Beaver Control & Removal

Biology: The beaver is the largest rodent found in North America. Adults can weigh up to 65 pounds and measure from 24 to 36 inches, plus a tail of 12 to 18 inches. With its webbed hind feet, waterproof fur, and unique paddle-shaped tail, the beaver is well-adapted to living in an aquatic environment. Beavers constitute a major nuisance species in many parts of the country, particularly the more northern states, where the population is coming back.

Nuisance Concerns: Beavers are considered a nuisance for two primary reasons: tree cutting and dam building. Tree cutting is undesirable to landowners who want to protect their trees. Dam building is a more serious matter, resulting in flooding forest and farm lands, plugged culverts and the washout of roads. In addition, the dam can threaten downstream property. Some farmers or homeowners have a problem with flooding of trees or crops, flooding of homes, flooding of highways or railroads, impairment of drainage systems and contamination of water supplies.

Beaver Trapping: There are several types of beaver traps, both live traps and lethal traps.  If the animal is live-caught, it must be relocated at least ten miles from the capture site, and not within the same water system.

Wondering how to get rid of beavers? There is no magic spray or device that you can use to make them go away. Some people try to sell predator urine, such as coyote or fox urine to get rid of beavers, but that doesn't work. They also try to sell ultrasonic sound emitters. These devices are worthless at eliminating beavers. Some old wives' tales recommend the use of mothballs or ammonia-soaked rags to make them leave, but I've been to countless properties where these techniques failed - biologists know that these attempts won't work. The ONE AND ONLY WAY to take care of your problem is with trapping and removal of the animals. If you need to find a professional trapper in your hometown, just click our comprehensive list of hundreds of wildlife removal professionals, and you can have your problem quickly taken care of!

Beaver Problem Prevention: You can curtail the threat of dam flooding by building a tube drainage system at the lake that will allow the lake to drain and not grow so large. Tree gnawing can be prevented by building a steel fence around the tree with chicken wire. You can also wrap the chicken wire around the tree. These methods are labor intensive, and removal of the animal is more effective. However, these options do exist if you don't want to trap the critter.