Rhoda Frazier is afraid to have family over for a fourth of July barbeque. She worries unwanted guests will scare everyone. The uninvited visitors are not people but critters.

Rhoda says, “It’s frustrating because you can’t enjoy your yard. You’re afraid they have rabies.”

In the past week Rhoda says she’s captured about six woodchucks and now a possum.

She rented a steel trap. The humane society has picked up the animals several times but must release them close by because of Game and Parks rules.
Humane Society officer Kristie Biodrowski says, “If it’s healthy and not posing a public safety risk we have to release it 100 yards from where we picked it up. That way it stays in its own territory and has a better chance of survival.”

Rhoda blames much of the invasion of unsold homes behind her with overgrown backyards.
The developer Holy Name corporation says the contractor has sprayed weeds and will cut them soon.

In the meantime Game and Parks expert Greg Wagner suggests the homeowner can stuff ammonia soaked rags in the critter hole dug in her backyard. Or spread used kitty litter to deter the visitors.