Beavers and Muskrats Control
How to Protect Your Property from Beavers and Muskrats
Beavers and muskrats are very similar. Both are large, furry rodents that reside in and around water. They eat lots of vegetation and cause many of the same problems. However, there are some key differences in their appearances and behaviors. For example, muskrats have thin, long tails, whereas beavers have flat, wide tails. Another difference is that beavers build dams in pods, lakes, streams and rivers.
Beavers and muskrats are very common in northwest Indiana. These rodents are essential players in the local ecosystem. However, if there’s a beaver or muskrat on your property, they can also cause damage. Muskrats burrow into dens along the banks of ponds and rivers, which weakens the surrounding area and causes erosion and seeping. Beavers destroy vegetation and knock down small trees and branches to build dams.
Fortunately, if there are beavers or muskrats on your property, there are humane ways to remove them and keep them from returning. The animal control experts at McCoy Wildlife Control have the skills, tools and knowledge to help. We have years of experience providing humane animal control services, and we’re proud to offer friendly, professional help to Northwest Indiana residents and business owners. But first, how do you know if you’re dealing with a beaver or muskrat?
Important Signs You're Dealing with a Beaver or Muskrat
Finding tree damage
Beavers are notorious for chewing down trees. Additionally, beavers also remove bark for dams. If you find that small trees are down or bark is missing from older, larger trees, you may have a beaver on your property.
Seeing a dam
If you find tree damage but are unsure if it’s related to beavers, look for a dam! Beavers dam bodies of water using bark, tree limbs and mud. You likely have a beaver if you notice water pooling or a significant build-up of limbs and mud!
Finding a den
Muskrats don’t make dams, but they do burrow into dens. These dens are typically 4 to 6 inches wide along the banks of rivers, ponds and other bodies of water. If you find a hole in a place like this, you likely have a muskrat on your property.
Spotting a rodent
The best sign of a beaver or muskrat is seeing a beaver or muskrat! These large rodents are primarily nocturnal, so it may be harder to spot them. However, you’re likely to see them swimming during the day or toward the evening. If you see a large rodent swimming, watch for the tail. Muskrats often float their thin tails atop the water, whereas beavers leave their tails beneath the surface.
Finding vegetation damage
Muskrats and beavers eat a lot of vegetation. They may eat crops, gardens and plants along the water’s banks.
Contact Us Today for the Best NWI Animal Control Services
If you suspect you have a beaver or muskrat on your property, don’t try to remove them yourself! Wild animals carry diseases and may become dangerous when they feel threatened. Instead, contact the friendly professionals at McCoy Wildlife Control.
Contact McCoy for Rat and Mouse Removal
Keep your family, pets and yourself safe from the damage small rodents can cause. Contact McCoy Wildlife Control today if you’ve identified signs of a rat or mouse problem in your home or business. Call us at 219-362-7444, and our team of expertly trained and experienced wildlife control technicians will be with you shortly.
