Can Possums Climb Fences?

Possums have outstanding natural climbing skills. Not only do the skills allow them to climb trees, but the skills also allow the creatures to scale walls and climb fences.

Climbing Over Home Fences

Possums move around a lot, and they do so to look for food. Homeowners might have an ample supply of food available. Gardens filled with vegetables and trash cans loaded with discarded breakfasts, lunch, and dinner may provide a feast for these nocturnal marsupials.

Possums also look for shelter where they may hide during the day. A missing crawlspace door could prove inviting for those interested in keeping out of sight while the sun shines. The late evening may see them go on the prowl.

Possums won't let a fence or wall get in its way. The creatures will do their best to scale over the structure to reach their target.

Some Concerns about Possums

Possums are generally harmless creatures, although humans should keep their distance. A possum bite might be serious and could transmit rabies.

That said, possums could provide benefits to a home's garden. They could eat insects and slugs known to destroy plants. However, a possum might eat some garden servings for itself, which is why some choose to use wire fence barriers to keep the possums away.

Possums might find their way into a home, too. Pet doors, open windows, and other entryways might prove inviting to them. Again, the creatures are relatively harmless, and pest control services may remove them.

Preventing Possum Intrusions

Trapping and removing possums may deal with ones inside the house, but there are likely so many outside expecting them to "go away" seems unrealistic. There are some deterrent sprays available, and applying them around a garden could help. That said, possums might remain a common presence in the local area forevermore.