Beavers
Beavers are a large, semi-aquatic rodent native to most of North America. In Illinois, they can be found near any major river or water source. They weigh anywhere from 10-80+ pounds, and can live up to 15 years in the wild.
Beavers that live along rivers primarily build dens in the bank. Beavers that live in ponds will often contruct the iconic dams and lodge to live in.
Beaver sign includes trees stripped of bark, fallen trees, stumps, and debris packed into culverts or other sources of water flow. Beavers constantly chew on trees in order to wear down their teeth. If this does not take place, the beaver’s teeth will grow outside their mouth and they will starve.
Because of this behavior, beavers cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to timber each year. If you suspect you have beavers, do not wait! Give us a call to remedy the problem.
Beaver/human conflicts have been increasing in recent years due to human encroachment on wildlife habitats and a growing and expanding beaver population. Because beavers have the ability to build dams to impound water, they can dramatically alter the environment in which they live. The problems beavers can cause fall into two main categories, tree cutting and flooding. In some cases, beaver activity can threaten property, agricultural crops, or public health and safety.
Beaver dams also may negatively affect other natural resources. For example, dams can serve as barriers to migrating fish and cause inundation and siltation of rare plant and animal habitats.
There are also instances when landowners are unwilling to tolerate any beaver activity on or near their property. Unfortunately, there are no known repellents that are effective against beavers and harassment generally does not cause beavers to abandon a site. In rare instances, such as when a young beaver has not established a territory, continual removal of dam material may persuade it to abandon the site.