Nope! Squirrels and 'Possums can live in close proximity and compete for the same foods. Fruit is a favorite of both.

Yes, the 'Possums will climb your trees and eat anything the squirrels miss. Plus the 'Possums get into garbage cans too.

Both are pests you don't want!

Good luck! You will need it with those combined "rats!"

Lisa

Things do not bode well for your fruit trees. Get rid of those buggers, and fast!

the only way, good luck.

http://www.kania.net/

Be careful trapping anything. You'll notice that website is in England where they have a significant problem with an invasive squirrel population and the government has sanctioned trapping and killing at will. The same is absolutely not true where I live, some squirrels are quite protected. Beware trapping and killing without knowing what your local laws are.
If you want to get rid of the possums, look online and find a local possum rescue group. They may be willing to come take yours away, without a ticket from the local constabulary. Something to consider about possums is that they're kind of vagabonds. They'll live in an area for a year or two and then move on. They're marsupial, mate for life, and also make pretty good pets. If you have enough fruit to share, why not?

dave

in Canada

http://www.kania.net/

Oh, give me a break, dave. Squirrels are NOT a protected species anywhere in the USA. Now, there may be some municipalities where a specific population, like the 'white squirrels of Olny IL' are protected by a city regulation, but otherwise, the only other limitations are the hunting seasons established by state departments of fish and wildlife. Same for possums.
Fish & wildlife authorities are totally unconcerned about and fully willing to allow termination of nuisance wildlife, like squirrels, opossums, raccoons - and notice I said termination. Wildlife biologists, the world over, are opposed to relocation of nuisance animals - relocation often results in a slow lingering death for the relocated animal, and may pose significant danger to the established resident population you relocate them into.
Trap and terminate with extreme prejudice.

Ya don't need a break lucky, you need a clue. You're right, there are municipalities where specific populations of certain species ARE protected. I live in one, and certain squirrels ARE protected and harm to them IS prosecuted here. Your assertation that they're NOT protected anywhere in the USA is flat out WRONG. Can you name all of those municipalities across the country and the animals they protect? All of the counties? How bout just naming the state birds? I can't, so to be on the safe side, before I trapped and killed anything in a city, county or State limit, I'd check. Just FYI, cause you need some I, in the State of Iowa, rule of thumb is. . . everything is protected by law unless it has a specific season to be hunted. (Except pigeons and they're protected unless they're within 50 feet of buildings and roads, or some such but arguing specifics about something unrelated is pretty moot.)
My advice stands valid. Check first about killing stuff, especially in a city. You might be surprised what do good neighbors are gonna call the cops about when you offend their sense of 'hurting innocent creatures'. It's not a lot of work to make sure you're not violating any kind of law.

So, what about making sure it's legal before you do it offends you, Lucky? Or do ya just hate possums that much?

dave

Sorry bout that nekked one,

Saw invasive greys and immediately thought of Britain. Really just skimmed the page. A buddy of mine there tells great stories of his wars. LOL.

d

Point taken, dave. I did paint with a rather broad brush.
That said, in 99.9999% of the country, marauding squirrels, opossums, raccoons, deer, etc. are not protected other than by state fish and game regulations, and typically those authorities will readily allow termination of nuisance animals which are damaging crops/plantings.
lycheeluva, if you live in a spot where these vermin are protected, live-trap and relocate 'em to the other side of town and let the new/relocated animal duke it out with the established population - but be aware that both may suffer as a result.
Otherwise, remove any and all offending vermin as you feel compelled to to preserve the fruits of your labor. If you're concerned about 'do-good' neighbors, as characterized by dave, you may need to 'shoot, shovel, and shut-up'.

No, dave, I don't hate opossums, but I have, over the years, developed an enmity toward squirrels and deer which would readily take &/or damage all my fruits, nuts, and plants with no thought to 'sharing the bounty' with me - and both are pretty tasty when processed properly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Top 10 sites for white & black squirrels

Dave:

I was born and raised in Iowa, and I don't know where in that state you live where people are prosecuted for controlling squirrels. There was a squirrel season, but you would have to show up with a dead out-of-season squirrel to beg to be prosecuted before fish and game would act. There were always plenty of squirrels, and now there are more.

Now I live in Virginia, where squirrels are nearly as numerous as flies. I pick them off with a pellet gun or .22 CB's. I do not shoot birds. There are situations where you have to use your common sense. If I did not control the squirrels, I might as well not try to grow tree fruits. I do not haul every squirrel down to fish and game to point out that I shot it. There are times when I can look out at my back yard and see two dozen squirrels simultaneously.

If you are very fond of squirrels, perhaps you should be contributing to the squirrel forum, not the fruit and orchards forum. Don't get me started on deer, which in western Iowa can be found about every quarter mile by the side of I-80. Pretty dangerous situation, and not good for insurance rates or the health of drivers running 65 mph or more.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

never had a problem with 'possums. always enjoyed them playing "possum" until you grab them by the tail and lift them up and the hissy fits start. had 1 as a pet, nary an insect in the basement and always went outside to do his business.

growing up in maryland if u shot squirrel out of "season" the game dept had no problems handing u a citation and a court date. don't know how it is now. deer eating your "food" or "commercial crop" could be killed with an depredation permit after game and fish verified and justified such actions.

here in washington you cannot kill any big game animal "out of season". if you have a commercial orchard and depredation occurs fish and game will allow the killing of big game animals in coordination with their direction. wish u could shoot those that had their way with your food crops. i'd have my own butchery selling whitetails,muleys,bear and moose. don't know if anyone has any problems with or shoots tree squirrels here.

momma nature helps out now and again with problem animals. while out making my fruit tree rounds - to admire my "blossoms" a lion chased a deer down the hill from me , although i don't have a clue how that little drama turned out. whiz bang and gone in seconds.

Don,

If you're suggesting I should stop posting here, I got the hint. Not terribly likely to happen until I'm bored with it. So ya know, in college I worked for an attorney who defended a case for someone being prosecuted for just such a thing. It was NOT the DNR who was involved, it was the county attorney via the local police. Last count I knew, Iowa only had 6 DNR law enforcement officers, so they're really not much to worry about. It's not that I'm terribly fond of any species, I just happen to be aware that some places (read nearly all in the US) legislate what you can kill and trap, as well as how you can kill and trap, and when you can kill and trap. Was only offering a word of caution that doing so randomly without knowing what your specific local laws are, can and will put you at risk. Especially if you're in a city limit full of neighbors. Sorry if cautioning someone to check their local statutes before 'terminating with extreme prejudice' so they don't get ticketed, is so offensive here.
For those of you so terribly worried about the suffering of the poor creature getting relocated and the local population around em, read ALL the words in my first post and notice the suggestion of finding a local RESCUE group. If you're unfamiliar with them, I'm not going to waste my time explaining what a rescue does, look it up.

I don't get it, what is so offensive about telling someone to make sure they're doing it by the book so they don't get in trouble? Anyone tell me why that is?

d

"I don't get it, what is so offensive about telling someone to make sure they're doing it by the book so they don't get in trouble? Anyone tell me why that is?"

Well, I guess it is all about common sense. Do you do everything in your life before you check the book? If so, I have to say you are........ Do you check your book before you kill a fly?

Squirrels are just everywhere in the US.

"Do you do everything in your life before you check the book? If so, I have to say you are........ Do you check your book before you kill a fly?"

You're right. I don't check the rules for killing flies. Guess it really is all about common sense and I can see that ain't gonna happen in this thread if we're already down to internet nitpicking about killing flies. I have deer in my yard, and I don't get my shotgun out to deter those pests because I know firing a shotgun at a deer out of season in city limit is restricted.
I give up on this one, you guys are right. Shoot and trap anything you want, whenever and where ever, no one is ever going to care about it.
Lychee, I suggest extreme prejudice too. Get yer shotgun out, an go kill em.

Dave:

I think you are reading more into what I said than was actually there. In no way am I suggesting you should stop posting here. Nor do I suggest what you have said was offensive, but we have different perspectives here.

There are lots of red and white oak trees where I live, and a few walnuts and hickories around too. When these trees have a good acorn and nut year, the squirrel population can grow geometrically with the size and numbers of broods. Wildlife authorities are concerned with their wildlife, not the problems I may have with my orchard. I am quite certain that if I were to approach this bureaucracy with a proposal to control squirrels, I would face difficulties in finding anyone willing and able to approve such a thing. And I am dead certain they would not like my methods. Sometimes you have to let a sleeping dog lie.

I like my orchard and the fruit it produces, which I could probably call my principal hobby, and will not give it up. So I do what I have to do. I am far from eliminating squirrels in this area judged by the roadkill on local byways.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

This is a bit late but these small animals may be easier to kill but it is very easy to live catcb and drop them in another suita le area or have a rescue do it. There may be large numbers of some animals but they have natural predators that will keep the populations down and are needed alive so there is plenty of food for those predators. As far as fruit trees go havent you heard of putting something around the tree so the animals cant climb it or something else to keep the squirrels from your trees. All animals serve a purpose possums are the only marsupial we have in the usa they are 8 times least likely to have rabies than a dog they are related to koalas and kangaroos and are completely harmless to us and at the most they play posdum or bare their teeth but its just a fake out then they just run they are scared and should be they are pretty defenseless they are VERY. Important they are very good for yards and gardens they eat all the bad bugs and things and are the cleaners of the earth they eat all the. Dead things and without them the earth would be out of balance and wed be overrun with rotting drad carrion and things. Besides that possums are very sweet and they are blamed for getging in garbage but they are not to blame raccoons or other animals get the garbage out and naturally any animal passing. By will check it out. Ieave my garbage bags out and neither my wild raccoons or possums get into it maybe because its in A good bag thats closed and in a can with a tight lid(no temptation for raccoons) but i had an open bag sitting outside and watched all evening and the possums never went near it not once. Possums are wonderful little animals that have gotten a bad rap and they are far from a pest they are a benefit to the earth and if lucky enough to have around your yard they are great for your flower garden.

You know you all are are kill happy. We are bigger but they deserve to live too, im sure we put a crimp in their life somewhat too. Please try to animal proof your fruit trees and if all else fail please either get a rescue to live trap or live trap its very easy and leave them in another good location they may or may not have to travel a little before findind an area not taken by another but theyd prefer that instead of being dead im sure. Please put yourself in their place before taking the little bit quicker easier way out. You will feel much better for it. We are bigger then they are but PLEASE see them as something with its own life and not just a pest, PLEASE!!!

A 9 year old bump! Very nice :) I personally don't fault these animals, they are trying to live their life. But is it not okay to kill for your food? Even if you are a vegetarian, there is a farmer killing possums, squirrels, gophers, rats, mice, etc on your behalf so they don't destroy your crops. So you too are killing these animals, just having someone do it on your behalf. Growing your own food puts you in more connection with it, and there is no one to take care of problems on your behalf except yourself. As humans I think the most important thing is for us to be humane to animals. Wouldn't you agree it is more humane to quickly kill an animal rather than relocate it to place without a proper food source where it slowly succumbs to stress & starvation?

Please be considerate. The squirrels may have babies and separating them will leave them to starve to death. We must be think of the consequences of our actions.

I love squirrels even when they run up my window screens, roof, etc. Also, they don't carry rabbis as opossums, rats, raccoons, etc., do. But opossums will eat just about anything so I believe they will kill a grown squirrel if it gets in the way of the opossum wanting to kill and eat squirrel babies. The same thing is with birds: they wont kill a grown, say, robin, but will kill it if it's in the way of the opossum wanting to eat the eggs or baby birds.