Peaceful Coexistence with Beavers

Leave It To The Beavers: Tips for a Peaceful Coexistence with Beavers

By Kim Willis

Historical Context

Only a couple of hundred years ago, as many as 400 million beavers populated this country. Native American Indians referred to them as "little Indians", spiritual creatures to be treated with reverence and respect. Then came the white trappers, who called the beaver "living gold", and trapped them to the brink of extinction for their luxurious pelts. In recent history, as the price of the pelts has fallen, the beaver population has begun to recover. However, beavers are once again being heavily trapped, this time because their dam-building activities are viewed as a nuisance.

Understanding Beaver Behavior

Beavers are one of the very few species other than humans that substantially alters its environment for its benefit. When a family of beavers moves into a new habitat, the general area often undergoes radical changes. If there is not already a pond there, the beavers build dams, because the pooling of water keeps them safe from most predators. The beavers then build a lodge with an underwater entrance. They may also build other, upstream dams, complete with channels for floating tree limbs into the main pond.

Seasonal Activities

In order to build their dams and lodges, beavers need to cut down lots of trees. In the spring, the beavers will cut down trees for food (they eat the bark), and for repairing any leaks in the dams. They cut few trees in the summer, when they prefer to feed more on fresh grasses, tubers, and saplings. Autumn, however, is a period of intensive logging for beavers. During the fall months, they cut down trees, trim the limbs into manageable pieces, float them to the main pond, and store them in underwater food caches for the winter.

Problems with Lethal Trapping

Cost and Effectiveness

Lethal trapping is expensive, and has been proven to provide only temporary relief. Trappers typically charge $50 for every beaver they kill. That's a lot of money when you consider that five to twelve beavers may reside in the same lodge, and you have to kill them all to stop the dam building. It's even more expensive when you consider the fact that beavers move back into an area within a year after the previous beaver population is killed.

Safety Concerns

Many humans, their pets, and non-target wildlife have sustained serious injuries caused by Conibear traps--the type of traps used to kill beavers in North Carolina. In fact, the first animals to be killed in beaver traps are not beavers--they're otters. Other river animals, including muskrats, raccoons, and wading birds, are routinely killed in beaver traps.

Alternative Solutions

Tree Protection Methods

1. Protect individual trees by wrapping them with heavy wire fencing 2" x 4" in size and 3 feet high

2. Use taste repellents like deer repellents or cayenne pepper mixed with water

3. Plant beavers' favorite trees next to the water to redirect their attention

Flood Prevention

1. Install "beaver bafflers" - wire cage-like devices for culverts and drain pipes

2. Use "beaver limiters" - PVC pipe devices placed through dams to control water levels

3. Case study: Gatineau Park successfully reduced flooding by 75% using these methods while allowing beaver population to stabilize

Relocation and Population Management

The NC Wildlife Commission prohibits simple relocation of beavers. However, some programs in Colorado, Idaho, and Massachusetts use contraceptive implants ($12/beaver) or sterilization ($35/beaver) combined with strategic relocation. This approach helps maintain stable beaver populations while minimizing property damage.

Conclusion

Learning to coexist with beavers requires understanding and adaptation rather than elimination. As one grandfather wisely noted, "I don't think it ever occurred to him that it wasn't their pond, too." This attitude exemplifies the balanced approach needed for successful beaver management.