Unveiling The Truth: Do Opossums Eat Ticks? A Scientific Exploration

I've noticed this topic circulating on various social media platforms. However, I'm curious about the validity of this claim. To gain a better understanding, let's delve into the scientific aspect of this topic and weigh the pros and cons of having opossums on your farm.

There is a popular belief that opossums eat ticks, which stems from the Wildlife Federation's claim that these creatures function like tiny vacuums and remove ticks and tick larvae from the environment. However, this claim is based on a single study, published in 2009 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B Journal titled "Hosts as Ecological Traps for the Vector of Lyme Disease."

During the study, researchers aimed to identify which wild animals were less likely to allow larval black-legged ticks, which are carriers of Lyme Disease, to feed and survive. The study involved various hosts, including opossums, chipmunks, squirrels, and others. The main objective was to pinpoint which animals would be less favorable as hosts for ticks, ultimately helping to control the growth of tick populations.

Hosts were captured and placed in cages with ticks to observe feeding rates. Results showed no difference between species. Ticks were then inoculated onto each host, revealing white-footed mice as the preferred host. Removing certain hosts had a significant impact on tick populations, by removing mice it reduced ticks and by removing opossums it increased them.

According to the study, opossums do help in controlling tick population, but 3.5 percent of the ticks were still able to feed on them. It's important to note that opossums only consume ticks that are already on their bodies and do not actively seek out ticks to eat.

There was another study that was published in September of 2021 on Science Direct, "Are Virginia opossums really ecological traps for ticks? Groundtruthing laboratory observations."Researchers captured 32 wild opossums and thoroughly examined their stomach contents to determine if there were any traces of tick remains present. Despite an exhaustive search for tick bodies or body parts, none were discovered. The same researchers also found 23 manuscripts that describe diet analysis, 19 of which studied stomach and digestive tract contents and 4 were scat-based. None of them found ticks to be a preferred diet item of opossums.

The contrast between these two studies is intriguing and cannot be compared. The initial study created an environment that differs significantly from natural conditions. The ticks were manually positioned on the animals, and an artificial habitat was established. They also chose animals that are not extreme groomers. If a cat were included as one of the hosts, would the study results have been altered? In the second study, the researchers analyzed the contents of the stomach. As someone who has removed ticks from both myself and my pets, I've noticed that they tend to be quite fleshy after feeding. This would suggest that they are easily digested by the stomach's juices, leaving no trace behind. This leaves us in a dilemma as to which study to trust.

But are they beneficial on the homestead?

While I usually try to live and let live, I do prioritize the safety of my animals. This means I may need to rehome an animal that could cause problems in the future or neutralize a threat. For example, I prefer to rehome female opossums in the spring and neutralize all males, and Here is why.

It is a common misconception that opossums are herbivores, but in reality, they are omnivores. Although they typically won't intentionally target adult chickens, they will consume eggs, chicks, and weak chickens that cannot defend themselves. Based on my personal observations and anecdotal evidence, it appears that opossums have a tendency to create disruptions in barns and gardens. They also serve as carriers for fleas and several diseases that can affect both humans and animals, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. If you are struggling with an ongoing coccidiosis issue in your animals, it is possible that an opossum is accessing their feed or leaving droppings in their living space. For horse owners, it is important to note that opossums can transmit Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM).

Although opossums have gained popularity lately, the potential dangers they pose are more significant than any benefits they may offer. While I do not believe in actively harming these creatures, I also cannot condone having them near my pets or property. If you have differing opinions, please feel free to share them in the comments below. I have an open mind and always enjoy hearing differing thoughts.