Tracks: Webbed hind feet and tracks. Front tracks
smaller and toe-in while hind feet tracks and tail drag marks may
obliterate front tracks.
Front Feet 3 in X 2 3/4 in and claw marks show.
Rear Feet 5 toed hind tracks and Hind track is 5 in X 6 in.(12
X 15 cm); 5 toe pads and claw marks usually show. hind tracks show
four or five toe and claw marks with webbing between toes.
Beaver fur Description: The beaver keeps its soft, thick luxurious coat
oiled by combing with its hind foot nail. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
A beaver skull Description: An adult beaver skull is massive. This one is as big
as your fist. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Beaver lodge Description: A beaver can build very large mounds of sticks and
mud in which it seeks shelter and rears its young. Photo Credits: Ronald Fryda
Beaver slide Description: Beaver slides or runways appear on the water's edge. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Damage
Safety Hazard-Beavers occasionally impede or affect the structural
integrity of roads, railroad tressels, and manmade waterways.
Tree Damage-Southeastern U.S. states report annual timber and other
losses at $3 to $5 million. Damage to the timber industry is principally
via flooding.
Chisel-like gnawing on trees,
clipped stems, Large chisel markings on tree trunks. Woody stems up to
one-inch diameter can be clipped off in a single bite.
Other evidence are dams of sticks and mud across streams or piles of
sticks along shore; burrow entrances at water level in stream bank; slide
Agricultural Damage-Stalks of mature field corn can be clipped and
felled, sometimes stacked at lodges.
Solutions
Habitat Modification
Individual
tree wraps Description: These should be made of metal sheets or mesh NOT
chicken wire. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Home and acreage owners need to prevent or mitigate damage
by placing metal mesh fence exclosures around small areas or individual
plants. A fence placed between protected area and the water can
discourage beaver.
NOTE: recent research has questioned the efficacy of this method! A fine sand can be added to alkyd paints and
applied to woody plants to deter gnawing on bark. Caution! Owner must be
willing to tolerate a painted plant! Abrasive Paint - use exterior
latex paint (with a color to match the bark) mixed with Mason sand (30
mil or 70 mil) in a ration of 5 oz. sand to 1 quart paint. Mechanically
mix on the day of application.
source
Use of explosives to alter beaver habitat Description: The safety and integrity of this train trestle was
threatened by beaver burrowing and flooding. This technique is for
trained professionals only.
Beaver pipes & water flow devices can be effective in controlling flooding in areas where some flooding can be tolerated and tree damage is not a concern.
Details on these devices can be found in the university publications
section at the bottom of this page.
Repellents
Some research suggests that using beaver castor to mark areas around a waterway that has yet to have a beaver colony, may help deter beavers from entering the area.
Trapping
Trapping is the most effective way of managing beaver populations. Footholds, conibears, snares,
Hancock, Bailey and other suitcase like traps are all effective in capturing beavers.
Baits: beaver baits fall into two categories, Castor based and food
based.
Foot hold traps for beaver. Description: A number 4 trap works fine.
Shooting
Shotguns can be used on beavers, typically at night. However, beavers quickly can become quite wary.
Toxicants & Fumigants
No toxicants or fumigants are available for beaver control.
Beavers are hosts to several ectoparasites and internal
parasites including, nematodes, trematodes, and coccidians. Giardia
lamblia is a pathogenic intestinal parasite that causes human giardiasis.
The Centers for Disease Control have recorded 41 outbreaks.
These links are comprised of pages dedicated to providing more information on
the biology and control of beaver. Before initiating any
beaver control measures be sure to check with appropriate federal and
state agencies. Links to those agencies can be found in the navigation
bar above.
Identifying and Managing Aquatic Rodents in Texas: Beaver, Nutria and Muskrats by Texas Agricultural Extension Service.1986. 46
pages. 8½x11'' pages. Color photos.
This document, suitable for inclusion in a 3-ring binder, will help
landowners understand and address damage caused by beaver, nutria and muskrats.
Beaver fur
Damage
Habitat Modification
Mississippi State University 