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While they aren’t necessarily dangerous, muskrats can damage docks, decorative features, and dams when they dig out their burrows and tunnels, so it’s reasonable to want these pests gone. Luckily, you’ve got plenty of options at your disposal, and we’ll help to ensure that you’re muskrat-free in no time. In this article, we’ll cover every proven solution to getting rid of muskrats and break down what you need to know about these annoying little critters.
Things You Should Know
- Install a muskrat-proof mesh liner , decorative stones, or wire to physically keep muskrats out of your pond or water feature.
- Remove cattails and wild rice plants to get rid of a muskrat’s favorite food and send them elsewhere.
- Muskrats aren’t dangerous and if they aren’t damaging anything, you can always leave them alone.
- Check your local laws to confirm, but you’re usually allowed to kill or trap muskrats freely since they qualify as furbearing animals.
Steps
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Warnings
- There are no reputable muskrat poisons that won’t poison the waterway where the muskrats are hanging out, which will basically destroy the local ecosystem. It’s also typically illegal. [19] X Trustworthy Source Penn State Extension Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9400
- ↑ https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wetland-and-Pond-Maintenance-2006.pdf?fwd=no
- ↑ https://forestry.ca.uky.edu/muskrat_lethal
- ↑ https://owl-online.org/animal-guide/muskrat
- ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/mam.12218
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/constructed-wetlands-handbook.pdf
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9400
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9400
- ↑ https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wetland-and-Pond-Maintenance-2006.pdf?fwd=no
- ↑ https://natureofhome.com/how-to-get-rid-of-muskrats-lakes-ponds-gardens/
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-09/documents/lagoon-pond-treatment-2011.pdf
- ↑ https://natureofhome.com/how-to-get-rid-of-muskrats-lakes-ponds-gardens/
- ↑ https://www.startribune.com/fixit-how-to-keep-muskrats-from-chewing-hose/34889529/
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/management-of-fish-ponds-in-pennsylvania
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-10/documents/constructed-wetlands-handbook.pdf
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9400
- ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g9400
- ↑ https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/othercritters/factsheets/nuisance-wildlife-md.pdf
- ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/management-of-fish-ponds-in-pennsylvania
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