It sounds a bit more like a rodent problem ("black fuzzy stuff") than a
possum infestation (mostly gray or white). Be sure to wear gloves and wash
your hands after handling rodent nests or materials contaminated with rodent
urine or droppings.
A good way to get rid of an opossum is to quickly clamp a jumper cable onto
their foot, tail or nearest appendage. You can then haul them out of
whatever hole like a fish on a line. The cable needn't be hooked up to any
power supply - you are just using the clamp. I have used this technique to
pull opossums out of treeholes. I suppose I should recommend checking with
the local humane society or department of conservation regarding disposal of
ol Pogo. If you let them go - they will come back. Depending on the
season/laws or one's frame of mind - they are rather good baked. A bit of
possum trivia - those in the South usually have pointy tails while those in
the North often have blunt tails - reason - Northern possums get the ends of
their tails frozen off.
Ralph Cordell
rzc4@cdc.gov
Hospital Infections Program
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