How to keep Beavers away from your property – The Southern Maryland Chronicle

If you live close to a source of water, then you have probably had an encounter with beaversat some point. These large rodents are pure bliss to watch as they go about their busy day. So often is the satisfaction they bring to observers that we often forget what they really are pests. Beavers, although cute, are highly destructive and territorial. Once they set up shop in your property, getting them to leave becomes a problem. They will chew any material they can find to build their dams and homes.

Beavers are semi-aquatic animals. They build their houses on water but since theyre also mainly vegetarians, they need to return to land now and then to feed. They use the dams they build as a sort of bridge connecting their homes to their source of food. The process of feeding and building a fort causes the destruction of structures around them as they chew and cut down trees to build their dams. The destruction that they cause is unsightly and costly to repair. It is no wonderthatno one wants them on their property. Knowing howto get rid of beaversis how you can keep your home safe. Below are some things to do to make sure that beavers stay clear of your property.

Beaversfeed off of branches, twigs, and leaves. Although they live on the water, they need to travel to land to get their food. They use excess food to fortify their homes. They will chew on trees on your property as well as any vegetation they can find. Depriving them of food by blocking any means of getting it is one way to make sure they stay away from your property. Beavers rarely travel far in search of food. If its not around, they pack up and leave.

Each year, property owners spend so much on repairs from havoc wrecked by beavers. Much of the destruction caused is used to build dams. These dams are mainly composed of tree branches, twigs, rocks, or anything they can find. Depriving them access to these raw materials will make them pack up and leave. If you have trees and other vegetation around your property that can potentially serve as raw materials, then you can protect them by wrapping them in wire gauge. The beavers will not be able to break through the barriers causing them to abandon. If you are concerned about aesthetics, you can paint the trees instead. Your local store will have something vaguely similar to the tree color that can be used. The beavers will not be able to chew on the trees because the paint repels them.

Although repellents are not very effective, they can still be used to discourage beavers from chewing on vegetation. They have to be sprayed at intervals as the beavers will resume chewing at the vegetation once the odor stops. So far there are limited repellents available that are approved by the FDA, therefore, the scope is really narrowed.

Another way to keep beavers away from your property is to install a fence. Fences will ensure that they are trapped on the other side of your property. Fences can be made from galvanized wires. Ensure to check the fenceregularly for signs of damage and mend appropriately.

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How to keep Beavers away from your property - The Southern Maryland Chronicle