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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Which Animals Live in the Smoky Mountains?
What is Tunneling and Digging Under My Lawn?

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