Beavers are second only to humans
in their ability to alter the landscape. They require relatively
deep water to carry out their daily activities, and will build
dams if water levels are low. Conflicts between beavers and humans
usually arise when dam building results in tree damage and flooding
of property. However, killing or removing beavers from an area
is often only a temporary solution. Removing problem beavers will
just leave vacant territory for new beavers. In addition, traps
commonly used to drown beavers are extremely inhumane. These animals
can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes, and being deprived
of oxygen is extremely painful for them. The key is to come up
with a long-term solution that allows the beavers to remain where
they are.
Humane Solutions for Flooding:
Install Water Flow Devices. Flow
devices vary in cost and complexity, but they all serve the same
purpose — to prevent flooding while allowing beavers to remain
in the area and carry out normal activities. In certain circumstances,
flow devices may encourage beavers to leave on their own. This
result is much preferred over trapping and relocating, which often
leaves the animals in unsuitable habitat or simply makes them someone
else’s problem.
Please note that flow devices
require some maintenance, and should be checked periodically for
optimal performance.
Humane Solutions for Tree Damage:
Beavers are mostly interested
in trees that are within 100 feet of the shore (the heaviest use
occurs within about 20 feet), so refraining from planting ornamental
trees along a shoreline will certainly reduce the occurrence of
tree damage.
- Felled Trees: Leave trees down that are
already down, or move them closer to the stream bank.
- Cylindrical cages: This method is excellent
for saving expensive trees. Make cages of hardware cloth or
2 x 4" welded wire fencing, about four feet high. Encircle
the trunk, leaving about six inches of space between the tree
and the fence. Cut every other horizontal wire and bend into
hooks to connect with the other side. Cages can be anchored
to the ground with stakes. Wrapping a tree too tightly will
interfere with its ability to grow.
- Paint with sand: This is a relatively
new method that discourages beavers from gnawing. It entails
coating tree trunks with a sand/paint mixture. Add 8 ounces
of fine sand (30 mil, 70 mil, or mason sand) to one quart
of exterior latex paint. Stir often and paint the bottom four
feet of the trunk. The paint can even be color-coded to match
the trees. Avoid painting young trees less than six feet tall.
- Cayenne Pepper: Vegetable or mineral
oil infused with cayenne pepper and then painted on the tree
trunks has been reported as an effective means of preventing
beaver chewing.
- Low fences: Low fences can be used to
protect groups of trees. Since beavers do not like being separated
from water, it is unnecessary to enclose an entire stand of
trees. Simply stake the fence tightly against the ground and
trail each end toward the water. An L-shaped bend in the bottom
of the fence will discourage burrowing. It may be necessary
to monitor the fence for a while after it’s installed.
- Repellent on Young Trees: A year-long
trial to protect hundreds of restoration trees with a combination
of "4 the Birds," or "Birds Away," and sand was completely
successful, according to biologist and beaver consultant Mary
Tappel. The sticky substances were applied discontinuously
about four feet up the trunks of the saplings and then sand
was added. This method is not suitable for older trees, where
trunk-climbing birds might be harmed.
