Beaver Information

Are Beavers Good for my Pond?

Beavers, with their industrious nature and adorable chubby cheeks, are often seen as charming additions to a natural landscape. However, their presence can become a nuisance, particularly when they set their sights on your backyard pond. While they play a vital role in the ecosystem, beavers and ponds can sometimes have a complicated relationship, especially when it comes to human property.

The Dam Problem: Flooding and Property Damage

Beavers are renowned for their dam-building abilities. These structures are essential for creating their aquatic lodges and raising their young. Unfortunately, beaver dams can have detrimental effects.

Flooding: Beaver dams raise the water level upstream, potentially flooding surrounding areas. This can damage your property, including your home, landscaping, and outbuildings.
Erosion: Increased water flow caused by dams can lead to erosion of shorelines and streambanks. This can undermine structures like fences, decks, and retaining walls.
Disrupted Drainage: Dams can disrupt the natural drainage patterns of your property, leading to standing water and mosquito breeding grounds.

he Chewing Menace: Tree Damage and Safety Concerns

Beavers are herbivores with a strong need to gnaw on wood to wear down their ever-growing incisors. In a natural setting, they target trees like willows and cottonwoods. However, in your backyard, they may turn their attention to ornamental trees, fruit trees, and even electrical wires.

Tree Damage and Loss: Beavers can quickly fell or severely damage trees, especially younger ones. This can be a significant aesthetic and financial loss, impacting the beauty and value of your property.
Safety Hazards: Beaver-chewed trees pose a safety hazard. Weakened trees are more susceptible to falling and causing damage to your property or injuring people and pets.
Electrical Damage: Chewed electrical wires can create a serious fire hazard. If you suspect beaver activity near electrical lines, contact your power company immediately.

WHAT ARE THESE MOUNDS POPPING UP AROUND MY POND?

Have you noticed curious mounds popping up around your pond? These strange structures might be the work of a busy architect – the beaver. But they're not just random piles of dirt. These are castor mounds, a fascinating form of communication used by beavers to mark their territory.

What are Castor Mounds?

Castor mounds are distinct conical structures composed of mud, sticks, and vegetation. They get their name from a special scent gland located near the beaver's tail base called the castor sac. This gland produces a strong-smelling musk called castoreum, which beavers deposit on the mounds along with secretions from their anal glands.

The Scent of Territory

The potent combination of castoreum and anal gland secretions creates a unique scent signature for each beaver family. These scent posts act as territorial markers, broadcasting a message to other beavers: "This is our pond, stay away!"

Location, Location, Location

Castor mounds are strategically placed, often along the perimeter of a beaver pond or near their lodge. This allows the scent to waft across the water and land, effectively communicating their territorial claim.

A large beaver climbing ove the beaver dam

IF I DESTROY THE DAM WILL THE BEAVERS GO AWAY?

The short answer is NO, Here’s why:

Dam Rebuilding: Beavers are driven by instinct to create and maintain their dams. Destroying their dam is unlikely to discourage them permanently. They'll likely view it as a temporary setback and work tirelessly to rebuild it, potentially even making it bigger and stronger.
Undeterred by Destruction: The act of destroying a dam can be stressful for the beavers, but it's not enough to make them abandon their territory. They may even become more active in their dam-building efforts, trying to control the water flow.

IF I DESTROY THE DAM WILL THE BEAVERS GO AWAY?

ARE BEAVERS DANGEROUS?

The good news is that beavers generally pose no serious threat to humans. They are primarily herbivores, content to munch on aquatic plants and tree bark. In fact, their main concern is likely to be avoiding us.

When Beavers Feel Threatened However, like any wild animal, beavers will defend themselves if they feel cornered or threatened. Here's when you might encounter some defensive behavior:

Tail Slaps: The iconic tail slap – a loud splash on the water surface – is a beaver's primary warning signal. It serves to alert others of danger and potentially scare away a perceived threat.
Teeth and Claws: While not their first line of defense, beavers have sharp incisors and powerful claws. If they feel they have no escape route, they may use them to bite or scratch in self-defense.

HOW DO I GET RID OF BEAVERS?

Don't Go It Alone: Why You Should Call a Professional Nuisance Trapper for Beaver Control

Understanding Beaver Behavior: Professional trappers have a good understanding of beaver behavior and habitat needs. This allows them to assess the situation effectively and formulate a targeted plan.
Safety Considerations: Trapping beavers can be dangerous for an untrained person. Professionals have the experience and equipment to handle the situation safely.
Minimizing Disruption: Trapping done right minimizes disruption to your property and the surrounding ecosystem. Professionals strive to avoid causing unnecessary damage while addressing the problem.
Stress-Free Approach: Dealing with a beaver problem can be stressful. Hiring a professional allows you to focus on other priorities while the issue is addressed effectively.