How to Get Rid of Muskrats: A Complete Property Protection Guide

Posted on July 10, 2025 by modernwild

Muskrats may look like harmless water-loving rodents, but these semi-aquatic mammals can wreak havoc on your property. While they play an important role in wetland ecosystems, muskrats become problematic when they establish themselves near homes, farms, and recreational areas. Their burrowing habits can undermine foundations, flood fields, and destroy carefully maintained landscapes.

Understanding how to manage muskrat populations responsibly is essential for protecting your property while maintaining ecological balance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through identifying muskrat damage, implementing humane prevention methods, and knowing when to seek professional wildlife control services.

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Identifying Muskrat Damage on Your Property

Recognizing the signs of muskrat activity early can save you from extensive property damage. These industrious rodents leave distinctive calling cards that, once you know what to look for, are unmistakable.

Common Signs of Muskrat Presence

The most obvious indicator of muskrat activity is their burrow systems. Muskrats create extensive tunnel networks along waterways, which can extend 15-20 feet from the water’s edge. These burrows typically have underwater entrances, making them difficult to spot initially.

Look for small holes approximately 6-8 inches in diameter near ponds, streams, or ditches. Fresh excavation around these holes indicates active use. You may also notice worn pathways through vegetation leading to and from water sources.

Long-Term Property Damage

Muskrat damages can be both immediate and long-term. Collapsed banks represent one of the most serious issues homeowners face. When muskrats burrow extensively into pond or stream banks, they weaken the structural integrity, leading to sudden collapses that can be costly to repair.

Flooded fields occur when muskrat burrows create unintended drainage channels or when their dam-building activities redirect water flow. This can devastate crops and create standing water problems in areas where drainage is crucial.

Damaged lawns may seem minor compared to major structural issues, but the cost of repairing torn-up grass, destroyed landscaping, and compromised irrigation systems adds up quickly. Muskrats often tunnel under well-maintained lawns while moving between water sources and feeding areas.

Distinguishing Muskrat Damage from Other Wildlife

Muskrat damage differs from beaver damage in several key ways. While beavers create obvious dams and fell large trees, muskrats focus on burrowing and eating smaller vegetation. Beaver damage occurs above ground and in water, while muskrat damage primarily affects banks and underground areas.

Unlike groundhogs or other burrowing animals, muskrats always maintain close proximity to water sources. Their burrow entrances are typically found within 20 feet of water, whereas other rodents may burrow anywhere.

Humane Methods for Muskrat Control

Prevention remains the most effective and ethical approach to muskrat management. By making your property less attractive to muskrats and blocking their access to problem areas, you can avoid conflicts without harming wildlife.

Exclusion Fencing Solutions

Install sturdy fencing around ponds and gardens to prevent muskrats from accessing these areas. The most effective muskrat deterrents include hardware cloth or welded wire mesh with openings no larger than 1 inch. Bury the fence at least 12 inches deep and extend it 3-4 feet above ground.

For pond protection, consider installing underwater barriers. These barriers should extend from the water’s edge to at least 3 feet deep, preventing muskrats from establishing burrow entrances. Galvanized hardware cloth works well for this application and withstands underwater conditions.

Habitat Modification Strategies

Trim vegetation and remove potential food sources to make the area less attractive to muskrats. Muskrats prefer areas with dense cattails, sedges, and other aquatic plants. Regular vegetation management reduces both food availability and protective cover.

Remove brush piles, fallen logs, and other debris near water sources. These materials provide muskrats with additional shelter and nesting sites. Maintaining a clear zone of at least 10 feet around water features reduces muskrat habitat significantly.

Consider installing riprap or stone barriers along vulnerable shorelines. These hard surfaces prevent burrowing while providing erosion control. The stones should be large enough that muskrats cannot move them easily.

Natural Repellent Applications

Use natural animal repellents like garlic or peppermint oil to deter muskrats from entering your property. These muskrat repellent options are safe for the environment and other wildlife while being unpleasant for muskrats.

Apply repellents regularly, especially after rain or irrigation. Commercial predator urine products can also be effective, as they trigger muskrats’ natural fear responses. Rotate different repellent types to prevent muskrats from becoming accustomed to specific scents.

Sound deterrents, such as ultrasonic devices or motion-activated sprinklers, can supplement scent-based repellents. These devices startle muskrats and make them associate your property with danger.

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Safe Removal Techniques for Existing Muskrat Problems

When prevention methods prove insufficient, safe removal becomes necessary. However, muskrat removal requires careful planning and adherence to local regulations to ensure both human safety and animal welfare.

Understanding Legal Requirements

Always check local wildlife regulations before implementing any control measures. Many states, including Indiana, require specific permits for trapping and relocating muskrats. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and legal consequences.

Never attempt to touch, trap, harm, or kill a muskrat without proper authorization and training. These animals can carry diseases and may bite when cornered or threatened. Additionally, many jurisdictions classify unauthorized wildlife killing as a criminal offense.

Timing Considerations

Plan removal service during appropriate seasons. Spring and early summer removals are most effective, as muskrats are actively establishing territories and haven’t yet produced offspring. Avoid removal during winter months when muskrats are less active and more vulnerable.

Consider breeding cycles when planning removal efforts. Female muskrats can produce 2-3 litters per year, with each litter containing 4-8 young. Removing adults before breeding season prevents population increases.

Why Hire a Professional Wildlife Control Company

✅ Training & Equipment

Professional wildlife removal services have the training and equipment necessary to handle muskrats safely. They understand animal behavior patterns and can predict how muskrats will respond to different management strategies.

✅ Licensing & Permits

Professionals also carry appropriate insurance and licensing, protecting property owners from liability issues. If someone is injured during amateur removal attempts, homeowners may face legal and financial consequences.

✅ Regulatory Compliance

Professional wildlife control services understand local regulations and maintain necessary permits for muskrat removal. They stay current with changing laws and ensure all activities comply with state and federal requirements.

These services also provide documentation of removal activities, which may be required for insurance claims or regulatory reporting.

Preventing Future Muskrat Problems

Successful muskrat management requires ongoing vigilance and maintenance. Even after resolving current issues, properties remain vulnerable to new infestations without proper preventive measures.

Regular Property Monitoring

Conduct monthly inspections of water features and surrounding areas. Look for fresh digging, new pathways, or changes in vegetation patterns that might indicate returning muskrats.
Document any changes with photographs and notes. This information helps identify patterns and assess the effectiveness of current prevention measures.

Maintenance of Deterrent Systems

Repair and maintain exclusion fencing regularly. Check for gaps, rust, or damage that might allow muskrat access. Replace worn hardware cloth and ensure buried portions remain properly installed.
Refresh repellent applications according to manufacturer recommendations. Weather conditions and time degrade most repellents, requiring regular reapplication to maintain effectiveness.

Landscape Management

Continue vegetation management around water features. Overgrown areas quickly become attractive to muskrats seeking food and shelter.
Monitor water levels and drainage patterns. Changes in water flow or standing water areas may create new muskrat habitat opportunities.

RECAP

Muskrat control requires a balanced approach that protects property while respecting wildlife. These semi-aquatic mammals serve important ecological functions, but their presence on private property can cause significant damage and safety concerns.

Early identification of muskrat activity prevents minor issues from becoming major problems. Regular monitoring, combined with appropriate prevention measures, provides the most effective long-term solution.

Remember that successful muskrat management often requires professional expertise. Complex situations, safety concerns, and regulatory requirements make professional wildlife control services a wise investment for many property owners.

If you’re dealing with muskrat problems on your Central Indiana property, don’t wait for the damage to escalate. Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 to assess the situation and develop a comprehensive management plan.

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The Ultimate Guide to Muskrat Control: Protecting Your Property

Posted on January 18, 2024 by modernwild

If your property has become a habitat for muskrats, it’s essential to understand their behavior, diet, and control techniques. These semi-aquatic rodents are known to burrow in marshlands and ponds, often causing significant damage to your property. They feed mostly on aquatic vegetation, fruits, and occasionally small aquatic creatures.

Controlling the muskrat population on your property involves several strategies from using muskrat repellents to setting up muskrat traps. However, it’s important to remember that these traps should only be handled by trained wildlife control operators to ensure safety and effectiveness. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each of these aspects.

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Understanding Muskrat Habitat and Diet

Muskrats are found in wetlands, rivers, lakes, and streams. They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes underwater. These abilities make them well-adapted to their semi-aquatic lifestyle. They build lodges from vegetation near the water’s edge or dig burrows in the banks for shelter. Muskrats are most active at night and can be identified by their distinctive tracks, typically leading to the water’s edge.

As mentioned earlier, muskrats primarily feed on aquatic vegetation such as cattails, sedges, and water lilies. They also consume fruits like apples, berries, and grains if available. While they may occasionally eat small fish, insects, and crustaceans, these make up a small portion of their diet. This knowledge is crucial in understanding how to control muskrats effectively.

Muskrat Control Techniques:

Animal Repellents

Controlling nuisance muskrats on your property can be challenging due to their habitat and feeding preferences. Using animal repellents can be an effective way to deter them from your property. Muskrat repellents can come in the form of sprays, granules, or electronic devices that emit ultrasonic sounds. These methods are typically safe for the environment and non-toxic to other animals.

Muskrat Traps

If muskrats have already taken up residence on your property, trapping may be necessary. It’s essential to use live traps rather than lethal ones to minimize harm to the animal. Remember, muskrat traps should only be handled by trained wildlife control operators for safety and ethical reasons.

Environmental Modification

Another effective method is habitat modification. You can make your property less attractive to muskrats by removing their food sources and blocking or filling any burrows or lodges they may have built. This approach requires regular maintenance, but it can be a long-term solution.

Muskrat vs Beaver

Many people confuse muskrats for beavers and vice versa. While they both live in water and have similar physical features, there are some key differences between the two. Muskrats are much smaller than beavers, reaching up to two feet in length, while beavers can grow up to four feet. Beavers also have a flat paddle-like tail, whereas muskrats have a long, skinny tail that tapers towards the end. Additionally, beavers build large dams and lodges using trees and branches, while muskrats build smaller structures from vegetation.

If you are having trouble with beavers, it’s best to contact a wildlife control operator as they require specialized techniques and tools for removal.

Conclusion

Muskrats may seem like harmless creatures, but their burrowing and feeding habits can cause significant damage to your property. Understanding their behavior, habitat, and diet is the first step in controlling their population. Using repellents, live traps, or modifying their habitat are all viable options for muskrat control. However, it’s essential to seek professional help from trained wildlife control operators when using traps. By following these techniques, you can protect your property and maintain a balance with nature.

If you’re struggling with muskrats on your property, act now. Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for licensed and insured muskrat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

What You Should Know about Muskrats Before Trying to Remove Them Yourself

Posted on March 14, 2023 by modernwild

Are you dealing with muskrats around your property? If so, it’s important to know the best way to get rid of them. Trying to remove muskrats yourself can be dangerous and ineffective if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are four things you should consider before attempting muskrat removal on your own.

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4 Things About Muskrat Removal You Need to Know

1) Associated Risks

The risks associated with trapping or killing muskrats on your own can be very serious. Muskrats have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury if you’re not careful. There’s also a risk of disease transmission from handling the animals, so it’s important to wear proper protective gear when attempting muskrat removal. Plus, most store-bought traps are ineffective because they don’t target the specific species of muskrat that may be causing your problems.

2) Legal Regulations

In addition to safety concerns, there are legal regulations surrounding muskrat control methods. Many states require a state wildlife permit in order to trap and kill muskrats, and some areas may even prohibit certain types of traps. Before attempting any kind of muskrat removal, it’s important to be familiar with the laws in your area.

3) Muskrat Identification

Before you can attempt muskrat removal, you must first identify a muskrat infestation. Look for burrows and signs of feeding near water sources or on your lawn. Muskrats also leave behind droppings that are similar to those of other rodents — they’re small and black with a white tip at one end. You should also check for damage caused by muskrats, like gnawed trees or damaged vegetation around bodies of water or irrigation ditches where they may find food.

4) Muskrat Damage

Finally, it’s important to know what kind of damage muskrats can cause. They have been known to wreak havoc on crops, destroy vegetation, and disrupt irrigation systems. They also carry parasites and diseases that may be dangerous to humans and other animals in your area.

Get Rid of Muskrats Safely and Humanely

Knowing these four things is important if you’re considering muskrat removal. Remember that it’s much safer and more effective to hire a professional for the job than try to handle it yourself. With the right knowledge and expertise, you can ensure that your muskrat problem will be taken care of safely and quickly.

If you think you have a muskrat infestation on your property, don’t wait! Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for safe and effective animal trapping and removal services for muskrats in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial customers.

What to Do if You are Dealing With Muskrat Problems

Posted on July 14, 2022 by modernwild

Is it a beaver? A groundhog? What is a muskrat and why are they such a nuisance? These are all the expected questions of a homeowner dealing with a nuisance muskrat problem. Continue below to learn how to get rid of muskrats safely using safe and humane methods of animal trapping and relocation.

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Muskrat Removal and Control 101

First and foremost, it is important to understand that animal removal for wildlife like muskrats is exclusively for professionals who are licensed to work with woodland critters. Although you can take matters into your own hands, there are laws governing wildlife removal and control, and the local ordinances may not permit you to do so legally.

For instance, homeowners are not allowed to poison or kill any animal on their property except for mice and rats. Killing or even tampering with a critter classified as exotic, wild, feral, or endangered, especially during their breeding season, can lead to civil and criminal penalties. Most often, homeowners are slapped with a massive fine. It is important to check with your local and state wildlife agencies, wildlife enforcement officer, or county game warden about the regulations surrounding wildlife trapping and control.

Furthermore, professional Indiana wildlife control operators retain the proper training, knowledge, resources, and equipment to safely get rid of muskrats and relocate them to a faraway habitat suited for their species. For these reasons, it is critical that you enlist your muskrat removal and control needs to a qualified authority.

Muskrat Trapping

Two-door live trap cages are the most commonly-used trapping devices for removing nuisance muskrats. These traps are designed in a way to safely capture a muskrat without harming or killing it. More advanced traps are designed for immediate carry and relocation. Your wildlife control operator will use particular types of muskrat-specific bait to attract muskrats to the traps, such as fruits and vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and apples, or even aniseed (anise). They will also know how to tactfully position the trap for the highest chances of success.

Muskrat Repellent

After your trusted wildlife control operator has successfully caught and removed the local nuisance muskrats that have been disturbing your property, you can take matters into your own hands with some animal-proofing work. Not only can you fill muskrat den holes with heavy rocks and lower the level of your pond by 2 feet in the winter, but you can also make your own, non-toxic animal repellent!

This can help abate future muskrat activity. Get yourself a large plastic spray bottle and fill it 3/4^th of the way with clean water. Then add putrescent egg, capsaicin oil, and cayenne. Spray the solution around the perimeter of your property or in areas where muskrats like to hang out. Be sure to keep children and pets away from treated areas.

Are you looking for trusted, professional assistance with nuisance wildlife like muskrats and beavers? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for licensed and insured muskrat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Beaver Removal and Control Tips for Indiana Residents

Posted on August 11, 2021 by modernwild

Beavers are one of the more fascinating animals that are native to Indiana. Not only do beavers mate for life, choosing only one partner until death do them part, but they are also nature’s most magnificent architects, building complex and sophisticated dams that stand up to inclement weather and potential predators. But as fascinating as beavers are, these common semi-aquatic rodents are also known to be quite a nuisance to property owners and real estate developers across the state.

If you are dealing with nuisance beaver activity in or around your premises, consider using these effective beaver removal and control tips to get rid of beavers, safely and humanely.

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How to Get Rid of Beavers in Indiana

Beavers are part of the Rodentia order, giving them an exceptional set of chompers that allow them to feed off of the bark, twigs, and leaves, but they will also eat fruit and vegetables. This behavior is known to kill trees and shrubbery and destroy gardens. Beaver behaviors are also known to cause riverbank flooding, foundational issue, landscape damages, underground utility damage, and much more.

Beavers are obviously a huge liability to have in or around your property as a proprietor, homeowner, or real estate developer. So, it is in your best interest to abate beaver activity to the best of your ability without damaging the environment nor causing any harm to the local wildlife. Here are some tips to help you achieve this goal:

Environmental Modification

There is a reason why you have the beaver problem on or nearby your property. There is something or many things that beavers are attracted to, whether that be the river or stream you live near, food sources, shelter sources, or something similar that protects them and their quality of life. Although you cannot change the location of a river or stream, there are certain strategies you can use to keep beavers in check and away from your property.

One effective method is environmental modification. For beavers, this may involve setting up perimeter fencing made of chicken wire or galvanized metal, installing automatic sprinkler systems that are motion triggered, removing any nearby Poplar trees which are their favorite to munch on, relocating gardens farther away from primary beaver locations, and similar animal-proofing strategies. If you plan to use fencing, be sure it is at least 3 feet high and 18 inches under the ground.

Beaver Traps

Another safe and humane way to get rid of the beaver on your property is to set up a Catch-and-Release beaver trap. Never use a lethal beaver trapping method. Beavers are still an essential part of our Eco-system and should never be harmed under any circumstances. When choosing bait for your beaver trap, go with some leaves or twigs of a Poplar tree, as these are their favorite to feed on. If you can get your hands on Poplar branches, purchase some Polar tree oil, and then sprinkle a few drops on top of some corn, fruit, or soybean plans. Beavers love these things too. Then simply place the trap a pathway that the beaver uses.

Professional Beaver Control Services

As a home or property owner, it is not expected for you to have all of the necessary resources and innovative technologies that work against nuisance beaver activity. For this reason, it is strongly encouraged to enlist the services of a professional Indianapolis critter control company that works with beavers in Indiana. They retain the proper permits, licensing, training, and equipment to safely get rid of beavers without leaving an impact on the local environment or surrounded wildlife.

Are beavers disturbing, damaging, or threatening your Indiana property? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for prompt animal trapping and removal services for beavers. We serve commercial and residential clients with economical prices and superior craftsmanship.

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Fun Facts About Beavers in Indiana
Nuisance Animals to Watch Out for in Indiana
How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Animal Repellent Spray

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Important Facts About Muskrat Removal and Control

Posted on March 12, 2021 by modernwild

If you live near a pond or some other form of marshy land, you likely have a nearby muskrat population. For this reason, it is important to take certain precautions around your home to abate and control possible nuisance muskrat activity or animal damages. Continue below to learn what you need to know about muskrats, including important information about managing local muskrat populations.

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Muskrats Live Near Ponds and Marshy Bodies of Water

Is your house or property located near marshes or wetlands? How about a nearby pond or bumbling stream? If so, your location is a prime spot for muskrat living. This is due to the fact that muskrats are semi-aquatic mammals and common herbivores. Semi-aquatic refers to their dual land and water lifestyle, while herbivorous means they eat plant and vegetable matter; although some have been known to eat small fish, frogs, snails, and other invertebrates.

Muskrats tend to build lodges or huts on or very close by the banks of such bodies of water, constructing them out of vegetation, mud, and sticks, which is very similar to beaver dams. Other muskrats actually burrow into the banks and seawalls, which is a common source of serious property damages, like flooding. For these reasons, many proper owners mistake muskrats for beavers; although both are equally serious nuisance animal problems to have.

The Importance of Muskrat Control

Large muskrat populations reside here in Indiana, as well as bordering Ohio and Michigan. If you live near wetlands of any sort, you should take precautions around your property to protect yourself from nuisance animal exposure and damages. Muskrats are known to be destructive if not properly controlled through safe environmental modification sciences and exclusion methods.

Otherwise, unmitigated muskrat activity can cause massive landscape flooding, underground utility damages, poor soil composition, and even have a negative impact on the structural and biochemical integrity of the body of water they are inhabiting. This is usually accomplished by destroying banks and seawalls, which can eventually collapse and lead to further unnatural erosion. They also like to dig holes in dams and dikes, and tunnel through the ground of side banks, all of which causes massive destruction to the surrounding structures and environment.

For these reasons and more, local muskrat activity must be safely and humanely controlled. How do you get rid of muskrats? Well, the answer lies in environmental modification and professional wildlife abatement services. For starters, if you have an out-of-control muskrat population on your property, you will need muskrat trapping and removal services. From there, you will need to implement the proper strategies to thwart further muskrat activity on your premises, which your professional muskrat removal and control specialist can help you with.

Do you have too many muskrats on your property? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 to get rid of muskrats in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with safe and affordable wild animal trapping and animal damage cleanup services.

You Should Read:

How to Get Rid of Muskrats
How to Tell if You Have Nuisance Animal Problems
Fun Facts About Beavers in Indiana

How to Get Rid of Muskrats

Posted on May 29, 2020 by modernwild

If you live near a slow-moving or standing body of water, such as a pond or creek, it is very likely that you have spotted a muskrat or two before. These rodents, although cute as a button and closely resembles your kid’s pet guinea pig, they are highly destructive to lawns this time of year.

Continue reading to learn some common signs of a muskrat problem, and what you can do to safely stop them from damage your property from now on.

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Top Signs That Suggest Muskrats are Nearby

The most common sign that muskrats are invading your premises are dirt mounds. If you see large clumps of dirt in your lawn, particularly close to the water’s edge or bank, it is likely that a muskrat has dug that up. These semi-aquatic creatures are known for building their dens near the banks of slow-moving or standing bodies of water. In the process, they dig up large mounds of lawn while burrowing into these banks. As a result, your lawn looks like it has tiny land mines buried all over the place.

Garden Protection

In some cases, muskrats can also pose problems for gardens. They will wander a bit further away from the safe haven of their water source if there are lush gardens to rummage through. Muskrats are omnivores just like us, which means they eat a variety of foods, from meats and grains, to fruits, vegetables, legumes, and more. So, whatever you have growing in the garden for you will also be a tasty treat for an invasive muskrat.

Tips for Mitigating Muskrat Activity

If you have done some research on the topic already, you have probably come across muskrat traps for sale. Although these devices and products are sold, the wildlife intervention industry highly advises AGAINST using them. Nuisance wild animals like muskrats should never be touched, trapped, tampered, harmed, or killed under any circumstances unless the proper permits are in order and all state and federal laws governing wildlife control are obeyed. This means that only a professional wildlife removal and control company should mange nuisance muskrat problems for homeowners.

If you notice signs of muskrat damage, your first and only step is to contact a licensed and insured wildlife removal and control company for safe and humane extraction and exclusion. They will safely extract any muskrats, and then implement the necessary steps to prevent further wildlife intrusion on your property.

Indianapolis Muskrat Removal and Control Services

Call Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for safe and humane wildlife removal and control services for muskrats in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured animal control professionals with decades of experience in the wildlife removal industry. Our professional wildlife control operators use safe and humane methods to remove muskrats from properties. For the fastest and most affordable muskrat removal in Indianapolis, call 317-847-6409 and talk to a licensed wildlife control specialist today.