It may be illegal to trap beavers outside of their trapping season, if your state has one (typically November or December through March or April). Some states regulate whether traps can be lethal or nonlethal, especially if beaver populations are low.
Suitcase-style traps are more expensive and heavier than cage-style traps, making them less convenient to use. Suitcase traps have a spring in the center that triggers 2 jaws with wire mesh to snap together and envelop the beaver. This makes the risk for injury higher.
Dams built from mud, sticks, stones, and vegetation that span narrow waterways (beavers build dams to raise water levels around their lodge). Muddy foraging trails that the beavers use to travel between bodies of water or to enter and exit their lodge. Beaver footprints (the back feet are larger than the front and have webbed toes). Scent mounds (small piles of mud marked with urine or anal glands that may smell slightly like vanilla). Beaver droppings (these are hard to find since beavers usually excrete in the water).
Dams built from mud, sticks, stones, and vegetation that span narrow waterways (beavers build dams to raise water levels around their lodge). Muddy foraging trails that the beavers use to travel between bodies of water or to enter and exit their lodge. Beaver footprints (the back feet are larger than the front and have webbed toes). Scent mounds (small piles of mud marked with urine or anal glands that may smell slightly like vanilla). Beaver droppings (these are hard to find since beavers usually excrete in the water).
Set traps anywhere beavers eat or roam, too. They’re less successful than traps set on paths, but worth a shot if you have lots of animals to relocate. Check your state regulations again. Some states require traps to be set a minimum distance away from a beaver lodge or dam. Beavers are habitual animals and like to use the same entrances, exits, and paths over and over again.
Position the bait so the beaver’s whole body and tail will be inside the trap when it engages the trigger. Wear gloves when you place the bait so your scent doesn’t deter the beaver from entering the trap. Other popular beaver bait includes apples, peanut butter, or other branches and sticks covered in poplar oil.
At dawn, go back to your trap to look for beavers (and to close it before diurnal animals wander inside of it). Check the trap once every 24 hours to prevent the beaver from suffering. In some states, it’s illegal to neglect the trap for longer than this. [7] X Research source Beavers aren’t usually wary of traps unless they’ve been caught in one before.
If you’re relocating multiple beavers, release them in the same area so families and social groups can stay together. Ask a friend to help you maneuver the trap if needed. They can be heavy and hard to lift alone, especially with a beaver inside. Contact your Department of Natural Resources if the beaver appears injured or rabid in the trap. It may not be fit to move according to state regulations.
It may take several days to tear down the dam with a shovel or rake, so come back every day until it’s completely leveled. Alternatively, rent and use a backhoe to tear the dam down in one session (if the machinery can safely reach the dam in the water). Tap around the dam and lodge with your shovel to make sure there are no beavers inside before you begin tearing them down. Some people say that blasting the dam with explosives is the best way to demolish it, but the safety and legal concerns make this a tricky option.
Choose fencing with mesh openings that are 2-4 in (5. 1-10. 2 cm) wide. The fencing should be at least 3 ft (0. 91 m) high. Encircle the entire trunk and leave at least 6 in (15 cm) between the tree and the cage so the tree has room to grow. If needed, anchor the cages to the ground with stakes to keep beavers from pushing them down. Tree cages can last for many years. When beavers can’t eat or use trees for construction, they’re likely to move on to a new area.
For large areas, consider hiring a professional to install electric fencing. This requires some maintenance since you have to monitor the electricity supply. If you get electric fencing, regularly check for and remove fallen branches on the fence (they could catch fire).
Skip the paint on newly planted trees that are less than 6 ft (1. 8 m) high. If you’re picky about colors, ask a paint store to match a latex paint to the color of your tree bark. The latex allows the tree to breathe enough to stay healthy while the sandy texture discourages beavers from chomping down.
Choose corrugated, single wall ABS pipes that are flexible enough to maneuver around underwater obstructions. Place the ends of the pipe as far away from the dam as you can. When beavers feel running water, their instinct to patch up the hole kicks in. This method will also prevent flooding caused by the dam if that’s an issue.
