How Should You Kill An Opossum?

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Homeowners often arrive at the decision to kill off their opossum pests because of the non-stop damage to property as well as the constant disturbance of their peace, not to mention their big and stinky droppings! Before you go ahead to kill an opossum however, you should find out if the local laws permit you to do so. And while you’re at it, also find out the approved methods for killing and for disposing of the carcass.



Aside from the fact that opossums proffer the benefit of helping to eradicate other pests (mice, insects, frogs, roaches, snakes, etc.) from your yard, these animals are actually have their particular roles to play in balancing the ecological system where they live. Therefore, unless you have a good reason to, you may go for any of several alternative ways to get rid of opossums in your yard. Suitable options include live trapping and relocation of the animal.

There are several ways to kill an opossum, including the use of gun, traps, poison, or even clubbing. Whatever method you decide is suitable, be sure to wear protective gloves while carrying out the act. These animals carry transferable disease parasites and vectors.

Firearm – the challenge with this option is that opossums are nocturnal and do most of their foraging by night. Take a torch with you if the area is not illuminated, but be careful not to startle the animal into running away. You must get a good aim so as not to only succeed in maiming the animal; shoot with any caliber rifle.

Poison – though a common option, poisons rarely work for possums and there is none that is legally approved for use. Some of the poisons commonly used are rat poison, antifreeze, and strychnine. Poisoning is an inhumane and mostly ineffective way to kill any pest as they suffer a lot and may not even die in the end. When they do die, they are likely to do it under a crawl space from where the horrible smell of the carcass permeates the whole area. It’s a no win!

Clubbing – if you can somehow manage to sneak up to a possum, deal it a hard blow to the head with a club. Be careful though not to get bitten or clawed, and avoid all direct contact with the animal.

Lethal traps – nowadays, these are almost only used by old time fur trappers. They are both difficult and dangerous to use for the non-professional. A notable example is the double spring-loaded connibear trap. It snaps down on the animal when sprung, and kills it via choking or squeezing. The use of lethal traps is inhumane and mostly impractical because they pose a danger to neighborhood dogs and cats. Dealing with the carcass is also not a pleasant affair. Lethal traps are banned in some states.

Trap and kill – There are several types of opossum traps, varying in size and style. They are mostly large steel cages, at least 32x10x12 in dimension and can be bought in stores. Bait the trap with fish, apples, or canned pet food. Foods with strong smells generally work fine as baits. Leave the trap in a spot that is frequented by the possum to capture it alive. Once the possum is in your trap, you can go on to kill it:

- With a gun at close range
- With a club
- By euthanization. Use a CO2 chamber or inject it
- By leaving it in the trap for an extended time to die, but this is not humane.
- Bloodlessly by laying it on the ground and placing a stick across its neck. Stand on the stick with a leg on either side of the possum, then take hold of its tail and pull it up sharply. You will hear the sound of its neck breaking. This is quick, easy, and relatively painless for the animal.

There is a better way to get rid of a trapped possum. Some folks kill possum for its fur or for food. If you do not have use for the dead possum as such, then it is plain inhumane for you to kill it. Once you have trapped the nuisance animal, you may travel several miles away from your home and release the possum, preferably in the woods. That way, it doesn’t bother you again.

Be sure to animal-proof your house after this so as not to keep recycling a possum problem. Inspect your property and block all possible entry points.

Go back to the Opossum Removal page.

Humane Ways to Kill an Opossum

After successfully caging an opossum, what to do to it is the next decision to be made. Do you want to set it free elsewhere? Do you want to kill it? A quick decision must be made by the trapper as it is unlawful to cage an opossum for more than 24 hours.



If you wish to kill it, the killing must be done in a humane way. This means that the condemned animal will feel little or no pain before it gives up the ghost. It is inhumane to subject animals to prolonged suffering, no matter what they did to your property. They are living things too and they were only looking to survive.

• Shooting is a humane way to kill a critter if it is done properly. It is however, more suited to rural areas as it tends to be a risky activity in urban centers. Since the animal is already restricted in a cage, it is easy to shoot it at close range and you should target its head. If shot in the head, it will feel next to no pain as death comes instantly.
• Clubbing - You can also kill an opossum by bludgeoning it with a club, a shovel or other garden tools. A powerful blow to its head translates to an instant and peaceful death for the animal. Grab the opossum and lay it on the ground while holding it by the tail. Place the shovel across its neck and hold it down with your foot. Then suddenly pull it by the tail with great force, breaking its neck. This whole activity will take just about a minute to be completed. If you cannot handle it by yourself, you should get another person to help you.
• Euthanization – this is usually done in the county’s animal department and you may take the trapped opossum over there for killing. The critter is shut into a CO2 chamber or injected with it. Death comes quickly with this method as well.

Precautions should be taken to protect yourself against parasites and disease pathogens while handling critters. Even the dead bodies and biological waste are infectious and should be disposed with utmost caution.

Disposing of the dead opossum should be undertaken immediately after the killing to prevent spread of diseases and foul odors from the carcass.

Go back to the Opossum Removal page.

How Can You Kill an Opossum In The Yard?

Homeowners most often arrive at the decision to kill off their opossum pests because of the continuous damage to property as well as the constant disturbance of their peace, not to mention the big and stinky droppings they leave everywhere! And there are several ways to kill an opossum, including the use of shotguns, lethal traps, poison, or even clubbing.



Killing is not always the best way to deal with an opossum situation. There are other ways like live trapping and relocation, or simply excluding them from your property.

Firearms – this can be rather difficult because opossums are nocturnal and do most of their foraging by night. Take a torch with you if your yard is not illuminated, but be careful not to startle the animal into running away. Ensure that you get a good aim so as not to only succeed in maiming the animal; shoot with any caliber rifle.

Lethal traps – nowadays, these are almost only used by old time fur trappers. They are both difficult and dangerous to use for the non-professional. Lethal traps snap down on the animal when sprung, and kill it via choking or squeezing. The use of lethal traps is inhumane and mostly impractical because they pose a danger to neighborhood dogs and cats. Dealing with the carcass is also not a pleasant affair. Lethal traps are banned in some states.

Poison – Some of the poisons commonly used for opossums are rat poison, antifreeze, and strychnine. Poisoning is an inhumane and mostly ineffective way to kill any pest as they suffer a lot and may not even die in the end. When they do die, they are likely to do it under a crawl space from where the horrible smell of the carcass permeates the whole area. It’s a no win!

Clubbing – if you can somehow manage to sneak up to a possum, deal it a hard blow to the head with a club. Be careful though not to get bitten or clawed, and avoid all direct contact with the animal.

Trap and kill – get a large steel cage, at least 32x10x12 in dimension from the store. Bait the trap with fish, apples, or canned pet food. Foods with strong smells generally work fine as baits. Leave the trap along the path of the possum to capture it alive. Once the possum is in your trap, you can go on to kill it with a shotgun at close range. Or with a club.

Never kill baby opossums if you come across them in your yard. Rather request for the assistance of a wildlife controller to take them away.

Go back to the Opossum Removal page.