Strong musky odor from under the deck or crawl space
Opossum musk gland secretions and droppings. Opossums are often first detected by smell.
North America's Only Marsupial — Common Under Lowcountry Decks
Opossum Removal in Mount Pleasant, SC
Year-round; young typically dispersing by late summer
In one paragraph
The Virginia opossum is North America's only native marsupial and is common throughout the Lowcountry. They are nomadic scavengers that den temporarily in crawl spaces, under decks, in debris piles, and in hollow trees. Their presence is usually noticed by smell rather than noise. Opossums are not aggressive and cannot transmit rabies (their body temperature is too low for the virus to survive).
Telling it apart
How to tell
Most people call after noticing one of these.
Grease marks and droppings at the crawl space access point
Evidence of regular entry and exit. Droppings are smooth-ended cylinders, about 0.75 inch, similar in appearance to cat scat.
Overturned garbage or pet food disturbed at night
Opossums are opportunistic scavengers. Unsecured food sources attract them to the property.
Why here, and why now
The Lowcountry climate, abundant food sources, and the prevalence of low decks and crawl space foundations make Mount Pleasant an excellent opossum habitat. Opossums thrive in suburban settings near wooded areas and waterways.
Opossums are beneficial to the local ecosystem — they eat large numbers of ticks and are resistant to the venoms of most Lowcountry snakes. Their presence is not inherently a problem unless they are denning in a living space.
Calls for it arrive from all over Charleston County, Sullivan's Island, Daniel Island and North Charleston among them.
At a glance
- Size
- House cat-sized; 4-12 lbs
- Appearance
- White face, gray body, naked tail, black ears
- Behavior
- Nocturnal, nomadic; rarely stays in one den for more than a few nights unless raising young
- Rabies
- Cannot contract or transmit rabies — body temperature too low for the virus
- SC role
- Beneficial scavengers; eat ticks, carrion, insects, and overripe fruit
- When
- Year-round; young typically dispersing by late summer
- What it runs
- an estimated $189–$549
What it gets mistaken for
Raccoon. Raccoons are larger, have a ringed tail and black mask, and cause significantly more structural damage. Opossums have a white face, naked tail, and are much less destructive.
What actually happens
Exclusion of crawl space and under-deck access with hardware cloth after confirming no young are present
One-way door or trap removal if an animal is actively denning
Removal of food attractants (unsecured garbage, pet food, fallen fruit)
No relocation typically needed — opossums move on naturally once the den site is closed
Some opossums problems are genuinely finished after one visit. Others return every year whatever you do, and those are what a plan is for.
| What you have | The sensible answer |
|---|---|
| One nest, one room, caught quickly | A one-off |
| The same problem returning every season | Seasonal plan |
| Something living in the building | Treatment plus sealing work |
Rules that apply here
Virginia opossums are classified as a furbearer in South Carolina. Contact SC DNR or a licensed wildlife control operator for trapping guidance.
The mess and the repair
Opossums cause minimal structural damage compared to raccoons or squirrels. The primary issues are odor from droppings and musk secretions in crawl spaces, and the occasional disturbance to insulation or vapor barriers.
Worth trying first
Blocking entry to a crawl space after confirming the opossum has left is effective. Opossums are not aggressive and can be encouraged to leave by securing food sources. A live trap can be used to relocate one that has settled in but check SC DNR regulations for relocation.
What the health risk actually is
Opossums do not carry rabies. They can carry leptospirosis and fleas. Droppings should be handled with gloves. They rarely present a serious health concern compared to raccoons or rats.
What it costs
Most opossums jobs around Mount Pleasant land between an estimated $189 and $549, and the property decides where inside that. The inspection costs nothing and the real number goes in writing before anyone starts. Estimated bands, and what pushes a job up or down them, are set out on the pricing guide, and the service that handles this is Wildlife Removal.
More on this
Elsewhere on this site
Armadillos
The Burrowing Mammal That Digs Up Lowcountry Lawns. Nine-banded armadillos are well-established throughout South Carolina and are expanding their range northward.
Birds in Vents
Nesting Birds in Dryer Vents and Exhaust Fans Create Fire Hazards. Dryer vents, bathroom exhaust fans, and range hood vents are the most common bird nesting sites on Lowcountry homes.
Bats
Protected Wildlife — Exclusion Window August 1 Through April 15. Bats roosting in structures in Mount Pleasant are most commonly Brazilian free-tailed bats or evening bats.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an opossum dangerous?
Opossums are not aggressive. They hiss when cornered but almost never bite. Playing dead (thanatosis) is their primary defense response. They are one of the safest wildlife species to have near a property from a disease and aggression standpoint.
How do I keep opossums from coming back?
Secure food sources — garbage, pet food, and fallen fruit are the primary attractants. Seal crawl space and under-deck vents with hardware cloth after the animal has left. Opossums are nomadic and rarely return to a den site once it is secured.
Can opossums hurt my pets?
Opossums are not aggressive toward dogs and cats in most encounters. A cornered opossum will hiss and may play dead. A very small pet (kitten, small puppy) could theoretically be bitten if it cornered an opossum, but this is uncommon.
Get Started Today
Not sure whether that is what you have?
The inspection is free and you get a straight recommendation rather than a pitch. Same-day service where there is capacity for anything active.
Call (843) 868-3211