It’s not every day you see a beaver in the Triangle area. Because of that, people are often more fascinated than annoyed when they see one. The giant buck teeth, wide flat tail, and webbed feet all make us stare. The fact that they are the largest North American rodent by far, sometimes reaching 80 pounds, just makes them that much more interesting.

Despite all that, you may be amazed at the level of damage a single beaver is able to inflict. One beaver can fell 200 trees per year, flood an entire valley, build giant dams and lodges and otherwise cause havoc. It’s very important to catch this process early, or you may have extensive property damage to contend with. If you do not have any sources of water on your property (pond, lake, creek, etc.) you may be in luck since you will not be as attractive to them.

They are nocturnal, so you will not likely catch them in the daylight, but here are a few signs beavers may be taking up residence on your land:

1. Tracks – Every animal that walks the earth has a unique imprint it leaves behind. The beaver’s is fairly easy to pinpoint because of their webbed hind feet. These don’t always show clearly, but they are enough larger than their front feet that you should be able to pick out their tracks near a body of water on your property if they’re present.
2. Slides – While you are looking around for tracks, also take note of wide, muddy “slides.” Beavers can be lazy and like to just slide downhill in well-worn grooves back towards the water. This is another way they damage your land and another way you can see evidence of them.
3. Downed trees – This one is obvious and a sign you need to move quickly. Falling trees can be a danger to your children, your pets, and your home. Once a beaver begins knocking down trees on your land, it’s a sign they may be claiming it. They knock down trees to access the smaller branches, which are a major food source for them. They also need the friction to whittle down their constantly growing teeth.  
4. Mud pillars – Beavers are territorial and mark “their” territory by erecting large mud piles. These pillars of mud are a sign to other beavers that this area is taken. The beaver will cover it in castoreum, a smelly oil with their scent on it.
5. Flooding – Have you noticed a small creek has recently expanded on your land? Check for blockages that look like the work of a beaver. They flood an area to keep predators away and to irrigate land around their homes for plants to grow. They eat some other plants, like clover, ferns, and grasses that need to be watered. Once a beaver’s activity has reached this level, it is passed time to call in the experts.

Critter Control of the Triangle knows beavers

Of all the pests we see in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas, beavers are among the most damaging. The threat of a tree falling on your home or of major flooding to the property is enough to remove these critters immediately!

Call us at (919) 382-0651 immediately, and we’ll remove the beavers before they do any major damage.