Opossum Removal in Springfield & Kansas City, MO
Opossum under the deck. In the garage. Sometimes ‘playing dead’ on the lawn. Opossums look more alarming than they actually are — they have lower disease risk than most Missouri wildlife and they are documented tick consumers (one opossum can eat thousands of ticks per season). Sometimes the honest answer is that opossum removal is not actually needed.
Titan Pest Pro provides professional opossum removal across Springfield, Kansas City, and surrounding communities. Honest assessment of whether removal is actually needed. Trapping and exclusion when warranted. Free inspection.
- Veteran-Founded
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- Local to Springfield & Kansas City
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- Termites
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- Pests
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- Wildlife
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- Rated 4.9★ (800+ Springfield reviews)
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- 4.9★ (160+ Kansas City reviews)
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- Licensed & Insured
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- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
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- Veteran-Founded
- ·
- Local to Springfield & Kansas City
- ·
- Termites
- ·
- Pests
- ·
- Wildlife
- ·
- Rated 4.9★ (800+ Springfield reviews)
- ·
- 4.9★ (160+ Kansas City reviews)
- ·
- Licensed & Insured
- ·
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- ·
Opossum Facts: Lower Risk Than You'd Think
Missouri has one opossum species: the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Adults are 4-15 pounds, gray-white fur, pink nose and feet, naked rat-like tail, prehensile (can grip with) tail and feet. North America’s only marsupial — females carry young in a pouch.
Several facts that change the typical ‘wildlife threat’ framing:
- Opossums have a body temperature of 94-97°F, lower than most mammals. This makes them poor hosts for rabies — the rabies virus does not replicate well at lower temperatures. Opossums are NOT classified as rabies vector species. Confirmed rabies cases in opossums are extremely rare.
- Documented tick consumers — research (notably studies at Cary Institute) found that opossums groom efficiently and can eat thousands of ticks per season, providing meaningful Lyme disease vector reduction in some ecosystems. The research has been refined since initial findings but the general beneficial effect on tick populations is documented.
- Opossums are not aggressive. The famous ‘playing dead’ (technically ‘tonic immobility’) is an involuntary defensive response — not strategic. The hissing and tooth display is defensive bluff. Actual opossum bites of humans are rare.
- Opossums clean up carrion, eat slugs, snails, beetles, and other garden pests. In many situations, they’re net beneficial.
When Opossum Removal IS Warranted
Despite the lower-threat profile, there are legitimate reasons for opossum removal:
- Living under a structure that creates safety or structural concerns (under deck where the den traps moisture, opossum dies and creates decomposition issue, etc.)
- Trash and pet food raids that don’t stop with simple exclusion (secured trash, indoor pet food)
- Multiple opossums in a confined space (uncommon)
- Sick or injured opossum on the property
- Direct conflict with pets (dogs and opossums occasionally have confrontations — the opossum almost always loses, but the dog can be injured)
- Customer preference for not having wildlife on the property
We perform the inspection and give you our honest assessment. Sometimes that assessment is ‘this isn’t actually a problem that needs intervention’ — we don’t believe in selling unnecessary services.
Process and Approach
Our opossum removal approach when needed:
Most companies handle just one — pests, or termites, or wildlife — and refer the rest out. Titan handles all three as one local team. One call, one company, one crew that knows your property.
If a pest is covered by your plan and it comes back, we re-service at no charge — no matter what. No fine print.
Reach out and you’ll get a prompt call-back from people who know Springfield and Kansas City — not a distant call center.
Signs of Opossum Activity
- Opossum visible on property at night (they’re primarily nocturnal but young opossums often active in daytime)
- Trash can raids — typically less destructive than raccoon raids; opossums tend to focus on specific food items
- Pet food disappearing if left outside
- Den entry hole under structures — typically smaller and less obvious than raccoon dens
- Droppings (medium-sized, often containing fruit, seed, or insect parts)
- Tracks (5-toed, with a distinctive thumb-like inner toe on rear feet — unique among Missouri wildlife)
- ‘Playing dead’ — an opossum on its side appearing dead but breathing. Don’t approach — it will eventually recover and leave on its own.
Our Opossum Removal Process
Step 1 — Free inspection and activity assessment
Step 2 — Treatment plan and written estimate
Step 4 — Exclusion and entry-point sealing
Step 5 — Cleanup and ongoing protection
Why Choose Titan Pest Pro for Opossum Control?
Choosing the right company is crucial for effective management of pests like opossums. Our team of experts has earned the respect of many residents in the area for several reasons:
Expertise and Experience
Local Knowledge
Opossum Removal Cost in Springfield and Kansas City
Honest ranges for opossum removal:
- Inspection with honest ‘no action needed’ assessment: free.
- Single opossum removal plus basic exclusion: typically $300 to $550.
- Multiple opossums or significant under-structure exclusion: typically $400 to $900.
- Dead opossum carcass removal from under structure: typically $200 to $400. Free inspection includes written estimate when removal is actually warranted.
Titan Wildlife Defense Tie-In
For properties with recurring opossum removal pressure, our Titan Wildlife Defense plan provides bi-monthly monitoring and prevention.
Areas We Serve
Springfield Metro — Cities & Counties
Kansas City Metro — Cities & Counties
Schedule Your Opossum & Wildlife Control Today!
Don’t let opossums and other nuisance wildlife disrupt your life. Our team at Titan Pest Pro is here to provide effective opossum removal. Our team is ready to help you protect your property and ensure a safe environment. We provide safe and effective opossum removal services in Springfield, Kansas City and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I actually need to have this opossum removed?
Maybe not. Opossums have lower disease risk than most Missouri wildlife — they’re NOT rabies vector species (their body temperature is too low for the rabies virus to replicate well). They eat ticks, slugs, garden pests, and carrion. Many opossum situations don’t warrant intervention. We give honest assessments during the inspection — sometimes the answer is ‘this animal isn’t a problem you need to solve.’
Are opossums dangerous to humans or pets?
Generally not. Opossums are not aggressive — their defensive responses are hissing/tooth display (bluff) and ‘playing dead’ (involuntary). Actual opossum bites of humans are rare. Pets that attack opossums can be bitten in defense, but the opossum almost always loses confrontations with dogs. Cats and opossums typically avoid each other.
Do opossums carry rabies?
Very rarely. Opossums have a body temperature of 94-97°F, lower than most mammals. The rabies virus does not replicate well at lower temperatures, making opossums poor hosts. Confirmed rabies cases in opossums are extremely rare. They are not classified as rabies vector species like raccoons, skunks, and bats.
What attracts opossums to my yard?
Same things that attract other wildlife: accessible food (trash, pet food, fruit trees, bird feeders), water sources, and shelter (woodpiles, brush, under-structure cavities). Reducing food access (secured trash, indoor pet food, fallen fruit cleanup) is usually enough to discourage opossums. They typically don’t linger where food is unavailable.
How much does opossum removal cost?
Honest ranges when removal is warranted: single opossum plus basic exclusion $300-$550. Multiple opossums or significant exclusion $400-$900. Dead opossum carcass removal $200-$400. Inspection is free and may conclude ‘no action needed.’
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What Your Neighbors Say
4.9★ (800+ reviews) in Springfield · 4.9★ (160+ reviews) in Kansas City
Customer reviews on Google
Dave Ball
7 months ago
Jordon got up on the roof, took a look all around the house and inside two different crawl spaces and could find no obvious NEW entry points to my attic. Didn't try to hard sell me for any other remedies at this time. Major kudos to this company!
Jennifer Kilgore
9 months ago
The technicians that came by (Jordan and Hunter) were very thorough and went over all of my options. They inspected the exterior of the house to determine possible entry points which will be treated and sealed.
Patricia Pippin
7 months ago
Logan came yesterday to treat the outside of my house, and then pointed out that a ft of the garage door seal was missing. Thanks to Logan's observation, I now have a new seal as of today.
Gay Lynn Robinson
5 months ago
Even though I called on a Saturday Khris scheduled Jordan to check our attic. Jordan was well prepared, very polite and efficient. We are very pleased with this service.
RS
3b years ago
I'm very pleased with Titan Pest and Wildlife. Everyone I've spoken to have been very helpful and amicable. Jake was punctual and did an awesome job. He called the day of my appointment to update his ETA, which I appreciated.