum is in a wall or ceiling, or will not leave after a night with the door open: get professional help.
Why opossums are rarely a threat
Opossums are mostly active at night and wander from place to place looking for food. A garage with pet food, trash or bird seed is an easy stop. When frightened, an opossum may hiss, drool or show its many teeth. That is a bluff. If that does not work, it may fall over and play dead, which is an involuntary reaction to fear, not a trick it chooses.
Opossums are much less likely than many other mammals to carry rabies, and cases are rare. Still, never handle any wild animal. Opossums can bite if grabbed, and they can carry fleas, ticks and other germs. Give it room and it will almost always leave on its own.
When to bring in a pro
If the opossum keeps coming back, is denning under the house or porch, or has young with it, a licensed wildlife control pro can remove it and seal the entry points. Young opossums ride on the mother's back or stay close by, so a pro will check for them.
Michigan wildlife rules vary by species. Licensed nuisance wildlife control operators work under Michigan DNR rules, and relocation is restricted. Check with the DNR before trapping or moving an opossum yourself. For other animals in the same spaces, see our page on an animal in the garage or basement.
What it costs
$200 to $500per removal
Price depends on where the opossum is, whether young are present, and how much sealing is needed. After-hours or same-day visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.
Common questions
Is an opossum dangerous?
Rarely. Opossums are not aggressive and would rather hiss, bluff or play dead than fight. They can bite if cornered or handled, so keep your distance and keep pets away.
Do opossums carry rabies?
Rarely. Opossums are much less likely to carry rabies than many other mammals, but any wild mammal can. If someone is bitten or scratched, wash the wound and call a doctor.
The opossum looks dead. What should I do?
Leave it alone. An opossum playing dead can stay still for minutes to hours, then get up and walk away. Keep people and pets back, and check again later.
Other emergencies
- Raccoon in the house
- Noises in the attic or walls
- Bat in the house
- Squirrel in the attic
- Mouse or rat in the living area
- Bird in the house or a vent
- Animal in the chimney
- Animal in the garage or basement
- Skunk under the deck
- Groundhog under the deck or shed
- Snake in the house
- Wasp nest near the door
- Bees swarming or in a wall
- Dead animal smell