How to Attract Beavers

Beavers target trees while it is dark, with the capability of cutting down whole trees in a single night. They can also flood areas with their dams, which can cause problems for home owners and the surrounding areas. If they have become a nuisance in your area, there are some tricks you can implement to attract them to certain areas so you can trap them. You don't have to kill them to get rid of them; if you use live traps, the animals can also be relocated to a safer, more suitable place.

Things You'll Need

  • Twigs
  • Poplar oil or castor
  • Beaver trap
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather some twigs and small branches of trees in the area that the beavers prey upon. Poplar is a common tree that beavers feed on. Use 6 to 8 inch twigs that are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter.

    • 2

      Place 5 to 10 drops of poplar oil on the sticks. Reapply the oil every 3 or 4 days. Keep reapplying the oil until you get some beaver activity. An alternative to poplar oil is beaver castor. This is a territorial beaver scent. Castor works best in winter and spring, but can be used year round

    • 3

      Place a beaver trap nearby but don't use it quite yet. They have to get used to it. After a few days, place some twigs with poplar oil or castor inside the trap. Check the trap daily.