Opossum Removal in Hardy, VA
Humane opossum removal for Hardy, Moneta, Westlake, Goodview, Stewartsville & Bedford County
Opossums are a regular nuisance wildlife encounter around Hardy and the Smith Mountain Lake communities in Bedford County. Large raised decks, wooded lots, and the seasonal vacancy common in the lake community give them consistent ground-level den access. They use existing gaps beneath structures — not chewing or tearing in — and their typically nocturnal habits mean they go undetected easily on properties that aren't occupied year-round.
Animal Dispatch handles opossum removal throughout Hardy and Bedford County with humane trapping and exclusion backed by a 3-year guarantee.
Don't throw money at it. Throw Animal Dispatch at it.
No separate inspection fee — it's included in the $225 trap setup. Traps are monitored remotely by camera, so there is no need for you to check them or pay for extra trips. No time limits or fees. Full exclusion work backed by a 3-year guarantee.
Worth knowing: Opossums consume thousands of ticks in a season and help control insect, rodent, and carrion populations. They are ecologically beneficial wildlife neighbors — when they remain outside structures. When they move beneath a deck or into a crawlspace, the musky odor, droppings, and risk of raising young in the structure make removal the right call.
Why Hardy properties attract opossums
Hardy's wooded terrain, large deck structures, and seasonal homes combine to create good opossum habitat. They are attracted to outdoor food sources — pet food, garbage, compost, fallen fruit — and to the ground-level gaps in raised deck perimeters and crawlspace foundations that are common on lake properties. Seasonal vacancy means an opossum can establish a den, potentially raise young, and accumulate months of droppings and musky odor before the property owner returns. The odor on arrival is often the first clear indication something has been denning beneath the structure.
Hardy's wooded terrain, large deck structures, and seasonal homes combine to create good opossum habitat. They are attracted to outdoor food sources — pet food, garbage, compost, fallen fruit — and to the ground-level gaps in raised deck perimeters and crawlspace foundations that are common on lake properties. Seasonal vacancy means an opossum can establish a den, potentially raise young, and accumulate months of droppings and musky odor before the property owner returns. The odor on arrival is often the first clear indication something has been denning beneath the structure.
Signs of Opossums on Your Hardy Property
Musky odor near structureLong-term opossum denning produces a distinctive musky smell beneath decks, porches, or from crawlspace vents. Often the first sign homeowners notice.
Heavy, slow movement soundsDeliberate walking or shuffling beneath floors or decks — heavier than a cat, much slower than squirrels. Typically nocturnal, though nursing mothers may move during daylight hours.
Droppings near den siteMedium-sized droppings resembling small dog feces, tapered at both ends. Scattered rather than concentrated. Found beneath decks, in crawlspaces, or near entry gaps.
Handprint-like tracksFive-toed tracks with a distinctive thumb-like inner toe on the rear feet — visible in mud or soft soil near den entry points.
Disturbed garbage or pet foodOverturned trash, emptied pet bowls, or disturbed compost overnight. Opossums are strong food-motivated foragers and return reliably to accessible food sources.
Direct sighting at nightSlow-moving, pointed face, rounded ears, long prehensile tail — often seen crossing yards, traveling fence lines, or near garbage areas after dark.
Our Opossum Removal Process
1
Trap Setup — $225
Inspection is included — no separate fee. Up to 2 traps and 2 cellular monitoring cameras placed at active entry points and den areas.
2
Camera Monitoring
Traps are monitored remotely by camera, so there is no need for you to check them or pay for extra trips.
3
Return Visits — $60 each
We return for pickup or reset when a catch occurs or traps need attention.
4
Exclusion & Structural Repairs — $600–$3,000+
Sealing access holes around foundations, crawl doors, and vents. Underground trench barriers or wire screening where needed. Backed by a 3-year guarantee on all full exclusion work.
See opossum removal pricing
Full pricing — trap setup, camera monitoring, and exclusion →
Frequently Asked Questions
Opossums have a naturally lower body temperature than most mammals, which makes them poor hosts for the rabies virus — and documented cases are extremely rare. However, contrary to a common myth, they are not completely immune. The more important point for homeowners: a daytime opossum sighting alone is not a reliable indicator of rabies. Nursing mothers, animals disturbed from dens, and opossums foraging under pressure may move during daylight hours. Behavior matters more than timing when assessing concern.
Thanatosis — playing dead — is an involuntary defense mechanism, not a conscious choice. When severely threatened, an opossum may enter a catatonic state: limp, mouth open, tongue hanging out, sometimes releasing a foul-smelling fluid. This can last minutes to hours. It is not a sign of illness. An opossum that appears dead near your deck may simply be in this state and will recover on its own.
Possibly — opossums are transient animals and do not hold strong territorial boundaries. An opossum passing through may move on within a few days. However, one that has found a reliable food source near a sheltered gap will return regularly and may raise young beneath the structure in spring. If you're noticing consistent nightly activity, musky odor, or droppings accumulating, waiting is likely to make the situation worse.
Opossums are non-aggressive and strongly prefer retreat over confrontation. They may hiss or bare their teeth when cornered, but this is bluffing. Direct conflict with pets is uncommon. The more relevant concern is that opossums are attracted to the same food sources as pets — outdoor bowls left overnight are a primary attractant. Removing the food source is the single most effective opossum deterrent.
Prevention Tips for Hardy Homeowners
- Remove pet food overnight — outdoor bowls left after dark are the single most reliable opossum attractant
- Secure garbage with locking lids
- Install an exclusion barrier around raised decks and shed foundations — hardware cloth buried at least 12 inches down and angled outward
- Clear brush piles, woodpiles, and dense vegetation near structures that provide cover
- Repair broken crawlspace vents and foundation edge gaps promptly
- Pick up fallen fruit from trees near the house
Opossum problem in Hardy?
Musky odor or droppings beneath a structure are the right time to call. No separate inspection fee — we get traps in place and the cameras handle the monitoring.
Schedule Trap Setup — $225 Contact Us