Beaver Dams: Benefits and Risks for Landowners and Communities

Beaver dams, wondrous natural structures often found in our local waterways, have long sparked a debate among landowners, environmentalists, and communities at large. They are impressive feats of animal engineering, boasting an array of ecological benefits, such as water purification and habitat creation. However, these structures are not without their challenges. Beaver damage can result in flooded properties, compromised roadways, and potential health risks due to stagnant water.

This blog post aims to delve deeper into the benefits and risks associated with beaver dams, while exploring some practical and humane beaver control measures that can strike a balance between encouraging these intriguing creatures and safeguarding our properties and communities. Let’s plunge in!

Call 615-610-0962 For Beaver Removal and Control in Nashville Tennessee
Call 615-610-0962 For Beaver Removal and Control in Nashville Tennessee

Why Beaver Dams are Important for the Eco-System

Beavers, renowned for their woodworking skills and tree-chewing abilities, are often considered a nuisance by landowners. However, the truth is that beavers play a vital role in our ecosystem. These industrious creatures build dams to create ponds – an ideal habitat for themselves and other species. Here’s how they benefit the environment:

Water purification: Beaver dams slow down water flow, allowing sediment to settle at the bottom and reducing pollutants in the water.

Flood control: These dams act as natural buffers against floods by storing excess water during heavy rainfall and gradually releasing it downstream.

Habitat creation: The ponds created by beaver dams provide a haven for a diverse range of species, such as fish, birds, amphibians, and insects.

Carbon storage: The creation of wetland habitats by beaver dams helps in trapping carbon from the atmosphere, mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The Risks Posed by Beaver Dams

Although beaver dams offer numerous ecological benefits, they can also bring about challenges for landowners and communities. Some common concerns are:

Flooded properties: When beaver dams block streams or culverts, they can cause flooding on adjacent properties.

Damage to infrastructure: The gnawing activities of beavers can damage trees, crops, and irrigation systems. Dams can also obstruct roadways and culverts, leading to costly repairs.

Health hazards: Stagnant water, often found in beaver ponds, can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects.

Safety risks: Beaver dams can create unexpected changes in water levels and currents, posing a threat to recreational activities such as swimming and boating.

Finding a Balance: Practical Solutions for Beaver Control

It’s clear that beaver dams have both benefits and risks. So, what can landowners and communities do to strike a balance? Here are some humane, practical measures for beaver control:

Beaver deceivers: These devices mimic the sound of running water, deterring beavers from building dams in undesired areas.

Flow devices: Similar to beaver deceivers, these devices regulate water flow and prevent dam building.

Fencing: Installing fencing around valuable trees, crops, or infrastructure can protect them from beaver damage.

Tree wrapping: Wrapping tree trunks with wire mesh can discourage beavers from gnawing on them.

Relocation: As a last resort, when other methods are not effective, relocating beavers to a more suitable habitat can be considered. A professional wildlife control company can help you with this.

In Summary

Beaver dams, despite the risks they may pose, have undeniable ecological benefits. It’s crucial for people to understand the importance of these structures and work towards finding solutions that allow us to coexist with beavers while minimizing potential negative impacts. By implementing practical and humane beaver control measures, we can strike a balance between preserving our properties and supporting the vital role beavers play in our ecosystem. So, let’s appreciate these fascinating creatures and their impressive engineering skills while finding ways to peacefully coexist with them. After all, they are an essential part of our natural world and deserve our respect.  Keep calm and beaver on!

Would you like professional assistance with the removal and control of nuisance beavers around your property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for TWRA licensed beaver removal and control in Nashville, Tennessee, and surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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10 Reasons Why Professional Beaver Control is Necessary for Homeowners
The Ecological Importance of Beavers
Should I Be Worried About Beavers on My Property?

10 Reasons Why Professional Beaver Control is Necessary for Homeowners

Beaver control is an important part of maintaining a healthy and safe environment, both for humans and wildlife. Beaver populations are naturally expanding in many parts of the world, but when they become too populous or start to interfere with human activities, beaver control becomes necessary. Professional beaver trappers can help homeowners manage nuisance beavers that may threaten their property or cause other problems.

Below, you will find the top 10 reasons why professional beaver control is necessary for homeowners.

Call 615-610-0962 For Beaver Control in Nashville Tennessee.
Call 615-610-0962 For Beaver Control in Nashville Tennessee.

Why You Should Hire a Professional For Beaver Removal and Control

1. Beaver populations can quickly become overabundant if not managed properly, resulting in destruction of property and disruption of ecosystems. Professional beaver control experts know how to identify potential problems and take steps to prevent damage or minimize its effects.

2. Beaver dams can cause flooding, which can lead to structural damage to homes and other buildings, as well as the growth of harmful bacteria and other contaminants. Beaver trappers can help remove beaver dams and restore water flow to its natural course.

3. Beaver control can prevent beavers from eating crops and destroying gardens, which can cause significant losses for homeowners who depend on these for food or income. Professional beaver trappers are adept at identifying and mitigating these risks.

4. Beaver damage can compromise the integrity of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure by weakening their foundations or causing dangerous potholes. Beaver trappers are trained to quickly identify and remove beavers near areas of high traffic.

5. Beaver control can reduce contamination in water sources caused by beaver dams, which can be dangerous for humans and wildlife alike. Beaver trappers can help remove these dams and restore clean water access in affected areas.

6. Beaver control is necessary to protect livestock, as beavers can attack or damage animals such as cows and sheep if they come into contact with them. Professional beaver trappers know how to safely remove beavers from areas with livestock without causing further damage or disruption.

7. Beaver control can also help protect wild animals and their habitats, as beavers may displace native species or interfere with natural ecosystems by building dams and changing water flow in the area. Beaver trappers are trained to identify these problems and take appropriate action to minimize their impact.

8. Beaver control is necessary to protect valuable timber and other natural resources, as beavers can quickly fell trees or chew through structural supports. Beaver trappers have experience identifying these risks and removing the beavers before they cause further damage.

9. Beaver control can help prevent the spread of disease by controlling the population of beavers and preventing them from coming into contact with people. Beaver trappers can also identify sick or injured animals and arrange for their capture and treatment if necessary.

10. Beaver control is necessary to protect public health, as beaver feces can carry diseases that can be hazardous to humans if left uncontrolled. Beaver trappers are trained to safely remove beavers from populated areas and take appropriate measures to prevent contamination.

Conclusion on the Importance of Professional Beaver Control

By engaging with a professional Nashville beaver control company, homeowners can rest assured that the nuisance beavers in their area are managed safely and effectively. Beaver trappers are knowledgeable about all aspects of beaver control and will work to ensure that any potential problems are mitigated quickly and efficiently.  By investing in professional beaver control services in Tennessee, homeowners can protect their property, crops and livestock while also preserving the area’s natural ecosystems and resources. 

Are you concerned about the nuisance beavers on or around your property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for TWRA licensed beaver removal and control in Nashville, Tennessee, and surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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The Ecological Importance of Beavers

Did you know beavers are a keystone species? This means they are important to us, like many other animals in our local wildlife populations. Continue below to learn all about the ecological importance of beavers, plus some safe and humane ways to abate nuisance beaver activity on or around your property.

Beaver Removal and Control Nashville TN 615-610-0962
Beaver Removal and Control Nashville TN 615-610-0962

What is a Keystone Species?

Although beavers are known as a nuisance, esteemed biologists classify them as a keystone species. A keystone species is one that is ecologically important to both humans and the environment. You see, beavers are notorious for construction complex dams, which make what is known as beaver ponds. These ponds create lively wetlands, which are considered to be one of the world’s most biologically productive ecosystems. Not only do they increase wildlife activity and plant growth, but they are also perfect breeding grounds for salmon and trout schools, and they naturally improve water quality.

Beaver ponds naturally improve water quality because they act as natural sponges, storing and slowly releasing water runoff. In turn, this decreases the rate of downstream flooding and erosion. As a result, plants and algae absorb the nutrients from the sun and process the organic waste. This essentially eliminates the runoff toxins and contaminants in the water. Overall, beaver wetland ponds lay the grounds for an entire food chain, thus supporting all sorts of wildlife and living organisms.

Beaver Dam Problems

Beaver dams may lead the pathway to new, biologically-productive ecosystems, but beavers are known as a nuisance for good reason. Beaver dams, canals, and lodges can create flooding and vegetation decline on properties, which can also cause foundation damage and similar structural issues. Also, beaver dams are well-known for killing trees. This has to do with the flooding, which waterlogs tree trunks and depletes the soil of essential nutrients.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can safely control a nuisance beaver population near your property. In fact, if you so choose, you can have the beaver population removed entirely and relocated to a safe and far away habitat. On the other hand, some properties can benefit from a controlled beaver population since they are ecologically valuable.

Fun Beaver Facts

🦫 Adult beavers can weigh as much as 70 pounds!
🦫 Beaver houses are called lodges, and they can be quite complex!
🦫 Beavers mate for life, keeping the same partner until death do them part.
🦫 Beavers maintain a highly-organized social structure.
🦫 Beavers slap their tails on the water to warn other beavers in their clan.
🦫 Beavers are mostly nocturnal, so they are active from dusk until dawn.
🦫 Beavers build mud puddles saturated with urine to mark their territory.

Are there nuisance beavers causing trouble on your property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for TWRA licensed beaver removal in Nashville, Tennessee. We serve residential and commercial clients all throughout Middle Tennessee and its surrounding counties.

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Should I Be Worried About Beavers on My Property?

Beavers are extraordinarily gifted aquatic mammals, making it no surprise that they are often considered a nuisance critter to both residential and commercial property owners. Here in Tennessee, beaver populations are abundant, so it is wise that you are inquiring on the potential downfalls of having beavers on your property.

Whether you are perusing potential land to develop or have recently moved into a new house with beavers nearby, continue below to learn what you need to know about beaver control and removal in Nashville.

Beaver Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962
Beavers Like to Chew and Gnaw on Tree Trunks!

Facts About the American Beaver

Here Nashville Tennessee, the native and local beaver species is the American beaver, scientifically known as Castor canadensis. Beavers are categorized as the largest rodent in North America and the second largest rodent in the entire world, falling just under the capybara. They are nocturnal semi-aquatic mammals that live near forested wetlands with abundant vegetation and flattened terrain. They will build their homes and territories around slow-moving streams, lakes, marshes, ponds, and similar environments.

Beavers mate for life, and upon choosing a partner they will continue to reproduce new offspring (babies are called kits) every April or May. This means they can be difficult to get rid of, as beaver populations continue to grow year after year. Furthermore, beavers are known to cause massive amounts of destruction and structural troubles for residential and commercial property owners. For these reasons and more, beaver populations require wildlife abatement.

Nuisance Beavers

Beavers are considered nuisance critters because they build dams known as lodges, as well as beaver ponds, canals, and similar structures that can cause flooding, creek destruction, and tree loss. In most cases, large beaver populations on a property would require a certain degree of critter control and beaver abatement modifications. This can include beaver extraction and relocation, or basic animal proofing applications.

Beaver Control Methods

Fortunately, there are many ways you can safely control a nuisance beaver population near your property. In fact, if you so choose, you can have the beaver population removed entirely and relocated to a safe and far away habitat. On the other hand, some properties can benefit from a controlled beaver population, as beavers do offer an ecological advantage to some degree.

In most cases, beavers need to be trapped and removed altogether Especially of preparing for new construction or land development. The most humane catch-and-release beaver traps on the market include conibear-style body grip traps and extra-large cage-type clam shell traps.

It is important to contact a licensed and insured Nashville wildlife control company for help getting rid of beavers in Nashville, Tennessee. They have the proper training, permits, experience, and resources to safely manage nuisance beavers within a convenient time frame.

Are you struggling to manage the nuisance beavers on your Tennessee property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for affordable beaver removal and control in Nashville, Tennessee and its surrounding counties. We provide residential and commercial animal control.

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Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee
Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962