Air rifle or heavy BB gun for possums in backyard

[SmokeTheClay]

[MJB]

Just go grab them by the tail they are more hiss than bite, then toss him somewhere else. Only drawback if she has young she will be back.

[hermosabeach]

Possums eat a million ticks.
Opossums don’t get lime disease


They are ugly- but they are great for the environment


Don’t leave dog food out and they will stay away

[hermosabeach]

https://www.boredpanda.com/trail-cam-opossum-eating-ticks-deer-vermont-wildlife-coalition/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

[hermosabeach]

Opossums are the unsung heroes who are responsible for silently reducing Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, not only in other animals but also in humans. How do they do that? Well, it turns out their favorite snack is not a leftover meal from your garbage bin. They prefer to eat ticks and it is estimated that they eat 5000 of them per season.

[Half Cocked]

And they tear up your lawn.

[k1dude]

I have no problem eradicating vermin around the home. But possums aren't included as vermin IMHO. They're one of the good guys.

I get hissed at occasionally, but that's it.

[Jeepergeo]

The opossum in my area are more welcome than some of the human vermin in the area.

If you must get rid of them, consider a live trap and move them to a more suitable area.

[SmokeTheClay]

Interesting. A lot of votes to just let them be.

I guess, never had injuries from them. What about rabies?

[therealnickb]

I'd now agree with Jeepergeo.

In my younger days I did kill one my dog cornered and wouldn't leave. I used a 22 pellet gun. Not good. Those f ers are prehistoric and just don't die.

Trap it. Drive it out of town.

[2Stroke]

They don't generally carry rabies. Apparently they have a low body temperature that inhibits rabies.

I used to shoot them, and they are tough to kill cleanly even with a RWS 52 in .22. Now I leave them alone. Racoons, not so much.

[sfvshooter]

I live in L.A., but I've had/have raccoons, possums, skunks, and cats come through my property. Haven't had the urge to shoot any of them. I let them be and they don't linger.

However, my dogs, especially my chihuahua/terrier mix, thinks she has to guard the house from them. She corners one every now and then, but we call her back and the excitement is over.

[Canucky]

I leave them alone. Beneficial little fellers.

[Sutcliffe]

[Rivers]

Raccoons on the other hand.........

Raccoons are nasty. Their droppings can carry diseases that your dogs will get with exposure. Raccoons are vicious fighters and can carry rabies. And in the infinite wisdom of our overlords, they're protected from hunting, at least in our backyards.

Opossums are actually a benefit to us though. They act nasty when confronted but will more often play dead rather than fight. And they do a great job reducing the tick population. That gives them a "pass", just don't leave pet food out. (Coyotes like pet food too...)