Often seen as scavengers, opossums are actually omnivores with a surprisingly varied and beneficial diet. Understanding what they eat can help you understand why they might be visiting your property.
The Natural Diet of an Opossum
In the wild, opossums are opportunistic eaters. Their diet changes with the seasons and what's available.
Proteins
Opossums are excellent pest controllers. A significant portion of their diet includes:
- Insects: Beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets.
- Snails and Slugs: They are one of the few animals that will readily eat garden slugs.
- Small Rodents: Such as mice and voles.
- Carrion: They clean up the ecosystem by eating dead animals.
- Ticks: Studies have shown a single opossum can eat thousands of ticks in a season, helping to reduce the spread of Lyme disease.
Fruits and Vegetables
They also have a sweet tooth and enjoy a variety of plant matter:
- Berries and Fruits: Especially persimmons, apples, and berries that have fallen to the ground.
- Grains and Nuts: Acorns and other nuts are also part of their diet.
- Garden Vegetables: They won't hesitate to sample ripe tomatoes or other vegetables in your garden.
What Attracts Opossums to Your Yard?
If you have an opossum visiting, it's likely because they've found an easy meal.
- Pet Food: Leftover cat or dog food is a major attractant.
- ** unsecured Garbage Cans:** Easy-to-access trash is a buffet for an opossum.
- Bird Seed: Fallen seed from bird feeders provides a reliable food source.
Understanding their diet is the first step to managing their presence on your property. By removing these attractants, you can encourage them to move on naturally.