Get Rid of Unwanted Wildlife Today!
Get Rid of Unwanted Wildlife Today!
Beaver Removal Atlanta|Trapping & Control
Beavers are quite industrious creatures, however they flood timber by damming culverts, and creating substantial dams. This creates extensive damage, because the creatures tend to take trees down that are ornamental in homeowners yards they become a nuisance.
Beaver Biology
Informative information on Beavers
The beaver (Castor Canadensis) is North America’s largest rodent. Adult beavers typically weigh 45 to 60 pounds, but have been known to grow to 100 pounds. Native Americans greatly respected beavers, calling them “Little People”. Beavers and humans are alike in their ability to greatly alter their habitats to suit their own needs.
To obtain food and building materials, beavers are well known for their ability to topple large trees using nothing but their specially adapted incisor teeth and powerful lower jaw muscles. Beaver teeth never stop growing, so they do not become too worn despite years of chewing hardwoods. Their four front teeth (incisors) are self-sharpening due to hard orange enamel on the front of the tooth and a softer dentin on the back. Therefore as beavers chew wood the softer backside of the tooth wears faster, creating a chisel-like cutting surface.
The beaver’s most distinctive feature is their large flat tail, which serves as a rudder when swimming, a prop when sitting or standing upright, and a storehouse of fat for the winter. Beavers will also slap their tail on the surface of the water as a danger warning to other beavers or sometimes in play. They do not use it to carry mud.
Beavers are aquatic mammals with large webbed hind feet ideal for swimming, and hand-like front paws that allow them to manipulate objects with great dexterity. They have excellent senses of hearing and smell, and rely on these senses more than their less developed sense of eyesight. When swimming underwater a protective transparent membrane will cover their eyes, and flaps close to keep water out of their nostrils and ears. In addition, behind their incisors they have inner lips that allow them to carry sticks in their mouths while swimming without getting a mouthful of water.
Beaver fur consists of short fine hairs for warmth and longer hairs for waterproofing. They need to groom their fur daily to keep it waterproof, and frequently groom each other’s fur. They have castor glands on the under side of their abdomen from which they can excrete an oily substance (castor) that they use in the grooming process, and to mark their territory.
Beaver Lodge
Where Do Beavers live?
What Is a Beaver Lodge?
Beaver lodges are impressive, dome-shaped structures built by beavers to serve as their home and safe haven. Found along the edges of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, these lodges are essential to the beaver’s survival and reproduction.
How Beavers Build Lodges
Beavers use a mix of sticks, branches, mud, and vegetation to build their lodges. These materials are packed tightly to form a sturdy, waterproof structure. Most lodges are constructed in shallow water and can take on a significant size, depending on the size of the beaver family.
Unique Lodge Design
Each lodge typically has multiple entrances, with at least one being underwater. These submerged entry points provide easy access for the beavers while also protecting them from predators such as coyotes, bears, and other wildlife.
Inside the Beaver Lodge
The interior includes a dry nesting chamber above the waterline where beavers sleep, groom, and raise their young. Tunnels and resting areas within the lodge allow the family to live comfortably, especially during the colder months.
Winter Survival
During the winter, beavers remain in their lodge, relying on stored food and body fat. Thanks to the insulating design and underwater entrances, the lodge stays accessible even when the surface water freezes over.
Family Structure
A typical lodge is home to a close-knit family group, usually a mated pair and their offspring from the current and previous year. These family members work together to build, maintain, and defend their lodge year-round.
Constant Maintenance
Beavers continually reinforce and repair their lodges with fresh mud and sticks to ensure structural integrity and waterproofing. This maintenance helps keep the lodge secure and livable through changing weather conditions.
Beaver Bank Dens
When beavers cannot always construct a stick lodge
In addition to traditional lodges, beavers may also construct bank dens—also known as burrows or bank lodges—to serve as secure shelters along the banks of ponds, streams, and rivers. These underground structures are a testament to the beaver’s adaptability when suitable building materials for above-ground lodges are limited.
Key Features of Beaver Bank Dens
1. Location & Access
Unlike the dome-shaped lodge built from sticks and mud, a bank den is excavated directly into the shoreline of a water body. The entrance is typically located underwater, which allows beavers to come and go safely while staying protected from predators.
2. Tunnel & Chamber Design
Bank dens feature a network of tunnels and dry chambers inside the embankment. These chambers provide space for resting, grooming, and caring for young beavers (kits). The tunnels often include multiple entry and exit points for safety and ventilation.
3. Purpose & Protection
Beaver bank dens offer similar benefits to lodges:
- Protection from predators like coyotes, foxes, and raccoons
- Insulation during cold months
- Concealed entryways beneath the water’s surface
Bank dens are often used as primary shelters in areas where materials for lodge-building are scarce, or as secondary dens for overflow or backup shelter.
4. Maintenance & Upkeep
Just like with lodges, beavers maintain their bank dens by:
- Reinforcing tunnel walls with mud and sticks
- Clearing debris from entrances
- Monitoring for erosion or damage after heavy rains
5. Family Occupants
Bank dens are typically home to family units, including a mated pair and their offspring. The entire family works together to dig, maintain, and protect the den.
Why Bank Dens Matter for Trapping
Bank dens are often more difficult to detect than traditional lodges. However, they can still lead to property damage, erosion, and water control issues. Our team at Atlanta Wildlife Solutions, LLC has the experience and tools to locate, inspect, and trap beavers living in bank dens with minimal disruption to your land or water features.
Beaver Removal Alpharetta
Beaver Trapping & Control Services – Atlanta, GA
What Is Beaver Damage?
While beavers play a beneficial role in shaping wetland ecosystems, their natural behaviors can often conflict with human interests, resulting in costly and widespread damage. At Atlanta Wildlife Solutions, LLC, we understand how destructive beavers can be when they settle near homes, farms, and infrastructure throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
Common Types of Beaver Damage
1. Tree Destruction
Beavers are prolific tree cutters. Using their powerful front teeth, they fell trees to build dams and lodges, often targeting:
- Ornamental landscaping
- Hardwood trees and valuable timber
- Forest edges near ponds and streams
2. Flooding
One of the most significant issues caused by beavers is uncontrolled flooding. Their dams raise water levels and may:
- Inundate roads, driveways, and walking paths
- Flood pastures, fields, and septic systems
- Cause water backups near homes and businesses
3. Clogged Culverts & Drains
Beavers frequently build dams inside culverts, storm drains, and irrigation ditches, leading to:
- Blocked water flow
- Washed-out roads and infrastructure
- Ongoing drainage maintenance costs
4. Soil Erosion
Burrowing and damming along streambanks or pond edges can lead to serious erosion, weakening the soil and destabilizing:
- Shorelines
- Levees
- Man-made embankments
5. Structural Damage
Beavers will gnaw on wooden structures near water, such as:
- Docks and boat ramps
- Deck supports and fencing
- Raised garden beds and walkways
6. Crop Destruction
In agricultural areas, beavers may invade crop fields in search of food. They often feed on:
- Corn
- Soybeans
- Sugar cane and other soft crops
This can lead to economic losses for farmers and rural landowners.
7. Water Quality Concerns
Beaver dams alter natural stream flow, which can impact:
- Water temperature
- Sediment build-up
- Oxygen levels and nutrient cycling
These changes may harm native aquatic life and disrupt healthy water systems.
Protect Your Property from Beaver Damage
If you’re experiencing any of these problems on your property, early intervention is key. Our licensed beaver trappers in Atlanta, GA can identify the source of the issue, safely trap nuisance beavers, and remove dams to restore natural water flow.
Call or Text Today: 770-363-5350
Serving Residential, Commercial, Agricultural & Municipal Clients Since 2004
Beaver Trapping & Control Services – Atlanta, GA
Protecting Your Property from Beaver Damage Since 2004
If you’ve noticed flooding, tree damage, or strange water flow issues near your pond, creek, or drainage ditch—beavers may be to blame. At Atlanta Wildlife Solutions, LLC, we specialize in professional beaver trapping and dam removal throughout Atlanta and North Georgia. Our licensed experts provide humane, effective solutions to remove nuisance beavers and restore your property.
Why Beavers Become a Problem
Beavers are natural engineers, but their dam-building and tree-chewing habits often lead to:
- Flooded yards and roadways
- Damage to ornamental trees and landscaping
- Blocked culverts and drainage systems
- Erosion or water diversion on farms and fields
Left unchecked, a single beaver family can alter entire ecosystems—and cause thousands of dollars in property damage.
Our Beaver Trapping Program
We offer two-week beaver trapping programs that include:
- Site inspection and activity assessment
- Strategic trap placement at dams, trails, or lodges
- Daily or every-other-day trap checks
- Dam breach or removal (as needed)
- Professional-grade equipment and humane removal
Our team is fully licensed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and has over 20 years of field experience. We understand beaver behavior and use targeted methods for fast, effective results.
Beaver Dam Removal
Welcome to Atlanta Wildlife Solutions, LLC Pest Control
There are several methods for removing beaver dams, depending on the situation and the goals of the removal:
1. Manual removal: This involves physically dismantling the dam using hand tools such as shovels, axes, or saws. It can be labor-intensive but may be effective for smaller dams or in areas where heavy machinery cannot access.
2. Mechanical removal: Heavy machinery such as excavators or backhoes can be used to remove larger beaver dams more efficiently. This method is often used for larger dams or in situations where manual removal is impractical.
3. Water flow management: Installing devices such as beaver deceivers or beaver bafflers can help regulate water flow through the dam while allowing beavers to continue building and maintaining their habitat. These devices can redirect water to prevent flooding while minimizing the need for dam removal.
4. Trapping and relocation: In some cases, trapping and relocating beavers may be necessary, especially if they continue to rebuild dams in problematic locations. This method requires permits and should be carried out by trained professionals to minimize stress and ensure the welfare of the animals.
5. Habitat modification: Altering the surrounding landscape or installing deterrents such as fencing or tree wrapping can discourage beavers from building dams in certain areas without the need for direct removal.