You’ve been trying to keep the beavers away from your property, but they just won’t leave.
Beavers are outdoor pests that can cause a lot of damage to your property. They can build dams across streams, gnaw through tree trunks, and even damage gardens.
While you can call a professional to remove beavers, there are some natural methods to get rid of them that you may be able to try first.
Identification
The easiest way to identify beavers is by their dam. If you see a large pile of branches, sticks, rocks, and mud that’s been placed deliberately in a stream or river, you’re most likely looking at a beaver dam.
The rodents have webbed hind feet and a wide, flat tail that they use to help them swim. They also have a thick coat of fur that ranges in color from yellowish-brown to near black [1].
How to Get Rid of Beavers Naturally
If you’re having problems with beavers in your area, it’s important to know how to control them without killing them. Below are a few natural ways to do just that.
1. Install a Fence
Installing a fence is a great way to prevent beavers from entering your property.
Fences should be made of tough material, such as galvanized or welded wire (not wood), and should be tall enough so that the beavers can’t climb over them.
You could also opt for an electric fence. This type of fencing works by emitting an electric shock when touched, which will deter any curious beavers from entering the space.
It could save you time and energy in the long run by keeping the critters away permanently.
2. Dismantle Their Dams and Dens
Another way to discourage beavers is to dismantle their dams and lodges.
This can be as simple as removing sticks and branches from the area and calling a professional to do the rest. You need someone experienced to remove the structures that have been built.
You might also have to get a state permit before interfering with the dams.
3. Eliminate Food Supply
Eliminate their food supply by trimming back any plants and trees near their habitat, as well as removing any bodies of water where they might find food.
You can also set up motion-activated sprinklers near the water that will scare away the beavers, although this may not work if they become accustomed to them.
Beavers also rely on aquatic vegetation for food, so try to keep it at bay by regularly removing any weeds or debris from nearby bodies of water. You can also create a simple fence around the area to make it difficult for them to access the vegetation.
4. Wrap Trees
Wrapping trees is a low-maintenance way to beaver-proof them. You’ll need to wrap the trunk of any tree that is at risk of being chewed on with wire mesh or hardware cloth.
You can use wire ties, a zip tie, or strong twine to securely attach the mesh or cloth to the tree.
Be sure to inspect the trees regularly for signs of chewing, as well as for any gaps in the mesh or cloth that beavers might be able to exploit.
5. Secure Water Sources
Beavers love to build dams in areas with plenty of water, so by limiting their access to water, you can stop them from building dams and thus reduce their population.
Start by cutting back vegetation near lakes, rivers, and ponds. You can also add mesh wire fences around the edges of smaller ponds and streams to prevent beavers from getting inside.
You can also set traps or place repellents along water edges, as well as destroy building materials that can make lodges and dams.
6. Garlic
Garlic has natural properties that beavers don’t find very pleasant.
You can try sprinkling crushed garlic around the area these pests are damaging. They won’t like the smell, and it may encourage them to move away.
7. Predator Urine
Getting rid of beavers with predator urine is not only natural, but it’s also one of the most effective methods.
Predator urine, such as coyote or fox urine, is a natural deterrent for beavers. Beavers are scared of predators, so the smell of the urine will scare them away.
You can buy products containing the urine of these predators from hunting stores or online. One thing to note when using this method is that you need to reapply it regularly, as it won’t last forever.
The best way to use it is to sprinkle it around the affected area or to soak pieces of cloth in it and place them in areas where beavers have been seen.
8. Hot Pepper
Hot pepper is a great—and natural—option to repel beavers. Simply mix one cup of red chili pepper sauce or ground chili pepper with two gallons of water.
Spray this homemade beaver repellent spray over tree trunks and around the vegetation beavers are eating, and they will likely stay away. But don’t forget to reapply it every couple of days until the pests have moved on or given up on your garden.
9. Peppermint Oil
The strong smell of peppermint oil will repel beavers. You can purchase this oil from most health stores either as an essential oil or as a pre-mixed spray solution.
Make your own DIY solution using peppermint oil and water, and spray the area where the beavers are causing a problem.
10-15 drops for every cup of water is a potent recipe. The aroma should help deter the critters and encourage them to move on.
10. Humane Live Trap
When it comes to humanely removing beavers, one of the best techniques is to use a trap.
This is a box-like structure that you can place where there is beaver activity and bait with twigs, branches, and/or beaver castor. When the rodent enters the trap, it is unable to get out until you capture it.
Once captured, you can then relocate it somewhere else—away from your property and waterways.
11. Sand and Paint
Protect trees in your backyard by painting their bases with a mixture of equal parts latex paint and coarse sand. Beavers may be discouraged by the abrasive nature of the mixture.
12. Beaver-Resistant Plants
Conifers such as pine and hemlock are strongly disliked by beavers. Therefore, surround your property with these trees to deter beavers.
Also, placing extracts from these trees around vulnerable areas of your yard may act as a natural shield against the beavers’ destructive tendencies.
13. Bonide Repels-All Animal Repellent
This product uses a unique mixture of ingredients to create an effective combination that beavers and other animals hate.
Repels All Animal Repellent does not harm animals. It just drives them away from the area being treated.
For instructions on how to use it, refer to the label.
See also: 17 Natural Ways to Keep Groundhogs Away.
Takeaway
Beaver populations can cause a lot of damage, but do not try to poison or kill them. As you can see, there are many ways to keep them away without hurting them. Go ahead and try one of these methods!
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