Will A Possum Keep A Nest Of Babies Under A Shed Or Porch?

Do Opossums Keep Baby Nests Under Sheds or Porches?

During the mating season, opossums can have a litter of babies. They take them everywhere and make sure to build full nests for them. It is the job of the mother to protect them and make sure they have everything they need.

One part of that job is finding an appropriate nest. The nest must give the babies protection from the elements and from predators, while allowing the mother easy access to them at all times.

To you, under the shed or porch would be a terrible place. Dark, cramped, and nowhere to hide or go. To them, it is perfect.

Underneath sheds and porches, opossums have darkness and protection, and they have easy access to the food they need. It is their preferred location.



Nesting Time

During spring and summer, opossums, like many other animals, are going to have new offspring. Young babies that depend on them for everything and that need a place to stay.

Finding a good nest is vital to their survival. Without such a nest, the babies are at the mercy of the environment and predators around them.

In human environments, where we see opossums most often, the popular nests are all from human structures in some way. This includes sheds and porches.

Opossums will find refuge under your shed or porch when they have babies. They want a place that offers them all of the protection they need. It is their best bet to keep their young alive and to keep themselves alive.

What to Do

When the opossum and her babies are there, you are going to have some troubles. You will have a wild animal moving around your property, being a source of health hazards and potential property damage. It is a risk to you and anyone else there.

Removing them can go one of two ways. You can either wait for the young to age out and see if they all move along, or you can remove them all right away.

If you choose to remove the opossum and her young, trapping works best. Trapping is easy to manage and effective, being the most popular tool amongst professionals. It will work for all opossums, including the young. You may not have to trap the young, either, as they will likely follow the mom and stick with her.

You do have to worry about opossum nests under your shed or porch if there is a way inside. They will go anywhere that offers them safety.


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