Non-Lethal Beaver Management

[Sue Cronheim]

Does anyone in this group have any expertise with non-lethal beaver management techniques or know of someone who does? I live in the Whitehart subdivision in Wake County and one of a group of homeowners who would like to convince our HOA not to trap and kill beavers every year. I've probably contacted and spoken with every division of WRC and the Humane Society and the USDA-APHIS and every other person I could dig up. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

[Carolina Waterfowl Rescue]

I can refer you to someone if you still havent found anyone yet.

[Sue Cronheim]

Their primary argument is that they do not want to risk the beavers undermining the drain that goes from our pond under the road -- but they've never looked at alternatives. I would like to find someone with expertise in putting in "beaver deceivers" or pond levelers who can come out and look at our particular situation and give an opinion -- for which I would happily foot the bill.

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue person -- you were behind the rescue of the heron that got caught in one of these traps last week. Kindra and her husband Vinney (sp?) with CLAWS came out and were our heroes.

We have such a small pond that I'm wondering if any devices are even actually necessary and wondering if it makes sense to try and find an engineer to give an opinion or report. Does that sound over the top?
Thanks...

[Steve Bennett]

Usually beavers do not dig holes under drains. Muskrats will however dig holes. The beaver will sometimes dig holes in the banks of ponds to make dens. But probably not under a drain.

Steve

[Steve Bennett]

I have some experience with beavers. I would be glad to look at your situation. However, if there is a pond already there, a water leveler may not work.

Steve Bennett
919-828-7930-H
919-791-4307-O

[Sue Cronheim]

Hi, Steve -- thanks for your note. I was wondering with our pond and with the way our drain is positioned (which is somewhat hard to explain) if a leveler would work but am wondering if a fence to keep them back from the area of the drain could be effective? Have you done any of this before? Should I just call you; and if so, would you prefer I wait until Monday or is over the weekend okay? Thanks so much for your reply.
Sue

[Steve Bennett]

I have knowledge of the Clemson Beaver Pond Leveler and have seen videos . Plus I have a lot of l knowledge of wildlife. I would have to look at the pond and see the situation. Call me . I usually go to my Fathers on Saturday. But Sunday may be a good time. I live in the edge of Raleigh.

Steve

[Sue Cronheim]

Hey, Steve -- thanks for your reply. If you wind up able to come over, just send a note or call me at 329-5681. I will be around on Sunday. The subdivision is Whitehart and the closest intersection (you can see the pond quite easily from it) is Anfield Road and Blaydon Road. The pond itself is on Anfield.
Sue

[Steve Bennett]

I could not make it on Sunday. Next Sunday may be better. I am not familiar with those roads, I can get directions from you when I call.

Steve

[Sue Cronheim]

Steve -- no sweat. If you can pop out Sunday, just call me for directions. It is close to Lake Wheeler.
Sue

[Steve Bennett]

Sorry; my father had his 96th birthday celebration and I was out of town. I live just off lake Wheeler Road, so I would be close.

Steve

[Diane Willis]

I was horrified to see a Critter Control employee setting traps for beavers several years ago, in a corporate pond. I contacted PETA at their national headquarters. They actually had a beaver expert. They faxed a letter to building management with several alternatives and also mentioned why trapping beavers is not effective since more will just take their place. It's worth talking to them.

[Sue Cronheim]

Unfortunately, what I have found out so far in the research I've done is that it hasn't occurred to anyone that there are alternatives to trapping and killing the beavers. Luckily, the board of directors for my HOA is open to alternatives and I have been tasked with researching the viability -- and cost -- of those alternatives. I want ours to be a progressive neighborhood that sets the trend -- and show that we can co-exist with our wildlife. But the battle is not won yet -- we're just starting. Stay tuned!