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Wildlife · Pest guide

Muskrats control

Burrowing that weakens pond banks and dams.

When to call a pro

Muskrats at a glance

Scientific name
Ondatra zibethicus
Size
16 to 25 inches including tail (40–63 cm)
Appearance
Dark brown, rat-like, flattened scaly tail
Where found
Ponds, lakes, canals, drainage ditches
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageModerate
  • Do it yourself?DIY or pro
When muskrats 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

  • Burrow holes in pond banks below the waterline
  • Collapsed shorelines
  • Cattail lodges

Call a professional when

  • Burrows weakening dams or levees
  • Trapping outside of legal season
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Riprap or wire mesh on pond banks
  • Keep water levels steady where possible

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

Keep muskrats out

  1. Riprap or wire mesh on pond banks
  2. Keep water levels steady where possible

Often confused or found together

All wildlife
Beavers Felled trees and flooded land: tree guards, flow devices and permits. Rats Norway and roof rats: bigger, warier and more destructive than mice. Snakes Why snakes visit, which are venomous and how to make a yard less inviting.
Photo credits

Thank you to Charles J. Sharp for sharing this beautiful photograph and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0