If you live in Florida and suspect something furry, sneaky, and nocturnal has taken up residence in your attic, shed, or under your porch, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of Florida homeowners find themselves face-to-face (or footprint-to-floorboard) with a not-so-welcome visitor: the possum.
But what exactly draws these marsupials into your space? Where do possums like to sleep, and what can you do to prevent your home from becoming their next nap zone?
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about possum sleeping habits—especially if you’re looking for a safe, effective way to encourage them to sleep somewhere else.
What Are Possums (a.k.a. Opossums)?
Possums, properly known as opossums in North America, are the only marsupials native to the U.S. These solitary, primarily nocturnal animals are famous for their scavenging habits, their ability to “play dead” (aka playing possum), and their adaptability to both natural and urban environments. While they might resemble large rodents, they’re not in the rodent family at all.
Despite their scavenger status, opossums are not considered aggressive. They’re more likely to hide or play dead if they feel threatened than to attack. That said, they can still carry parasites like ticks and fleas, and when they nest inside or near human homes, they become a nuisance.
When and Why Possums Sleep: Understanding Nocturnal Animals
Possums are nocturnal animals, meaning they’re most active at night. During the day, they’re looking for one thing: shelter. They need a spot to rest, stay hidden from predators like dogs, cats, birds of prey, and humans, and keep warm (or cool) depending on the season.
In the wild, a possum’s go-to sleeping locations include:
- Hollow trees
- Abandoned burrows
- Under thick brush or plants
- Rock crevices
- Fallen logs
However, as urban areas continue to expand—and as human homes provide more stable, warm, and food-adjacent environments—possums have evolved to prefer manmade structures for refuge and sleep.
Where Do Possums Sleep in Human Structures?
In populated areas like Miami, Orlando, or Tampa, it’s not unusual to find a possum (or a whole family) sleeping in or around:
- Attics
- Basements
- Under decks or porches
- Inside sheds
- Garages
- Crawl spaces
- Wall voids
These spaces mimic their natural nesting sites but offer extra protection and security from predators, bad weather, and even other animals like raccoons or skunks. If you find possum tracks around your yard, you can bet that they are sleeping in one of the structures on your property.
Possums also tend to nest near food sources. If your garbage bins are unsecured, or if your yard has a lot of fallen fruit, pet food, or compost, it’s a major attractant. A possum will gladly sleep within 10-20 feet of its food supply if it means less foraging and less risk.
What Do Possum Nests Look Like?
Possums don’t build complex nests like birds or squirrels. Instead, they borrow what’s already there and customize it with whatever they can find. A possum’s sleeping spot might include:
- Dry leaves
- Twigs and branches
- Pieces of insulation or paper
- Cloth scraps
- Human trash or food wrappers
The nest is typically hidden, quiet, and hard to reach—exactly how they like it. Female possums with babies (baby possums or joeys) are especially drawn to spots where they won’t be disturbed.
Are Possums Dangerous?
While possums don’t usually pose a direct threat to humans, they can:
- Carry ticks, fleas, and other parasites
- Leave droppings and urine that smell and stain
- Damage insulation or wiring in attics
- Spread bacteria if they die inside the walls or ceilings
They’re also opportunistic feeders—meaning your garbage, pet food, and garden plants are fair game. While they help control pests like ticks, slugs, and even small rodents, their presence near (or inside) your home isn’t ideal.
Signs a Possum Is Sleeping in or Near Your Home
If you’re wondering whether a possum has decided your home is the Ritz-Carlton of Florida wildlife, look out for these signs:
- Scratching or rustling sounds at night
- Droppings or urine in odd places
- Trash cans are being tipped over
- Hollow or rotting smells
- Visible entry points under sheds, porches, or into the attic
You might also spot baby possums trailing behind their mother, especially during the spring. Possums give birth to litters of up to 20 babies, and when they’re young, they cling to the mother’s back or stay in the nest until mature enough to venture out.
Why Florida Homes Are So Attractive to Possums
Florida’s subtropical climate makes it a possum paradise. With warm temperatures, lush vegetation, and year-round access to food, it’s a perfect storm for nesting activity.
Add in the increasing overlap between urban development and wildlife habitats, and you’ve got possums nesting closer to humans than ever before. Because we are tearing down forests and replacing green space with homes or businesses, there are fewer natural places for animals like possums to live. As a result, they are more likely to call our buildings home.
How to Keep Possums from Sleeping in Your Space
If you’re not keen on waking up to an opossum snoozing above your ceiling, here are a few practical steps to protect your home:
1. Secure Entry Points
Possums can’t just open your front door and walk in. If they are coming inside, that means there is an entry hole or two that they’ve found. Make sure to patch holes in roofing, siding, and vent covers. Also, use mesh or hardware cloth to block crawlspaces, decks, and sheds
2. Remove Attractants
Possums are attracted to food sources. The best ways to prevent them from considering your yard a haven are to:
- Keep garbage bins tightly sealed
- Bring in pet food at night
- Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables promptly
- Clean up fallen birdseed from feeders
3. Clear Nesting Areas
Possums like to create nests in areas where they believe they are safe from predators. To prevent them from nesting in your yard, you should:
- Trim overgrown bushes or shrubs
- Move woodpiles away from the house
- Remove unused construction materials or clutter from the yard
4. Install Motion Lights or Sprinklers
Possums are nocturnal and shy. Sudden lights or water sprays can disrupt their nighttime habits and deter them from nesting nearby.
What to Do If You Find an Opossum Sleeping
Don’t try to remove it yourself. Possums are wild animals and may become defensive if cornered, especially females protecting their young.
Instead, you should:
- Contact a licensed wildlife removal service that specializes in humane trapping, possum removal, and relocation.
- Avoid disturbing the nest, especially if babies are present.
- Never attempt to kill or poison possums. It’s both inhumane and illegal under Florida wildlife laws.
Most removal services in Florida also offer prevention strategies after removal, sealing up entry points, and offering long-term exclusion solutions.
Get Connected to Possum Removal Services
Like many animals, possums live close to humans because we provide what they need: shelter, food, and quiet places to rest. They don’t want a fight. They don’t even want attention. They just want to sleep somewhere safe.
But when that “somewhere safe” happens to be your attic or garden shed, it’s time to respond with thoughtful, professional wildlife removal—one that respects both your home and the life of the animal.
So the next time you hear something bump in the night, remember: it might just be a tired possum looking for a place to crash.
If you are dealing with a possum problem, it’s time to call for professional help. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we offer humane possum removal services, which means we won’t harm them in the process of removing them. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can possums climb into homes from trees or fences?
Yes, possums are excellent climbers. They use their prehensile tails and sharp claws to scale fences, tree branches, and even brick walls. If tree limbs overhang your roof or a fence leads to your attic vents, a possum could easily use that as a pathway into your home.
2. Do possums hibernate in Florida winters?
No. Unlike some wildlife, possums do not hibernate. Even in cooler months, especially in Florida’s mild climate, possums remain active year-round. However, they may limit their movement during cold snaps and stay in their dens longer to conserve energy.
3. Can possums live peacefully with other animals like cats or raccoons?
Possums are solitary and generally avoid conflict, but they don’t “live peacefully” with other animals. They’ll steer clear of more dominant species like raccoons. If forced to share space (like under a deck), the tension can lead to aggressive behavior or territorial struggles.
4. What should I do if I find a baby possum alone?
If you find a baby possum under 7 inches long (not including the tail), it’s likely still dependent on its mother. Do not attempt to raise or feed it. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Possums are protected by law in Florida, and improper handling can harm the animal.
5. Do possums cause structural damage to homes?
Possums don’t chew wires or wood like rodents, but their presence can still cause issues. Their urine and droppings can stain insulation, and their nests may compress or displace insulation materials, reducing your home’s energy efficiency. If they die in a wall or attic, it can create a strong odor and attract other pests.
6. How long do possums typically stay in one place?
Possums are transient by nature. They may stay in a single shelter for a few days to a few weeks before moving on—unless they find abundant food and no disturbances. If your home offers consistent shelter and food, a possum might settle in for longer.
