Busy Beavers, those industrious architects of the animal kingdom, are found throughout much of North America, including the United States. While their population has fluctuated over the centuries due to trapping and habitat loss, they’ve made a strong comeback in many areas. 

Overview of the Beaver

These primarily nocturnal creatures are most active in regions with abundant water sources, such as rivers, streams, and ponds. Beavers have chisel-like teeth and an insatiable appetite for woody plants, beavers play a crucial role in shaping their environment. They consume a variety of aquatic vegetation, including bark, leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants. 

Signs of Beavers on Your Property

The first question is are you near a body of water? Beavers typically remain near water, so if you don’t have a lake, pond, or river nearby… you probably don’t have a beaver. However, If you suspect beavers are making themselves at home on your property, keep an eye out for these indicators:

• Dam Construction: The most obvious sign is a dam built across a stream or waterway, causing water levels to rise.
• Trees and Shrubs with Gnaw Marks: Beavers have sharp teeth and leave distinct chew marks on tree trunks and branches.
• Canals: Look for shallow channels dug by beavers to transport materials.
• Lodges: These dome-shaped structures made of sticks and mud are built for shelter.
• Castor Slabs: Beavers secrete a substance called castoreum, which they deposit on underwater structures. It has a strong, musky odor.

Beaver Breeding Season

Beaver breeding typically occurs in late winter or early spring. After a gestation period of about three months, a litter of 2-4 kits is born. The kits are born blind and helpless and rely on their parents for care. These babies will spend their first two to three years with their family before going off into the world to find their own family. 

Beavers’ Role in the Ecosystem

Beavers are considered keystone species, meaning they have a disproportionately large impact on their environment. Their dams create wetlands, which provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. Wetlands also help to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and recharge groundwater. Beavers are directly responsible for creating ecosystems that lead to diverse wildlife, healthy ecosystems, and even create wetlands that filter water. 

Making Your Property Less Inviting to Beavers

While beavers are beneficial to the environment, their activities can sometimes cause problems for property owners. When that happens, there are some things you can do to deter beavers:

• Protect Trees: Wrap tree trunks with wire mesh or plastic guards to prevent beavers from gnawing on them.
• Dam Removal: If a beaver dam is causing flooding or erosion, consider removing it carefully to avoid harming the animals.
• Flow Devices: Installing flow devices in streams can help maintain water levels and discourage dam building.
• Repellents: There are commercial beaver repellents available, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the environment and how it is applied. 
• Live Trapping and Relocation: In severe cases, live trapping and relocating beavers may be necessary, but this should be done by a professional wildlife control operator as a final resort as the beaver’s role in your property needs to be carefully evaluated before removal.

Summary

It’s important to approach beaver problems with a balance of human and wildlife needs. By understanding their behavior and implementing appropriate management strategies, you can coexist peacefully with these remarkable creatures. And if you need it, Prickly Pear is standing by to help you get this flat tailed rodent under control whether it is dam breaking or relocating these beavers to a better home!