Beavers are one of the most beloved creatures of North America as they have premiered in many children’s literature stories, cartoons, and mythologies as well as supplied humans with the knowledge of how to build effective dams and have sacrificed their furs to clothe us. Beavers are the largest semi-aquatic rodent and can weigh more than 60 pounds and grow several feet long when they are full grown. They have water-resistant coats, large buck teeth and a large scaly tail that they use to build their dams and to swim. Beavers are also known for building superb dams that can stop the water flow create entirely new ecosystems.
Due to a decrease in pelt values and a corresponding decrease in trapping pressure, beaver populations in the United States have increased by as much as 130% since the 1990’s and continues to exist at high population levels today. The creation of new dams and the expansion of beaver dams within existing wetlands, although beneficial to a whole host of other wildlife species, can create problems for humans. Problem situations may include: an impoundment that threatens downstream property; upstream flooding of land; trees killed or damaged; flooding of highways or railroads; contamination of water supplies; impairments of drainage; interference with the operation of septic systems; flooding of agricultural crops; and flooding of homes.
Beavers are amazing at building strong dams, but this also makes them nuisances because of the disruption of the water flow in an area. These flood areas that are not meant to be flooded and will cause damage to existing dams. They also carry potentially dangerous diseases such as rabies and parasites that can cause blindness and liver failure that they can pass to you and your pets through water and bites. This is not a typical occurrence, but it does happen from time to time. These animals also use their funny looking teeth to cut down trees for materials to build their dam and to for food which can make your property ugly and cost you money.
Some of the measures that have been commonly used to address human beaver conflicts have, in themselves, created environmental problems, such as loss of valuable wetlands, degradation of water quality, and flooding and damage to downstream property. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken to address the problem and eliminate the hazard in an environmentally sound manner. The use of inappropriate dam removal methods (such as the removal of a beaver dam with a backhoe or dynamite), however, can cause significant environmental damage and should only be used in situations that pose an imminent hazard. Not only is the wetland destroyed, but large amounts of sediment are discharged into the stream, severely affecting invertebrate and fish populations, and threatening life and property downstream. Flooding of downstream properties because of the sudden release of large amounts of water can result in extensive property damage.
To rid your property of beavers, follow these initial steps.
Locate the beaver activity area.
To get rid of them successfully, you will first need to locate their center of activity. Familiarizing yourself with the beaver area and knowing the level of damage they can cause is important as it will help you determine how to approach the problem. You can be sure of the presence of beavers when the following signs appear:
Trapping or Removal
Beaver trapping was the traditional method to resolve beaver conflicts. Unfortunately, though it is usually a short-term solution to beaver problems because new beavers often soon relocate to the trapped area. It is most useful when flow devices are not feasible. In our experience trapping is necessary for approximately 25% of beaver-human conflicts. Most issues are better controlled with nonlethal methods. In an area with a healthy beaver population beaver removal typically needs to be repeated every year or two because new beavers will be attracted to the habitat. Therefore, wherever feasible we recommend flow management devices (pond leveler pipes or culvert protective fences) because they are the most long-term and cost-effective solutions to beaver flooding problems.
Dismantle Lodges and Dams
Another way to get rid of beavers is to dismantle their dams and shelters. If its key structures are dismantled, it will be difficult for them to remain in the same place. They are known for being persistent, and being able to repair their prey overnight, but if you are more persistent in damaging them than they are in building it, they will eventually move out. When damaging a dam, make sure there are no beavers inside and use a woodchipper to make sure the building materials cannot be reused. Also check the surroundings to make sure beavers do not have access to new material to rebuild.
Call an Expert!
If you have beaver problems, then it is time to call us. Our mission is to provide an efficient and quality service to citizens, providing protection for them and their properties from the dangers and nuisances caused by beavers or any other type of animal or pest. We have the experience and tools to keep beavers away safely. We will take care of capturing the beavers and releasing them in safe areas where they can develop far from your home. You just have to call us, we will take care of the rest.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Pond
The main concern with beavers is that they alter the landscape in such a way as to promote flooding and erosion. If you have a private pond on your property, a beaver lodge may not be something you want to see. Not only will beavers dam up streams and flood basins, but they will also eat many aquatic life forms within the pond. For those property owners with stocked ponds, beavers can be a real nuisance. To get rid of beavers select the type of trapping method you wish to use. Beavers can be caught in cage traps and relocated, but the placement of cage traps can be an issue. Lethal, body gripping traps may be more practical and can be set along areas where the beaver frequents. The best lure for a beaver is the scent from another beaver. By using this oil, you can trap beavers from a single colony in a short amount of time.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Stream
Beavers that block up a stream are creating a new ecosystem, but they are also potentially flooding an undesirable area. Beavers do a lot of good in nature, but humans do not like the tree damage and landscape changes that ensue. To get rid of beavers in a stream you will need to have a basic idea of how many beavers you are dealing with. These animals can be solitary but often live-in family groups. Set your traps, lethal or nonlethal, along known routes of travel. Beavers will have worn pathways in and out of the water. Use these frequently travelled areas to set the traps. The best lure for the beaver is the oils from a beaver of the same family. These large rodents identify one another by smell. Using beaver oil as bait is a sure way to attract more beavers. Once you have caught and removed all the beavers within the stream you can destroy the dam and revitalize the area.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Lake
Beavers in a lake are not a huge nuisance if the body of water is large enough to support them. Lakes often have innumerable fish and ample space but sometimes beavers can create issues if they dam up an area of water overflow. Getting rid of beavers on a lake can be difficult depending on where the lodge is located. If the water is shallow enough the lodge may be a good distance away from shore. The beavers will eventually return to dry land to harvest more trees, and this is when cage trapping will be effective. For lodges out into the water a way, lethal, body gripping traps are amazingly effective. These traps can be set in the water. Beaver traps must be checked regularly to make sure no animals are caught and suffering. Some states require special licenses to trap beavers. Make sure you follow all laws and regulations regarding this furbearing species.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a River
Beavers in a river pose a danger to motorboats. They can also flood areas close to homes and alter the natural flow of the water. The interesting thing about beavers on a river is that most rivers are owned by the state even if they pass through private property. As a homeowner you may not legally be able to get rid of beavers on a river. Beavers in a river will also be difficult to trap due to the fast currents and potential hazards out in the water. If the beaver lodge is located just offshore, live, and lethal traps can be set along established beaver pathways. Once you have successfully captured a beaver in a lethal trap, you can use the oils from the beaver to lure in others. Scent identification is a big part of communicating within the beaver collective and the smell of one beaver will draw in other.
Due to a decrease in pelt values and a corresponding decrease in trapping pressure, beaver populations in the United States have increased by as much as 130% since the 1990’s and continues to exist at high population levels today. The creation of new dams and the expansion of beaver dams within existing wetlands, although beneficial to a whole host of other wildlife species, can create problems for humans. Problem situations may include: an impoundment that threatens downstream property; upstream flooding of land; trees killed or damaged; flooding of highways or railroads; contamination of water supplies; impairments of drainage; interference with the operation of septic systems; flooding of agricultural crops; and flooding of homes.
Beavers are amazing at building strong dams, but this also makes them nuisances because of the disruption of the water flow in an area. These flood areas that are not meant to be flooded and will cause damage to existing dams. They also carry potentially dangerous diseases such as rabies and parasites that can cause blindness and liver failure that they can pass to you and your pets through water and bites. This is not a typical occurrence, but it does happen from time to time. These animals also use their funny looking teeth to cut down trees for materials to build their dam and to for food which can make your property ugly and cost you money.
Some of the measures that have been commonly used to address human beaver conflicts have, in themselves, created environmental problems, such as loss of valuable wetlands, degradation of water quality, and flooding and damage to downstream property. Therefore, appropriate action should be taken to address the problem and eliminate the hazard in an environmentally sound manner. The use of inappropriate dam removal methods (such as the removal of a beaver dam with a backhoe or dynamite), however, can cause significant environmental damage and should only be used in situations that pose an imminent hazard. Not only is the wetland destroyed, but large amounts of sediment are discharged into the stream, severely affecting invertebrate and fish populations, and threatening life and property downstream. Flooding of downstream properties because of the sudden release of large amounts of water can result in extensive property damage.
To rid your property of beavers, follow these initial steps.
Locate the beaver activity area.
To get rid of them successfully, you will first need to locate their center of activity. Familiarizing yourself with the beaver area and knowing the level of damage they can cause is important as it will help you determine how to approach the problem. You can be sure of the presence of beavers when the following signs appear:
- Beaver dams
- Slides / trails to the water
- Burrows
- Shelters on the riverbank
- Trees felled or gnawed.
- Denials
Trapping or Removal
Beaver trapping was the traditional method to resolve beaver conflicts. Unfortunately, though it is usually a short-term solution to beaver problems because new beavers often soon relocate to the trapped area. It is most useful when flow devices are not feasible. In our experience trapping is necessary for approximately 25% of beaver-human conflicts. Most issues are better controlled with nonlethal methods. In an area with a healthy beaver population beaver removal typically needs to be repeated every year or two because new beavers will be attracted to the habitat. Therefore, wherever feasible we recommend flow management devices (pond leveler pipes or culvert protective fences) because they are the most long-term and cost-effective solutions to beaver flooding problems.
Dismantle Lodges and Dams
Another way to get rid of beavers is to dismantle their dams and shelters. If its key structures are dismantled, it will be difficult for them to remain in the same place. They are known for being persistent, and being able to repair their prey overnight, but if you are more persistent in damaging them than they are in building it, they will eventually move out. When damaging a dam, make sure there are no beavers inside and use a woodchipper to make sure the building materials cannot be reused. Also check the surroundings to make sure beavers do not have access to new material to rebuild.
Call an Expert!
If you have beaver problems, then it is time to call us. Our mission is to provide an efficient and quality service to citizens, providing protection for them and their properties from the dangers and nuisances caused by beavers or any other type of animal or pest. We have the experience and tools to keep beavers away safely. We will take care of capturing the beavers and releasing them in safe areas where they can develop far from your home. You just have to call us, we will take care of the rest.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Pond
The main concern with beavers is that they alter the landscape in such a way as to promote flooding and erosion. If you have a private pond on your property, a beaver lodge may not be something you want to see. Not only will beavers dam up streams and flood basins, but they will also eat many aquatic life forms within the pond. For those property owners with stocked ponds, beavers can be a real nuisance. To get rid of beavers select the type of trapping method you wish to use. Beavers can be caught in cage traps and relocated, but the placement of cage traps can be an issue. Lethal, body gripping traps may be more practical and can be set along areas where the beaver frequents. The best lure for a beaver is the scent from another beaver. By using this oil, you can trap beavers from a single colony in a short amount of time.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Stream
Beavers that block up a stream are creating a new ecosystem, but they are also potentially flooding an undesirable area. Beavers do a lot of good in nature, but humans do not like the tree damage and landscape changes that ensue. To get rid of beavers in a stream you will need to have a basic idea of how many beavers you are dealing with. These animals can be solitary but often live-in family groups. Set your traps, lethal or nonlethal, along known routes of travel. Beavers will have worn pathways in and out of the water. Use these frequently travelled areas to set the traps. The best lure for the beaver is the oils from a beaver of the same family. These large rodents identify one another by smell. Using beaver oil as bait is a sure way to attract more beavers. Once you have caught and removed all the beavers within the stream you can destroy the dam and revitalize the area.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a Lake
Beavers in a lake are not a huge nuisance if the body of water is large enough to support them. Lakes often have innumerable fish and ample space but sometimes beavers can create issues if they dam up an area of water overflow. Getting rid of beavers on a lake can be difficult depending on where the lodge is located. If the water is shallow enough the lodge may be a good distance away from shore. The beavers will eventually return to dry land to harvest more trees, and this is when cage trapping will be effective. For lodges out into the water a way, lethal, body gripping traps are amazingly effective. These traps can be set in the water. Beaver traps must be checked regularly to make sure no animals are caught and suffering. Some states require special licenses to trap beavers. Make sure you follow all laws and regulations regarding this furbearing species.
How to Get Rid of Beavers in a River
Beavers in a river pose a danger to motorboats. They can also flood areas close to homes and alter the natural flow of the water. The interesting thing about beavers on a river is that most rivers are owned by the state even if they pass through private property. As a homeowner you may not legally be able to get rid of beavers on a river. Beavers in a river will also be difficult to trap due to the fast currents and potential hazards out in the water. If the beaver lodge is located just offshore, live, and lethal traps can be set along established beaver pathways. Once you have successfully captured a beaver in a lethal trap, you can use the oils from the beaver to lure in others. Scent identification is a big part of communicating within the beaver collective and the smell of one beaver will draw in other.
