Muskrats

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Muskrats are primarily plant-eaters and attracted to slow-moving waterways and areas with abundant aquatic vegetation, like ponds. Removing or thinning dense vegetation, like cattails, around shorelines can make your area less attractive to muskrats.
• Prevent muskrats from burrowing into banks of ponds and lakes by installing riprap, hardware cloth, or other sturdy erosion-control materials on shorelines. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Around home

• If you have a backyard pond or lake, maintaining steeper banks can make it harder for muskrats to dig burrows.
• Avoid leaving out edible yard waste such as piles of spoiled produce, which may draw muskrats and other wildlife.
• If a muskrat enters a window well or enclosed space by mistake, place a rough board to allow it to climb out safely.

Pets and livestock

• Muskrats generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase muskrats, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• Livestock are not typically affected by muskrats, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials on edges of livestock drinking areas may help prevent muskrats from creating burrows hazardous to livestock.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing muskrats from accessing food and secure shoreline vegetation is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Fencing off ponds, using shoreline barriers, or maintaining steep pond banks can discourage muskrats from burrowing.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from muskrats.
• Various muskrat deterrents, such as scary balloons and plastic owls, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Prevent muskrat damage to boats by using exhaust guards on engines, elevating trolling motors, and protecting other parts submerged in water that muskrats may chew on.
• 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.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of muskrats other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured muskrat or young muskrat 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.

Lethal methods

• Muskrats may be lethally removed using legal traps on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If trapping is allowed in your area, muskrats can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting muskrats 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 muskrats, if allowed in your area.
• Predators of muskrats, including hawks, coyotes and foxes, may help to control muskrats in your area.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Encourage residents and municipal staff to remove or thin dense vegetation, like cattails, around ponds and lakes to make these areas less attractive to muskrats.
• Prevent muskrats from burrowing into banks of ponds and lakes by installing riprap, hardware cloth, or other sturdy erosion-control materials on shorelines. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Your community

• Educate residents and staff about minimizing food sources, such as fallen fruit, near water which may attract muskrats and other wildlife.
• If a muskrat enters a window well or enclosed space by mistake, a rough board can be placed diagonally to allow it to climb out safely. Where possible, fence off the space to prevent another occurrence.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding muskrats and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Muskrats rarely interact with buildings, but public structures near water should be inspected for burrow openings and potential shoreline erosion.
• Reinforce vulnerable banks around retention ponds, swimming areas, and other municipal water bodies with riprap or sturdy erosion-control materials. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.
• Maintaining steeper banks on retention ponds and similar water bodies can make it harder for muskrats to dig burrows.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about keeping dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase wildlife. Muskrats generally avoid pets, may bite if cornered, and lead to injuries to dogs and muskrats.
• Livestock are not typically affected by muskrats, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials on edges of livestock drinking areas may help prevent muskrats from creating burrows hazardous to livestock.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing muskrats from accessing food and secure shoreline vegetation is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Encourage staff to fence off ponds, use shoreline barriers, and maintain steep pond banks to discourage muskrats from burrowing.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from muskrats.
• Various muskrat deterrents, such as scary balloons and plastic owls, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• 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.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of muskrats other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured muskrat or young muskrat that they believe 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.

Lethal methods

• If trapping is allowed in your jurisdiction, muskrats may be lethally removed using legal traps on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If trapping is allowed in your jurisdiction, muskrats can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting muskrats is illegal in Michigan.
• In jurisdictions 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 muskrats, if allowed in your area.
• Predators of muskrats, including hawks, coyotes and foxes, may help to control muskrats in your area.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Encourage grounds staff to remove or thin dense vegetation, like cattails, around ponds and lakes to make these areas less attractive to muskrats.
• Prevent muskrats from burrowing into banks of ponds and lakes by installing riprap, hardware cloth, or other sturdy erosion-control materials on shorelines. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Grounds

• Muskrats rarely interact with buildings, but structures near water should be inspected for burrow openings and potential shoreline erosion.
• Reinforce vulnerable banks around ponds with riprap or sturdy erosion-control materials. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.
• Minimize food sources, such as fallen fruit, near water which may attract muskrats and other wildlife.
• If a muskrat enters a window well or enclosed space by mistake, a rough board can be placed diagonally to allow it to climb out safely. Where possible, fence off the space to prevent another occurrence.

Pets and livestock

• Educate staff and visitors about keeping dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase wildlife. Muskrats generally avoid pets, may bite if cornered, and lead to injuries to dogs and muskrats.
• Livestock are not typically affected by muskrats, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials on edges of livestock drinking areas may help prevent muskrats from creating burrows hazardous to livestock.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing muskrats from accessing food and secure shoreline vegetation, like cattails, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Encourage grounds staff to fence off ponds, use shoreline barriers, and maintain steep pond banks to discourage muskrats from burrowing.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from muskrats.
• Various muskrat deterrents, such as scary balloons and plastic owls, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• 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.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of muskrats other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured muskrat or young muskrat that they believe 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.

Lethal methods

• Muskrats may be lethally removed using legal traps on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If trapping is allowed in your area, muskrats can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting muskrats 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 muskrats, if allowed in your area.
• Predators of muskrats, including hawks, coyotes and foxes, may help to control muskrats in your area.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Remove or thin dense vegetation, like cattails, around ponds, drainage ditches, and irrigation areas to make these areas less attractive to muskrats.
• Prevent muskrats from burrowing into banks of ponds and ditches by installing riprap, hardware cloth, or other sturdy erosion-control materials on shorelines. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Your farm or orchard

• Inspect pond edges and embankments regularly for burrows, which can weaken banks and cause erosion. Collapsed banks, water loss, or muddy slides may indicate muskrat activity.
• Reinforce pond edges with rock, hardware cloth, or erosion-control materials.Use fencing or barriers to block muskrat access to valuable water features.

Pets and livestock

• Muskrats generally avoid pets, may bite if cornered, and lead to injuries to dogs and muskrats. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase wildlife.
• Livestock are not typically affected by muskrats, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials on edges of livestock drinking areas may help prevent muskrats from creating burrows hazardous to livestock and equipment.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing muskrats from accessing food and secure shoreline vegetation, like cattails, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Fence off ponds, use shoreline barriers, and maintain steep pond banks to discourage muskrats from burrowing.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from muskrats.
• Various muskrat deterrents, such as scary balloons and plastic owls, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• 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.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of muskrats other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured muskrat or young muskrat 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.

Lethal methods

• Muskrats may be lethally removed using legal traps on private property year-round by property owners or their designees without a written permit if doing damage or physically present where it could imminently cause damage.
• If trapping is allowed in your area, muskrats can be lethally removed during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting muskrats 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 muskrats, if allowed in your area.
• Predators of muskrats, including hawks, coyotes and foxes, may help to control muskrats in your area.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Remove or thin dense vegetation, like cattails, around ponds, drainage ditches, and irrigation areas to make these areas less attractive to muskrats.
• Prevent muskrats from burrowing into banks of ponds and ditches by installing riprap, hardware cloth, or other sturdy erosion-control materials on shorelines. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Around buildings

• Muskrats rarely interact with buildings, but structures near water should be inspected for burrow openings and potential shoreline erosion.
• Minimize food sources, such as fallen fruit, near water which may attract muskrats and other wildlife.
• If a muskrat enters a window well or enclosed space by mistake, a rough board can be placed diagonally to allow it to climb out safely. Where possible, fence off the space to prevent another occurrence.
• Use caution when approaching muskrats, as they may defend themselves if cornered.

Airfields

• Reinforce vulnerable banks around ponds with riprap or sturdy erosion-control materials. Materials can be covered by soil for purposes of aesthetics or safety.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing muskrats from accessing food and secure shoreline vegetation, like cattails, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Encourage staff to fence off ponds, use shoreline barriers, and maintain steep pond banks to discourage muskrats from burrowing.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from muskrats.
• Various muskrat deterrents, such as scary balloons and plastic owls, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• 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.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of muskrats other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured muskrat or young muskrat 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.

Lethal methods

• A permit to lethally control muskrats 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, muskrats can be removed with legal trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid trapping license.
• Shooting muskrats is illegal in Michigan.
• For muskrat 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 muskrats