Beavers

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Protect trees, gardens, and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Check your property for areas where beavers may dam culverts, drainage ditches, or small streams. Maintain clear drainage to minimize attracting beavers.

Around home

• Beavers are attracted to ornamental trees and shrubs, especially aspen, birch, and fruit trees. Beavers are not attracted to human food.
• Planting trees that regrow after beaver damage, such as red osier dogwood or pussy willows, can be a beneficial strategy for coexistence.
• Protect or remove vegetation near shorelines that could encourage beavers to build dams.
• Wrap the lower 3–4 feet of trees near water with hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall to prevent gnawing.
• If beavers block culverts, consider installing a water flow device specifically designed for beavers to reduce flooding. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.

Pets and livestock

• Beavers generally avoid pets and livestock, but they may approach them out of curiosity. Beavers may act defensively if cornered or approached closely.
• Keep dogs leashed or fenced near ponds, rivers, and wetlands where beavers are active.
• Keep livestock fenced away from areas where beavers are active.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most beaver conflicts can be prevented by eliminating access to favored vegetation for food and building dams.
• Protect trees, gardens, and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Various types of fencing and water flow devices may prevent flooding while allowing beavers to remain.
• Removing dams may also temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured beaver or a young beaver that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• If you found an injured beaver or a young beaver that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of beavers other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where trapping is allowed, a beaver may be lethally removed on private property by the property owner or their designee year-round without a trapping license if the beaver is doing or about to do damage.
• Beavers can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting beavers is illegal in Michigan.
• In areas where trapping is not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the beaver.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Protect trees and other valuable plants in your community with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Check areas where beavers may dam culverts, drainage ditches, or small streams. Maintain clear drainage to minimize attracting beavers.

Your community

• Beavers are attracted to ornamental trees and shrubs, especially aspen, birch, and fruit trees. Beavers are not attracted to human food.
• Planting trees that regrow after beaver damage, such as red osier dogwood or pussy willows, can be a beneficial strategy for coexistence.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that restrict public feeding of beavers and other wildlife.

Public spaces

• Prevent flooding in parks and public buildings near water by inspecting culverts and other structures beavers may plug. Also look for beaver activity, such as gnawed trees.
• Consider installing fencing or a water flow device specifically designed for beavers to prevent flooding. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• If beavers create dams near public walkways or infrastructure, monitor for flooding and erosion. Removing dams may temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents to keep pets leashed in areas where beavers are present.
• Beavers may react defensively if a dog or livestock approaches too closely.
• Keep livestock fenced away from areas where beavers are active.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most beaver conflicts can be prevented by eliminating access to favored vegetation for food and building dams.
• Protect trees, gardens, and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Various types of fencing and water flow devices may prevent flooding while allowing beavers to remain. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• Removing dams may also temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured beaver or a young beaver and believes that it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of beavers other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows trapping, a beaver may be lethally removed on private property by the property owner or their designee year-round without a trapping license if the beaver is doing or about to do damage.
• Beavers can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting beavers is illegal in Michigan.
• If your jurisdiction does not allow trapping, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• If your jurisdiction is interested in implementing a trapping program, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the beaver.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Protect trees and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Check areas for where beavers may dam culverts, drainage ditches, or small streams. Maintain clear drainage to minimize attracting beavers.

Around buildings

• Beavers are attracted to ornamental trees and shrubs, especially aspen, birch, and fruit trees. Beavers are not attracted to human food.
• Prevent flooding in buildings near water by inspecting culverts and other structures beavers may plug. Also look for beaver activity, such as gnawed trees.
• Consider installing fencing or a water flow device specifically designed for beavers to prevent flooding. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• Planting trees that regrow after beaver damage, such as red osier dogwood or pussy willows, can be a beneficial strategy for coexistence.
• Remove or fence shoreline vegetation that may attract beavers.
• If beavers create dams near walkways or buildings, monitor for potential flooding and erosion. Removing dams may temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.

Pets and livestock

• Beavers may act defensively if approached by a dog or livestock.
• Keep dogs leashed or livestock fenced off from business or school grounds near water.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most beaver conflicts can be prevented by eliminating access to favored vegetation for food and building dams.
• Protect trees, gardens, and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Various types of fencing and water flow devices may prevent flooding while allowing beavers to remain. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• Removing dams may also temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured beaver or a young beaver and believes that it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of beavers other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where trapping is allowed, a beaver may be lethally removed on private property by the property owner or their designee year-round without a trapping license if the beaver is doing or about to do damage.
• Beavers can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting beavers is illegal in Michigan.
• In areas where trapping is not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the beaver.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Protect orchard trees and young fruit trees with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Check your property for areas where beavers may dam culverts, drainage ditches, or small streams. Maintain clear drainage to minimize attracting beavers.

Your farm or orchard

• Beavers are attracted to woody vegetation rather than crops.
• Inspect waterways, drain tiles, and culverts for signs of beaver dams or surrounding activity, such as gnawed trees.
• Install flow-control devices to reduce water backup and flood risk.
• Protect high-value trees with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Remove brush piles or vegetation near water that may encourage dam building.

Pets and livestock

• Beavers generally avoid pets and livestock but may react defensively if approached.
• Keep dogs leashed or livestock fenced near water.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Most beaver conflicts can be prevented by eliminating access to favored vegetation for food and building dams.
• Protect trees, gardens, and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Various types of fencing and water flow devices may prevent flooding while allowing beavers to remain. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• Removing dams may also temporarily prevent flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured beaver or a young beaver that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of beavers other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where trapping is allowed, a beaver may be lethally removed on private property by the property owner or their designee year-round without a trapping license if the beaver is doing or about to do damage.
• Beavers can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting beavers is illegal in Michigan.
• In areas where trapping is not allowed, contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the beaver.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Prevent damage to trees and other valuable plants with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Check airport property for areas where beavers may dam culverts, drainage ditches, or small streams. Maintain clear drainage to minimize attracting beavers.

Around buildings

• Inspect culverts and other water control infrastructure on airport facilities for potential beaver damming, particularly near ditches and other areas of moving water.
• Install culvert fencing or flow-control devices to prevent beavers blocking water movement. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.

Airfields

• Beavers are attracted to trees and shrubs near water, especially aspen, birch, and willows. Beavers are not attracted to human food.
• Maintain short vegetation and remove brush or saplings along water edges to reduce beaver building materials.
• Monitor drainage channels for newly constructed dams.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Inspect waterways, drain tiles, and culverts for signs of beaver dams or surrounding activity, such as gnawed trees.
• Install fencing or flow-control devices to reduce water backup and flood risk. The Beaver Institute provides a guide to best practices for integrating water flow devices that enhance coexistence with beavers.
• Protect high-value trees with sturdy fencing or hardware cloth at least 30 inches tall and with 3 inch or smaller holes.
• Removing dams may also temporarily reduce flooding, but beavers often rebuild quickly and may require repeated maintenance.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured beaver or a young beaver that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of beavers other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• A permit to control beavers to address a public safety issue at an airport may be issued by a DNR wildlife management regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee without an investigation
• If trapping is allowed on airport property, beavers can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting beavers is illegal in Michigan.
• For beaver issues not related to public safety contact a nuisance animal control company.
• Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the beaver.