Possums are a common sight in many barns and stables, and while they may seem harmless – even adorable – they can cause significant harm to horses and other barn animals. That's why it's essential to take steps to remove possums from your horse barn and prevent them from returning.
Why Possums Are Harmful to Your Horse
Possums can carry diseases that are harmful to horses, including EPM, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and Lyme disease (yes, despite what you may have heard, possums do, in fact, carry ticks and other parasites, and aren’t the great tick-eating champion you may have been led to believe). These diseases can be transmitted to horses through contaminated feed or water sources, or through bites and scratches from the possums. In severe cases, these diseases can lead to debilitating illness and even death in horses.
In addition to carrying diseases, possums can also cause damage to the barn itself. Well-known to chew on electrical wiring and insulation, posing a fire hazard, possums can also eat the horses’ daily feed, leading to malnutrition and weight loss in the horses.
Steps to Get Rid of Possums from Your Horse Barn
The first step in getting rid of possums from your horse barn is to eliminate their access to food sources that may be attracting them. This includes ensuring that all feed containers are securely sealed and that any spilled feed is cleaned up promptly. You should also consider installing pest-proof feed bins to prevent access.
Next, you should take steps to make the barn less inviting to possums. This includes sealing any cracks or holes in the barn walls, repairing any damaged screens, and making sure that all doors and windows are securely closed. Of course, this is easier said than done when speaking of such a tenacious critter, but vigilance is definitely its own reward. You should also remove any unsecured or easily accessible piles of wood or debris that may be providing shelter for the possums.
If you have a persistent possum problem, you may want to consider using live traps to capture and remove the animals. Make sure to place the traps in areas where possums are known to frequent, such as near food sources or shelter.
You may also want to consider using repellents to deter possums from entering the barn. There are several commercial repellents available that contain natural ingredients like garlic, capsaicin, and mint oil. These repellents are typically safe for horses (always read the label!) and other animals and can be applied to areas around the barn to discourage possums from entering.
Finally, it's essential to maintain good hygiene practices in the barn to prevent the spread of diseases carried by possums. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the barn regularly, and making sure that horses are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
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