- Beaver
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- Beaver problems seem
to be synonymous with spring. The most common problem with beaver is
their damming activity. As they build up their aquatic home, spring
rains come through and water can back up heavily. Sometimes it
floods agriculture fields, sometimes flooding roadways. Sometimes
the weight of the water is too much and the dam washes away,
allowing a large flood of water downstream that washes out roads and
can cause serious safety hazards.
- Damming a small stream
and flooding valuable woodlands are common cases where the beavers
could stand to be removed. Some times they are doing unexpected
damage to fruit and crops trees, possibly traveling rather far over
land. Often it is an individual offender that can be addressed
either through lethal trapping or live trapping/relocation.
- Most beaver problems
can be controlled through the regular trapping of excess animals
from a flowage during the fall and winter fur trapping seasons.
Inviting a local trapper onto your land to keep beaver numbers low
is one of the best things a landowner can do to alleviate beaver
problems.
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- We also offer water
leveling devices and culvert protectors. Often referred to as
"beaver deceivers", these structures are custom built on
site and are designed to reduce the sound and intensity of flowing
water, while at the same time allowing beavers to fulfill their
damming impulse without actually affecting water flow through a
culvert. However, a deceiver is only as good as the maintenance kept
on it. High water, ice, and debris flowing downstream in the spring
can render deceivers useless. Also, heavy accumulations of leaves in
the fall can cause clogging and damming, which is the opposite of
the goals. All deceivers installed require annual maintenance
coupled with a concerted trapping effort to remain effective. If you
are a considerable distance from us, we can work with you to find a
trapper close by for long term trapping if we are unable to make it
there regularly. Often, a reduction in population, coupled with long
term management of beaver deceivers is the best option for long term
compatibility with beavers.
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- Wetland ecosystems are
highly valuable for a broad range and diversity of species. We
always encourage trying to find a solution that allows for at least
a few beavers to remain for reproduction and to keep dams
maintained, if applicable. Any piece of water way will only support
beavers so long as there is food. Keeping beaver populations lower
in a flowage ensures a longer timeline of beaver presence since
their food resource isn't depleted as fast. Dam failures are less
frequent when they are maintained regularly by beavers.
- Maine Wildlife
Exclusion Services offers lethal and live trapping services,
depending on the situation and the management objectives. We do live
trap beavers and relocate them when appropriate. Maine beaver
populations are very high, and sometimes finding habitat to support
beavers that are being relocated is difficult. Spring beavers are
highly territorial and fight aggressively. If you have a pond,
flowage, or wet area that you think might be suitable for a
relocated beaver, give us a call and let us know. We like to
maintain a list each year of people who would like to have beavers
on their property. We can not guarantee that the beavers will stay,
but chances are good given enough food, cover, and space.
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click photos to enlarge
Tree damage by beavers.
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Maine Wildlife 
