Facts & Information
What are Muskrats?
Muskrats are small semi-aquatic rodents with glossy brown fur and a hairless tail. The muskrat gets its name from its rat-like appearance and a musky odor produced by its scent glands. Muskrats are excellent swimmers and love water. They build their dens in or alongside ponds or stream banks. Floating pieces of cattails or duckweed on the surface of the water are key indicators of muskrat feeding. Eroded shorelines are also another sign of muskrat activity. Muskrats are about 1-2 feet in length and weigh around 2-5 pounds.
Why Do I Have Them?
Muskrats are primarily outdoor pests. They do not enter houses. A muskrat can cause more damage than any other animal we deal with. They can single-handedly destroy an entire pond’s shoreline with their burrowing, causing thousands of dollars in property damage. Muskrats should be removed from your property immediately upon discovery.
Treatment & Control
How Do I Get Rid of Muskrats?
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control specializes in muskrat removal. We are one of the very few animal control companies that handle muskrat problems. Our wildlife specialists use a combination of traps and baits to effectively remove any muskrats from your pond and property. Our company believes in humane animal control, but unfortunately, we can not relocate muskrats. They are among the few animals we have to euthanize when caught.
Breeding Season
The breeding season for muskrats occurs from April to September. A muskrat can produce up to 5 litters a year, with 1-11 young in each litter. Baby muskrats are born only 30 days after the gestation period and are on their own in 3-4 weeks.
Where Do Muskrats Live?
Muskrats are common in Wisconsin, especially where there is water. They usually inhabit wetlands with an abundant supply of aquatic vegetation. Muskrats build dens with multiple chambers in banks or lodges in the water.
What Do Muskrats Eat?
Muskrats are omnivores. They feed primarily on aquatic plants, such as cattails, water lilies, and duckweeds. They will also eat snails, frogs, and fish.