Beaver (Castor canadensis)

The Definitive Guide to Beaver Control and Where to Find a
Wildlife Control Professional!

The Beaver (Castor canadensis),  is the largest North American rodent. Most adults weigh from 35 to 50 pounds, with some occasionally reaching 70 to 85 pounds. Individuals have been known to reach over 100 pounds. The beaver is a stocky rodent adapted for aquatic environments. Many of the beaver’s features enable it to remain submerged for long periods of time

Identification

The beaver (Castor canadensis) is the largest North American rodent. Most adults weigh from 35 to 50 pounds, with some occasionally reaching 70 to 85 pounds. Individuals have been known to reach over 100 pounds (45 kg). The beaver is a stocky rodent adapted for aquatic environments. Many of the beaver’s features enable it to remain submerged for long periods of time.

Range

Beavers are found throughout North America, except for the arctic tundra, most of peninsular Florida, and the southwestern desert areas. The species may be locally abundant wherever aquatic habitats are found.

Damage Caused by Beaver

Timber Damage

Most of the damage caused by beavers is a result of dam building, bank burrowing, tree cutting, or flooding. Some southeastern states where beaver damage is extensive have estimated the cost at $3 million to $5 million dollars annually for timber loss; crop losses; roads, dwellings, and flooded property; and other damage. In some states, tracts of bottomland hardwood timber up to several thousand acres in size may be lost because of beavers. In addition, beavers threaten human health by contaminating water supplies with Giardia.

Identifying beaver damage generally is not difficult. Signs include dams; dammed-up culverts, bridges, or drain pipes resulting in flooded lands, timber, roads, and crops; cut-down or girdled trees and crops; lodges and burrows in ponds, reservoir levees, and dams. In large watersheds, it may be difficult to locate bank dens. However, the limbs, cuttings, and debris around such areas as well as dams along tributaries usually help pinpoint the area.

Control Methods

Beaver control has become a major issue throughout many areas of the U.S. As fur prices have dropped, and antis (animal rights protest industry) continue their war against wildlife utilization, many are discovering that something must be done to control beaver damage. This page will help you sort through the options.

Please read it carefully. A word of warning. There is no magic in the animal damage control industry. Despite what people say, there are few situations where the solution is something easy like a spray.

Click here for traps and methods to control nuisance Beavers.

For best results contact a Wildlife Control Professional.