When I was a little girl, my grandmother frequently used the expression “busy as a beaver” to describe the way I would spend endless hours weeding and pruning in her garden. I never fully understood what that meant until many years later when I had the opportunity to watch beavers work diligently and tirelessly to construct a lodge along the edge of the stream running through our property.
But what I didn’t know at the time was that those cute, industrious little critters can also cause plenty of destruction; the dams beavers build can actually lead to flooding, and they also enjoy snacking on many types of crops. If you see signs of beaver activity, repelling them quickly is often necessary to prevent serious property damage.
More Beaver Facts
Here’s a list of additional beaver facts you might not know:
- Beavers are the largest rodents in North America.
- A beaver’s flat tail helps it sit up on land and serves as a rudder on water.
- Beavers can swim underwater for up to 15 minutes.
- Beavers live cooperatively in colonies, and they are true “team players!”
- A beaver lodge is an engineering marvel – it even has a sturdy floor built above the water line to prevent flooding.
- A beaver’s protruding front teeth grow continuously to guard against the wear and tear caused by gnawing.
- Beavers slap their tail on the water to alert others of the possible presence of predators.
Beavers Were Attacking My Fruit Trees
I wasn’t particularly concerned last fall when I spotted beavers building a dam in the little stream that runs through our property. As a longtime gardener, I’ve waged many battles with pests such as rabbits, squirrels, and deer, but never with beavers. But when I noticed the gnaw marks on my fruit trees – not to mention all the half-eaten fruit lying nearby – I knew something was up. I did an online search to learn the facts about beavers and discovered that they love fruit. When I finally put two and two together, I knew it was time for Havahart®!
Critter Ridder®to the Rescue
I had previously used Critter Ridder® from Havahart® to successfully get rid of the squirrels that were raiding my garden and massacring my tomato plants. I like the fact that Critter Ridder® is a powerful scent and taste deterrent that repels animals without harming them. I also appreciate that it is so easy to use – I simply applied the ready-to-use spray formula directly on my fruit trees and used the granular version to form a protective perimeter around my small orchard. It wasn’t long before the damage to my precious fruit trees was a thing of the past. I only have to re-apply Critter Ridder® every 30 days or so to keep the beavers from coming back.
Use These Beaver Facts to Keep These Nuisance Critters Away Once and for All!
When it comes to controlling beavers, facts can be your best weapon – along with an effective and humane animal repellent such as Critter® Ridder from Havahart®!
Photo: Blair Haggerty on Flickr
