How to Prevent Muskrat Damage

Property damage by muskrats is likely if you live near a pond, stream or dam. These large rodents make their homes in marshes and beside inland bodies of fresh water. They build large lodges out of aquatic plants and dig holes in stream beds and pond banks which hastens erosion to these areas. A burrowing muskrat population can do severe damage to boat docks, foam flotation blocks and man-made dams. Fortunately, there are several measures to take to prevent muskrat damage before it spirals out of control. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Check for signs of muskrats. Look for burrows and fortify any weak areas along the banks immediately.

2

Riprap embankments and dams to prevent burrowing and chewing. Place or dump angular rocks known as riprap or graded stone along embankments and dams. Pile the riprap at least 6 inches thick, and extend it 3 feet below and 1 foot above the level of the water. This also prevents water erosion.

3

Peg 1 inch by 2 inch galvanized welded wire flat against the inside banks of the pond and secure in place every 3 feet. To do this, pound sticks or branches into the dirt through the mesh gaps or tie the wire to existing roots with sturdy fishing line. Skip this step if your pond is for swimming, as the wire will corrode.

4

Construct pond dams impenetrable to muskrat damage. Build the dam 20 feet wide or wider at water level. Add a large spillway that prevents water from rising more than 6 inches on to the dam. Cut a trench with a narrow trenching machine all along the center of the earth fill, 3 feet below water level. Fill the trench with concrete poured 1 foot above water level. Sod your dam well to create a dense soil binding and slope the pond side of the dam gradually at a 3-to-1 ratio. Attach

galvanized welded wire along the dam face.

5

Protect floating docks and flotation blocks from muskrat damage. Flotation Styrofoam is appealing to burrowing muskrats. Protect the sides with treated lumber. Cover the bottoms of all flotation devices with galvanized 1 inch by 2 inch welded wire. When constructing a new dock use encapsulated flotation instead of Styrofoam.

6

Eliminate staple food sources. Remove cattail rushes and other starchy vegetation that muskrats feed on. Leave low-starch options like leafy bull rush in place.

7

Place traps that euthanize muskrats. In addition to non-lethal methods for controlling muskrats install traps. Wade around the perimeter of the bank and use a stick to probe for holes that lead to the underwater entrance of a muskrat lodge. Place a trap at the entrance of the lodge and wedge two sticks through the springs of the trap to secure it in the pond bed.