 All About Muskrats
The muskrat is a rabbit sized aquatic rodent native to North America. They have partially webbed hind feet and small able hand-like front feet with a laterally compressed tail and a waterproof coat.
Muskrats live in wetlands and are very good swimmers, using their tail for propulsion in the water. Extensive burrow systems are dug in the ground adjacent to the water with an underwater entrance.
| | | Muskrat Control Options Havahart® recommends the following muskrat control options:
Muskrat Traps
To humanely remove muskrats from your lawn or garden, use the Havahart® live animal trap Model 1040. 
Place the trap just outside the burrow and partially in the water, taking every precaution to ensure that the muskrat will be able to breathe or that you will be there to quickly get the trapped muskrat out of the water.
Before trapping, check with your local and state wildlife agencies to assure that there are no restrictions in place. Be sure when live catching that it is not during breeding season so that young are not orphaned.
Muskrat Exclusion
Muskr ats cause the most damage to ponds and dams within them.
The most effective way to prevent such damage is to, during early-winter, draw the pond down at least two feet below normal levels. Fill the dens and burrows with heavy rock. Trap the remaining muskrats.
Should muskrats leave the water and cause damage in your garden, fencing techniques using hardware cloth should be applied. .gif) A Havahart® muskrat trap will help you with your muskrat control needs.
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