Possums might look a little quirky with their pointy snouts and long tails, but they’re surprisingly helpful. In Arkansas yards, these nighttime visitors quietly clean up pests and fallen fruit. Before rushing to shoo them away, it’s worth learning what they actually contribute.
Possums play a role in keeping your garden balanced and your space a little cleaner. I’ve found that knowing how to handle them respectfully makes all the difference. It’s about making smart choices that protect your yard—and the wildlife that shares it.
1. Possums Are Actually Helping Your Property
Many Arkansas homeowners don’t realize possums eat thousands of ticks each season, which helps reduce Lyme disease risk in your family and pets. They also munch on cockroaches, rats, mice, and venomous snakes that wander into yards.
Instead of being pests, possums work like natural pest control that costs you nothing. They clean up fallen fruit, dead animals, and other rotting materials that might attract flies or other unwanted critters to your outdoor spaces.
2. They’re Protected By State Regulations
Arkansas wildlife laws classify possums as furbearing animals, meaning you can’t just trap or remove them whenever you feel like it without following specific rules. Homeowners need proper permits during designated seasons, and some removal methods are completely illegal year-round…