Rodent Removal Atlanta

Beaver Biology

Beavers have a relatively long life
span, with individuals known to have
lived to 21 years. Most, however, do
not live beyond 10 years. The beaver is
unparalleled at dam building and can
build dams on fast-moving streams as
well as slow-moving ones. They also
build lodges and bank dens, depending
on the available habitat. All lodges
and bank dens have at least two entrances
and may have four or more.
The lodge or bank den is used primarily
for raising young, sleeping, and
food storage during severe weather
The size and species of trees the beaver
cuts is highly variable — from a 1-inch
(2.5-cm) diameter at breast height
(DBH) softwood to a 6-foot (1.8-m)
DBH hardwood. In some areas beavers
usually cut down trees up to
about 10 inches (25 cm) DBH and
merely girdle or partially cut larger
ones, although they often cut down
much larger trees. Some beavers seem
to like to girdle large pines and sweetgums.
They like the gum or storax that
seeps out of the girdled area of sweetgum
and other species.
An important factor about beavers is
their territoriality. A colony generally
consists of four to eight related beavers,
who resist additions or outsiders
to the colony or the pond. Young beavers
are commonly displaced from the
colony shortly after they become sexually
mature, at about 2 years old. They
often move to another area to begin a
new pond and colony. However, some
become solitary hermits inhabiting old
abandoned ponds or farm ponds if
available.
Beavers have only a few natural predators
aside from humans, including
coyotes, bobcats, river otters, and
mink, who prey on young kittens. In
other areas, bears, mountain lions,
wolves, and wolverines may prey on
beavers. Beavers are hosts for several
ectoparasites and internal parasites including
nematodes, trematodes, and
coccidians. Giardia lamblia is a pathogenic
intestinal parasite transmitted by
beavers, which has caused human
health problems in water supply sys-
Fig. 6. Pine plantation in Arkansas killed in flooding caused by beavers.
tems. The Centers for Disease Control
have recorded at least 41 outbreaks of
waterborne Giardiasis, affecting more
than 15,000 people. For more information
about Giardiasis, see von
Oettingen (1982).
Damage and Damage
Identification
The habitat modification by beavers,
caused primarily by dam building, is
often beneficial to fish, furbearers,
reptiles, amphibians, waterfowl, and
shorebirds. However, when this modification
comes in conflict with human
objectives, the impact of damage may
far outweigh the benefits.
Most of the damage caused by beavers
is a result of dam building, bank burrowing,
tree cutting, or flooding. Some
southeastern states where beaver damage
is extensive have estimated the
cost at $3 million to $5 million dollars
annually for timber loss; crop losses;
roads, dwellings, and flooded property;
and other damage. In some
states, tracts of bottomland hardwood
timber up to several thousand acres
(ha) in size may be lost because of beaver.
Some unusual cases observed
include state highways flooded
because of beaver ponds, reservoir
dams destroyed by bank den burrows
collapsing, and train derailments
caused by continued flooding and burrowing.
Housing developments have
been threatened by beaver dam flooding,
and thousands of acres (ha) of
cropland and young pine plantations
have been flooded by beaver dams
(Fig. 6). Road ditches, drain pipes, and
culverts have been stopped up so
badly that they had to be dynamited
out and replaced. Some bridges have
been destroyed because of beaver
dam-building activity. In addition,
beavers threaten human health by
contaminating water supplies with
Giardia.
Identifying beaver damage generally is
not difficult. Signs include dams;
dammed-up culverts, bridges, or drain
pipes resulting in flooded lands, timber,
roads, and crops; cut-down or
girdled trees and crops; lodges and
burrows in ponds, reservoir levees,
and dams. In large watersheds, it may
be difficult to locate bank dens. However,
the limbs, cuttings, and debris
around such areas as well as dams
along tributariest or images here.

Atlanta, Georgia beaver removal & beaver control.

Chad removing beaver from Buford, GA lake.

Identification

Beaver are found throughout North America, from Alaska to Georgia, and part of Florida. They are the largest of the North American rodents. Adult beavers weigh 35 - 50lbs. Some occasionally reach 100lbs! Beaver are built for an aquatic life. They have valvular ears, eyes and lips that seal out water. These valves allow beaver to stay submerged for long periods of time. Beaver have webbed hind feet that help it maneuver in water.

Beaver's dense, coarse fur is yellowish-brown to black in color. Beaver are equipped with large teeth, which give them the ability to have the diet of tree bark. The most prominent identifier is the flat, scaly, and hairless tail which the beaver uses as a rudder in the water and on land, as a prop while sitting upright to feed on bark.

How, when and why they become a nuisance pest.

Beaver can become a nuisance wherever there is a suitable aquatic habitat. Their year-round dam building and tree chewing are the two primary activities that cause problems. Beaver dams can flood out crop fields, wash out bridges and roads, and flood homes. Estimates of beaver damage in the United States are $3 to $5 million annually.

Damage they cause.

Identifying beaver damage is not difficult. Beaver dams, dammed-up creeks, culverts, bridges and drains are a few signs of the presence of beaver. Also, their tree chewing habit is a problem for expensive landscapes. Beaver will cut down ornamental trees and shrubs as well as, fruit trees and other valuable landscape.

A tree stripped of its bark from the ground to about 3ft. up is an obvious sign of beaver activity. Beaver can also damage banks and levees by burrowing a den or lodge. Dens can usually be pinpointed by the presence of limbs, cuttings, and other debris around holes that are slightly submerged in water.

Atlanta, Georgia beaver removal & beaver control.

Beaver exclusion is not usually practical due to the expense. Simple habitat modifications can be done to protect certain areas. Hardware cloth can be wrapped around trees to protect them. Wrapping trees can also stop the supply of wood needed to build beaver dams. Sometimes harassing the beaver by destroying the beaver dams and dens over and over again is enough to make the beaver relocate on their own (be aware this might need to be done daily, beaver can rebuild a dam overnight).

If harassment and habitat modifications do not work trapping and removal is the only option left. There are a number of different traps that can be used to effectively remove beaver. Trapping greater Atlanta beaver requires a good working knowledge of beaver habit and habitat and should only be done by a professional beaver controller, or trapper. Attempting to trap beaver without the proper skills can be dangerous and leave "trap educated beaver".

Rated 5 Stars!!!!

Chad Artimovich

Humane Beaver Removal and Control

Georgia Beaver Removal - how to get rid of Beavers from lakes, ponds, and streams.

Beaver Facts

Atlanta, Georgia beaver removal & beaver control.

How, when and why they become a nuisance pest.

Damage they cause.

Atlanta, Georgia beaver removal & beaver control.

Beaver Trapping, Removal, and Control, provided by Atlanta Wildife Solutions, LLC.

Licensed by the Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division

© Atlanta Wildlife Solutions, LLC. 2010. All Rights Reserved.