Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

The Definitive Guide to Muskrat Control and Where to Find a
Wildlife Control Professional!

Are you frustrated and tired of dealing with the Damage caused by WILDLIFE. This site deals with WILDLIFE DAMAGE and steps the "Do it yourselfer" can take to protecting your property from the damage caused by Wildlife in your area.

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Identification

The muskrat is a large, stout, semiaquatic rodent. Its head is broad and blunt with short ears barely visible beyond the fur. The muskrat's coat is practically waterproof and is soft, dense, and grayish brown in color. The underfur is covered by long, brown guard hairs which serve to protect the soft underhair from wear. Its tail is scaled, nearly hairless, and somewhat flattened on the sides. The muskrat is further adapted for its semi-aquatic life with lips that act as valves, closing behind the front incisors so it can actually gnaw underwater.

Range

The range of the muskrat extends from near the Arctic Circle in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, down to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Aleutians east to Labrador and down the Atlantic coast into Georgia.

The muskrat has been introduced practically all over the world, and, has sometimes caused severe damage as well as ecological problems. Muskrats often cause problems with ponds, levees, and crop culture, whether introduced or native. Muskrats are found in most aquatic habitats throughout the United States and Canada in streams, ponds, wetlands, swamps, drainage ditches, and lakes.

Damage Caused by Muskrats

Although muskrat feeding habits may damage agricultural or ornamental crops growing near water, the principal concern is potential damage to earthen water-retaining structures. Extensive tunneling into earthen dams may cause water leaks or the loss of stored water. Burrowing damage occurs most often in older ponds where the dike is thinner from erosion or is poorly designed.

Trees growing on the dike sometimes create problems attributed to muskrats. Tree roots die, and water follows the roots until the dike gives way.

Since it is easier to deal with a population of muskrats before they have become established, watch for signs of their presence and adopt remedial measures as soon as possible.

Landowners should watch dams closely for burrows and repair weak spots at once. It is relatively easy to fix a weak spot, but it is a big job to repair the dam after it is broken.

Control Methods

Muskrats in some situations can be excluded or prevented from digging into farm pond dams through stone rip-rapping of the dam. Serious damage often can be prevented. The best ways to modify habitat are to eliminate aquatic or other suitable foods eaten by muskrats, and where possible, to construct farm pond dams.

Gunfire will frighten muskrats, especially those that get hit, but it is not effective in scaring the animals away from occupied habitat. No conventional frightening devices are effective.

There have probably been more traps sold for catching muskrats than for catching any other furbearing species. A number of innovative traps have been constructed for both live trapping and killing muskrats, such as barrel, box, and stovepipe traps.

For best results contact a Wildlife Control Professional. For more information on Control methods and equipment, click here.