Possum in my engine!

[Rickman]

Once you've got them out, stop at Auto Zone and get some Gunk engine cleaner!
Put a collapsed cardboard box under the cars engine, and spray the areas they were hiding! Just let it dry, and they won't be back!

 

[Chinniechantel]

Thanks Rick, I will try that I really don't want the poor thing to be hurt. He/she is so cute, and now even my husband feels bad for it he won't spray it with water anymore. He is a softy now that we have the bird! I am seriously considering not driving that car anymore so it can have a home. Haha. I am a softie too and animals are already starting to find me, just like my mother. She ended up on a farm with about 40 different crazy pets and no normal farm animals. Haha, Hey, at least the car is good for something!

 

[Rickman]

And what kind of car is this???

 

[Zalea]

As cool as it would be to keep a pet opossum, I'm not sure it would be a good idea to try to take in a wild one because of those teeth. Those little critters have a WICKED set of teeth, and one bite could cause a lot of stitches. (So I would definitely think twice before "grabbing" an adult, for sure.)

If you're not planning on using the car then hey let them stay. But it really sounds like they plan on staying for quite awhile. Normally when they're startled out of somewhere, they stay away. Seems like they really like your car. If you want it back, you'll probably have to do as starleomach suggested and get a live animal trap, then release them somewhere safe away from people. If not, they're just going to stay and clog up your engine with nesting materials. I would definitely take them more than a mile away, if possible--that close, they could be back.

I have to admit, they sure are cute though. We had an adolescent one coming here once that would come eat leftover cat food on our porch--would actually climb the steps and cross the porch, then give us a "what? I'm not doing anything" look if we turned the light on to look at him (kind of like my hedgehog does if I walk in on him wheeling :cute: )

Good luck figuring out what to do with them!

 

[Chinniechantel]

Thanks, I would never really keep a wild animal, but did consider getting a pet possum after seeing how cute it was. I would think a snake is cute I think! So far the ammonia, loud radio, and motion lights don't seem to bother her. I think this new one is a female, and she builds a nest I take out every morning. I kind of like her!

Rick it is a 95 camry with under 100k miles but I don't need it and don't even have it registered right now I don't think. I need to sell it but now I am just considering it a large possum home! I am scared he will climb into one of the other engines, since she seems so content there. I had something chew my lines in my car a year ago when I was actually driving it, I wonder if it were a possum! I assumed a rat or something. I prefer the possum! I think I will miss her if she leaves.

 

[Rickman]

Chantel - those are worth $2-3000 with those miles! Could pay for another cockatoo!!
Quite a bit for a "possum home" - sell it and maybe they'll go away before the babies are born!!

 

[Chinniechantel]

Thanks Rick, I should sell that car and spoil the bird with a huge aviary, that would be awesome.

I had someone offer to loan me their live trap so that is the plan. Would cat food be the best bait? Or rotting fruit I hear they love? Someone said to move him 5 miles away, but other places said not to move them that far. We live in a gated community so obviously I want to get her out of there. Should she be in the woods...a field, or near water? Any ideas?

 

[addictedtochins]

A car lot. :hilarious: Ok sorry, you all know I can't help myself.

 

[ErinB]

I had someone offer to loan me their live trap so that is the plan. Would cat food be the best bait? Or rotting fruit I hear they love? Someone said to move him 5 miles away, but other places said not to move them that far. We live in a gated community so obviously I want to get her out of there. Should she be in the woods...a field, or near water? Any ideas?

Smelly canned cat food would probably be the best. They love it.

Anywhere there is open land would be fine for her. A wooded area near water would be nice. If she's used to people and eating out of the garbage, she may find her way back to a populated area no matter where you let her go.

Good luck!

 

[Rickman]

A car lot - I love it!!
When I was having a squirrel problem, I went 4 miles away to a forest preserve!
Figured a dozen or so would help the bloodlines in that neck of the woods!!

 

[Chinniechantel]

I read they were very territorial so I want it to be open..there is a conservatory close to my work, if I catch her that is what I will do. Poor thing, I have come to love the possum...but it is a forbidden love. Lol. My husband does not like the possum living in the engine, and I don't want her to get hurt, so we must say goodbye!