Should Walnut Creek family let an opossum live under a shrub in their yard?

"There are benefits to having an opossum as a close neighbor. Of all the critters that could move in, the opossum is probably the easiest to co-exist with. They rarely do significant damage to yards and gardens, although they can snack on fruits and vegetables. More often, they eat the sorts of things that we don't want in our yards insects, slugs, snails, ticks, cockroaches and even some rodents."

"They also don't carry some of the diseases other animals carry, such as rabies. Their low body temperature seems to counter rabies, although they can carry leptospirosis, which is a serious bacterial disease. If the opossum sticks around, you should talk to your vet about immunizing your dog against it. Don't attempt to feed it, keep your garbage bins tightly shut, and don't allow your dog out unsupervised. Opossums aren't known to attack humans or dogs, but it's always a good idea to be cautious."

An opossum has established a den at the base of a yard shrub. Opossums often move on naturally and may not need active removal. They rarely cause significant garden damage but can occasionally eat fruits and vegetables. Opossums consume insects, slugs, snails, ticks, cockroaches and some rodents, providing beneficial pest control. They are unlikely to carry rabies because of their low body temperature, but they can carry leptospirosis. Homeowners should avoid feeding wildlife, secure garbage bins, keep dogs supervised, and consult a veterinarian about immunizations if the opossum remains nearby.

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