Tips on Keeping Possums Away From Your House

Are you struggling to keep possums away from your home? Have they stolen fruits and flowers from your garden? Are they creating a difficult situation by scaring your pets during the night? If you’re looking for some simple solutions on how to keep possums away, then this article is for you.

We'll be laying out all the important information you need to know so that you can find the best solution for yourself on how to keep possums out of your yard. Some of these solutions are very easy to implement, and you'll be able to apply them right away. So, let's get started.

 

Identifying possums

Interestingly, possums eat unwanted animals around houses, such as snails and slugs. These animals are nocturnal and only operate during the night. The most well-known characteristic of the animal is its ability to play dead in front of threats. They can't control when they do so or for how long. This state is a reaction to intense fear and stress that they face when they feel threatened by predators.

They also carry several diseases with them, which make them undesirable for people. Possums usually look for food sources and make a mess out of yards in search of it. As a result, the damage done to your yard can be significant if you don't deal with possums beforehand.

 

How to get rid of possums in your yard

There are several steps you can take today to do away with possums invading your property. In this section, we will show you both short-term and long-term solutions for dealing with the issue.

1. Get rid of the food source

Easy access to extra food is what attracts possums to your house in the first place. If you have garbage cans in your backyard, they should always be covered with a lid. Pet food and bird feeders should not be left outside as well. Also, keep the garden area clean and do away with any fruits or vegetables that might have fallen.

2. Install a fence

Installing a metal fence is one of the best defense tactics to protect your property against possums. The fence should be at least a few feet high and should be a foot beneath the ground as well since possums know how to dig. Bending the top away from your garden is also a great way to make it difficult for possums to climb over the fences.

3. Remove hiding spots

Since possums are lower on the food chain, they rely on hiding to keep themselves safe. So, clear out any extra vegetation around your houses, such as shrubs or bushes. Keep things as clean as possible since it reduces the number of hiding spots that these little creatures can find.

4. Use extra lighting

Since possums are nocturnal, they only come out in search of food during the night. They hate the light. You can use this information to your advantage by using motion sensor lighting. These lights turn on when they detect motion around the yard at night, and the possums will run back where they came from out of fear.

5. Use motion-detection sprinklers

Sprinklers can be used to surprise possums when they invade your house, and can also be useful for your garden. However, they might get used to the water since they have sharp memories. So, you might have to move the sprinklers around to properly deal with the possums in the long run.

6. Setting traps

Setting traps for possums is usually applicable when they've already made their way into your property. You'll have to contact the local game commission so that you can trap the animal and then release it. If you are given permission, make sure it is at least 10 miles away from your home.

7. Bad smells and tastes

Possums have a strong sense of smell and can be used against them. Here are some of the bad smells that you can use to keep them away from your house:

• Garlic
• Camphor
• Mothballs
• Onion
• Fish smell
• Blood and bone beal

While possums are known to eat absolutely anything that they can find, they hate the tastes of the following items:

• Onion
• Garlic
• Hot peppers
• Molasses
• Mustard
• Black tea
• Fish oil

 

How to make natural possum repellent

Now that we have learned what tastes and smells possums hate, we can make our own repellents for possums. There are several different kinds of repellents you can use to keep possums away, and here are the three best ones.

Garlic repellent

What you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 liter of hot water

Instruction: Mix the ingredients in a bowl and let it sit through the night. Strain the mixture and then spray.
How to use: Spray outdoors, especially where possums eat. Apply twice per week or after rains.

Molasses repellent

What you'll need:

• Cup of molasses
• 1 liter of water
• Potassium-based detergent/ dish soap

Instruction: Simply mix the ingredients until the molasses dissolve. You can add the soap to make the solution thicker.
How to use: Spray onto foliage that possums eat.

Quassia chips repellent

What you'll need:

• 1 liter of water
• 50gm quassia chips
• Potassium-based detergent

Instruction: Boil the water and add the quassia chips. Let the mixture steep for an hour. Strain the repellent and add detergent to make it thicker. Dilute with water before using.
How to use: Spray around the garden, and use sparingly on flowers or other plants in your garden.

 

Conclusion

In this article, we've dealt with the various ways in which you can start keeping possums away today. The smells and taste of garlic, onion, and fishes are what will keep possums away from your house. The three kinds of repellents talked about are very easy to make and can be used to protect your house against these animals right away.

However, if you find it difficult to deal with the threat of possums yourself, it is best to call professionals for the most appropriate solution. Contact Bug Guys Pest Control now to get your free estimate!

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How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Pest Control

Are you struggling to cope with pests and are looking for a quick and easy solution to your problem? If so, using diatomaceous earth for termites and other bugs might be the best solution for you.

But, what is diatomaceous earth? Does diatomaceous earth kill bugs? Can you use it on your own to reach an effective solution? We will answer all these questions for you so that you can have a stress-free approach to dealing with termites in your home. This article will help you minimize the damage caused by the pests and get rid of them for a long time. So, let’s get started.

 

What is diatomaceous earth?

Diatomaceous earth or DE is formed from the remains of freshwater phytoplankton or algae that existed in prehistoric times. Over the years, they adapted to their surroundings and formed exoskeletons based on silica. As these creatures died and piled up on top of each other, they were converted into fossils. These fossils changed over time to form the sedimentary rock known as diatomite.

The rock is mined from riverbeds and lakes. It is found in stretches or colonies of water, similar to algae in the modern-day. It was first used as a component for dynamite but found its way into the toothpaste and polish industry upon discovering its abrasive qualities.

 

Types of DE

On the market, you will find diatomaceous earth in two forms. The first is known as pool grade DE, which has been calcinated or exposed to high temperatures. This turns the silica dioxide into crystalline silica. While these processes increase its filtration qualities, pool grade DE is harmful to the human respiratory system.

The other form of DE is food grade. As the name suggests, it is used as a dietary supplement. However, prolonged exposure to food-grade DE can also cause lung damage.

Of the two, food grade is used as a pest control solution since it is easily available and helps deal with various pests.

 

How does diatomaceous earth work?

If you have the chance to observe DE under a microscope, you will see cylindrical objects with barbs covered all over them. These barbs cause wounds in the bodies of the insects that let body fluid out. Being an absorbent, it also absorbs the fluid excreted, which kills the insect by drying it out.

 

What kind of bugs does diatomaceous earth kill?

Once applied in the proper place, diatomaceous earth takes at least a few hours to kill insects. But better results are observed a few days later.

It takes DE a day or two to kill ants and bed bugs. Darkling beetles or silverfish might take 1-3 weeks to completely disappear after application. Insects such as fleas and cockroaches are also susceptible to DE and will be controlled once used around the house.

 

Does diatomaceous earth kill bugs instantly?

No. It takes diatomaceous earth a few hours to start affecting bugs and killing them. The quickest to fall victim are ants, with an average timing of 16 hours being reported. But while it doesn’t affect bugs right away, it is a very effective, accessible, and inexpensive long-term solution for households.

 

How do you apply diatomaceous earth at home?

This section will tell you how to apply diatomaceous earth for ants, termites, fleas, and other bugs that might invade your household.

Before applying DE to kill the insects, you need to do some research. Find out potential gaps where the insects might try to get in and cracks from where water might come.

So, here is a simple 5-step process that shows you how to use diatomaceous earth for ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, ants, and other bugs that might invade your house:

1. Identify the problem and where it is coming from. Find the pests’ location, and familiarize yourself with the kind of insect you’re dealing with. These are usually places where vacuum cleaners and brooms can’t reach.
2. Spread the DE by forming a line in the location where the insects will likely cross. Apply the line behind furniture or appliances and use goggles and a dust mask if you have sensitive eyes and lungs.
3. Monitor the movement of the insects and re-apply the diatomaceous earth if they change their tendencies.
4. Ensure that the diatomaceous earth layer is dry and thick. Diatomaceous earth wet application does not work. It needs to be dry and absorbent to operate effectively.
5. Do not sweep, vacuum, or soak the DE layer once it has been applied for at least the next few days.

 

How to use diatomaceous earth indoors

When using DE indoors, ensure that it is applied in places where cleaning is less frequent. Moreover, ensure that you don’t tamper with the layer once it has been used.

How to use diatomaceous earth outdoors

Using DE outdoors is a little more work since you’ll have to reapply the line regularly since it will get removed again and again. Also, you’ll have to reduce moisture as much as possible before applying DE outdoors. Otherwise, it won’t work properly.

 

Are there any risks in using DE?

Now that we have discussed how to spread diatomaceous earth for ants and other pests is an effective solution for pest control. The main reason diatomaceous earth is so popular is that it is all-natural and not toxic for humans or pets. So, you don’t have to worry about it affecting children or pets in the household.

 

Conclusion

Using diatomaceous earth in termites, ants, and other bugs can be almost completely removed from your household quickly and inexpensively. Since DE is all-natural, you don’t have to worry about your family or pets’ side effects in the house. But remember that the line needs to be dry and thick so that it catches insects in their tracks. In any case, it is best to contact professionals in case of an infestation so that you can deal with the problem with the most reliable service.

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