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Muskrat Control

Univ. Publications

 

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Scientific Name: Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrat--Photo by Ed Kellems

Biology

• lives in water and marsh areas.
• Diurnal

Sign

• Runs or trails in the mud of pond bottoms leading to burrows just below water’s edge.
•  Clipped aquatic vegetation or remains of crayfish, fish and mussels.
• Four-toed 1in. X 1 in. front and five-toed 2 in. X 2 in. hind tracks with undulating tail drag mark

muskrat habitat Description: Shows typical marsh inhabited by muskrats	Muskrat hut--may be made of cattails or other marsh plants. Credit: Edward D. Kellems
	Muskrat foods--Include corn, found here as evidence in the water near muskrat den.

Damage

• burrow damage to ponds, reservoirs, shoreline landscapes; Eats aquatic or landscape plants: cattail, bulrush, water lily, duck potato. Eats Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, orchard grass and clovers.
• consumption of aquatic plants and shellfish
• may damage Styrofoam marinas, docks, and boathouses.
• eats corn, soybean, wheat, oats, grain sorghum, sugarcane, rice.

Solutions

Habitat Modification

• Alter habitat via grading to shallow slopes;
• remove emergent vegetation or placing bank control structures.
• Change proper dam or shore construction

Repellents

• None known

Muskrat body grip trap Photo Credits: Dave Purwin photo courtesy of Alan Huot

Trapping

• Body grip, foot hold or colony cage traps.

Shooting

•   Not particularly effective for large numbers. 

Fumigants & Toxicants

• zinc phosphide

Safety & Disease Hazards

• May damage levees, and other water-holding structures, causing flooding.
• Tularemia

Living with Muskrats

Muskrat--Illinois Department of Natural Resources

University Publications

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.

Order On-Line

Dam Safety: Rodent Control (muskrats and others)--Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Water Publications

Muskrats: Urban Wildlife Damage Control--Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service