Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Wildlife · Pest guide

Beavers control

Felled trees and flooded land: tree guards, flow devices and permits.

When to call a pro

Beavers at a glance

Scientific name
Castor canadensis
Size
3 to 4 feet including tail (90–120 cm), 35 to 65 lb
Appearance
Large rodent with a broad flat tail and orange teeth
Where found
Streams, ponds, culverts, waterfront properties
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageHigh
  • Do it yourself?Call a pro
When beavers are active Peak: Apr–Oct
  1. Jan Low
  2. Feb Low
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Peak
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Active
  7. Jul Active
  8. Aug Active
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Peak
  11. Nov Active
  12. Dec Low

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Trees chewed to a pencil point
  • Dams and flooded ground
  • Lodges of sticks and mud

Call a professional when

  • Flooding of roads, yards or septic systems
  • Dams in culverts
  • Any trapping: rules and permits vary by state
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Wrap valuable trees with welded wire
  • Install flow devices to control pond levels

Our beavers guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep beavers out

  1. Wrap valuable trees with welded wire
  2. Install flow devices to control pond levels

Often confused or found together

All wildlife
Muskrats Burrowing that weakens pond banks and dams. Groundhogs Big burrows under sheds and decks, and a hungry appetite for gardens. Birds Pigeons, woodpeckers and nesting birds: deterrents that are legal and humane.