Pest removers can the knowledge and the tools to catch the animal quickly and safely. Muskrats will typically run away or disappear under the water’s surface if approached by humans, but if you corner them they will, understandably, attempt to bite and scratch. They’re also a common source of leaks in reservoirs and other man-made water retaining structures. Both underground burrows and vegetation domes will have underwater entrances. This method is better for natural bodies of water, such as lakes, as most predators will happily take pond fish (koi and goldfish) in garden ponds. Since muskrats need to burrow, one method to deter them is to place a plastic or mesh liner in your pond or along the banks of the lake. They are easy to trap and skin, though be sure to do so only during the trapping season. The best taste and scent repellents for muskrats include, garlic pepper, cayenne pepper, coyote urine and fox urine. They’re an important food source for many animals, from coyotes, foxes, and wolves to lynxes, bears, snakes, eagles, otters, large turtles, and humans, so populations are generally kept in check quite easily. Other Sets: Culvert sets, polo sets, and under ice sets may also be used to trap muskrats. As might be expected, their preferred habitat is wetland areas. If you have a garden, the nocturnal muskrat might wander in and browse on some of your flowers and vegetables. Suggested for: Small ponds & water gardens. Their old dens provide shelter for snakes, turtles, and frogs, and birds can rest atop them. Their diet is a vegetation composed of cattails, water lilies, sedges, and pond weeds, then you may want to get rid of these with a pond clean out. In decorative or urban fish ponds and lakes, however, muskrats can create some issues. However, in certain areas, foothold traps may not be okay to use. It is hairless and scaly-looking. This can cause the dam to collapse or flood certain places that are not supposed to be receiving water. There living arrangements and their eating habits is what make them such a nuisance. This is a really big problem for people who grow show gardens or relying on their gardens for food. Muskrats typically build dens of either underground burrows or vegetation domes in farm ponds, streams, ditches and lakes with stable water levels and abundant aquatic vegetation. Most netting of this type comes in a black color, which means once it’s on the surface of the water, it’s almost invisible and should not deter from the ponds overall aesthetic. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, they’re a fairly pervasive species, so don’t be surprised if you still see one or two around from time to time. A highly effective solution is a motion-activated sprinkler, which frightens muskrats with bursts of water. (Nesting Behaviour), Are Muskrats Good or Bad for Ponds & Lakes? If there are muskrats in a marsh or pond and a trapper puts out a few sets, success is almost inevitable, and fast. Pick your trap: you have three different choices: a leg trap, body trap, or live cage. How to Get Rid of Muskrats - Muskrats are semi-aquatic rodents. Trails hollowed out by muskrats swimming in and out of their den entrances are sometimes visible from above, especially along well-used travel routes. It has the capacity to make multiple catches, sometimes three to four at a time. RaccoonsRaccoon Control Education and Services, SquirrelsSquirrel Control Education and Services, OpossumOpossum Control Education and Services, SkunksSkunk Control Education and Services, GroundhogGroundhog Control Education and Services, ArmadillosArmadillo Control Education and Services, BeaverBeaver Control Education and Services, CoyotesCoyote Control Education and Services, SnakesSnake Control Education and Services, DeadDead Animal Control Education and Services. In other words, they are bigger than voles and nutria, but smaller than beavers. So, what do muskrats look like exactly? When burrowing to nest, they often damage shorelines or manmade structures along the shore like dikes or dams. Conibear traps No. If these structures are near gardens or farms, the muskrats will also go after the flowers and vegetables. If there are any existing burrows, you can fill them in with gravel or cover them with wire mesh (first making sure that the muskrat isn’t currently in the burrow, of course). It can be made easily at home using stovepipes. Muskrats live near water banks and dig deep burrows which can really cause a dangerous situation for the muskrat and the people that go to the water. The foothold trap is most effective when placed at the entrance of their underwater den. Fortunately, effective control solutions are available that allow you to drive these pests away. You can try some chemicals or the old fashion way by hand. However, the most effective and practical method of removing problem animals is trapping. Poisoning muskrats is an effective way of getting rid of the population. You can use vegetables or wet grass as bait and place it on the ground in your yard. You will have to reapply this at least once a week, and after every rain shower. And keep an eye out for them at dawn or dusk when they're most active. They weigh about 3 pounds, have bead-like eyes, and their ears are nearly concealed in dense fur. This way is not the cheapest way of solving your muskrat problem, but it is worth it to not have to mess with the hassle of getting rid of them. Muskrats depend on plants growing in the water for the majority of their food, so removing cattails and other plants can make the pond less attractive to muskrats. For shelter, muskrats will either dig tunnels or construct lodges, depending on the immediate habitat. Muskrats may also carry parasites and bacteria that could be transferred to other lake or pond inhabitants, or visiting terrestrial animals that drink the water. This is the sure way to get rid of the animals they will seek a more neutral pond elsewhere. If you manage to get a family of predators visiting your lake, however, you can expect a rapid decline in the muskrat population and less muskrats arriving in future as they’ll sense the danger of predation. The trap can be set by fixing the poles holding up the entrance of the trap into the ground and placing a bait such as a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable deep inside the pouch, making sure that it remains visible to the muskrat. Muskrats can be shot in the early morning or at dusk with a .22 caliber rifle. This can also displace other species that are living in that ecosystem. Setting a trap directly in a run is ideal. Approach the trap calmly to avoid startling the animal. Muskrats are semi-aquatic animals, and spend the majority of their time in water, traveling back and forth between rivers and the land. If you live in an area where muskrats are considered invasive, you should always contact a professional for advise, and be aware that lethal means will very likely be used to remove them. by building nests for them to attract them to your property. Since you’ll need to dig the fencing into the … © Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Animal Control. Most muskrats have long, dark, reddish-brown fur on the upper parts of the body and short, silver-tipped fur underneath. ), are a semi-aquatic rodent that is widespread across North America, as well as portions of South America, Europe, and Asia. Removing palatable plants in and around the water will prevent muskrats from settling in, and cause any that are already present to move out since they won’t have access to food. Muskrats could put a serious dent in any undesirable plant populations. 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