Woodchuck or Beaver: Identifying the Critter Under Your Connecticut Shed or Deck

Woodchuck, Groundhog


Welcome to RF Wildlife, your trusted partner for wildlife control services in Connecticut. If you’ve noticed signs of an animal living under your shed or deck, it’s important to identify the critter to determine the best course of action for removal.

One common misconception is that the animal under your shed or deck is a beaver. While beavers are native to Connecticut, they typically do not live under sheds or decks. Instead, the most likely culprit is the woodchuck, also known as a groundhog.

Identifying the animal is the first step in proper removal. Woodchucks are usually smaller than beavers and have a distinctive, plump body shape. They are also primarily active during the daytime and will retreat to their burrow at night. In contrast, beavers are much larger, with flat tails and webbed feet, and are active primarily during the night.

If you suspect that a woodchuck is living under your shed or deck, it’s important to act quickly. Woodchucks can cause damage to your property by burrowing tunnels and creating holes in your lawn. They can also carry diseases and parasites, posing a risk to your family and pets.

At RF Wildlife, we specialize in humane wildlife removal methods that are safe for both the animals and your property. Our team of experts will inspect the area and determine the best approach for removal, whether it’s through trapping, exclusion, or other methods. We’ll also provide you with tips for preventing future wildlife intrusions, such as sealing off entry points and removing potential food sources.

Don’t let a woodchuck or any other wildlife critter under your shed or deck cause damage to your property or put your family at risk. Contact RF Wildlife today for expert wildlife control services in Connecticut. Call us if you have noticed a beaver under your shed or a beaver under your deck as well, as we offer solutions for them too. Other wildlife that can be the cause of digging under shed or deck are Skunks, Fox and Opossum.

photo of a beaver
Photo by Andrew Patrick on Pexels.com

Beaver in Connecticut

Beavers are large semi-aquatic rodents that are native to Connecticut and are known for their impressive ability to build dams, lodges, and canals. These habitats created by beavers provide valuable ecosystem services, such as water filtration, flood control, and increased biodiversity. However, in certain circumstances, beavers can cause significant nuisance problems for Connecticut residents.

Beaver are Often Confused with Woodchuck

Beavers have a stocky, robust body, short legs, and webbed hind feet. They have a flat paddle-like tail, which they use to steer and to slap the water as an alarm signal. Their fur is dark brown, and they have large, protruding front teeth that never stop growing. Beavers can grow up to 4 feet in length and weigh between 35-60 pounds. They are primarily active at night and are herbivores, consuming leaves, bark, twigs, and aquatic vegetation.

Native Habitat: Beavers are native to Connecticut and can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats such as streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Beavers prefer slow-moving or still water and build their dams to create deeper water, which they use to access their lodge or food cache.

Beaver Digging under Shed isn’t really a Problem in CT

Nuisance Problems: While beavers are a valuable species in many ways, they can cause significant nuisance problems in certain situations. One of the most common problems that Connecticut residents face with beavers is damming of culverts or streams, which can cause flooding and road damage. Beavers can also cause significant property damage by chewing down trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. In some cases, beavers can even chew through wooden structures such as decks, sheds, and fences.

Beaver Under Shed or Deck is Rare

In addition to property damage, beavers can also cause public health concerns. Standing water created by beaver dams can become stagnant and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Beavers are a fascinating and important species in Connecticut’s ecosystem, but they can also cause significant nuisance problems for residents. If you suspect that you have a beaver problem on your property, it is important to seek the help of a professional wildlife control company. A trained technician can help identify the species causing the problem and provide effective and humane solutions to mitigate the damage caused by beavers.

Connecticut Beaver Trapper or Woodchuck Trapper?

In conclusion, if you’re dealing with a critter under your Connecticut shed or deck, it’s important to correctly identify the animal before taking any action. While beavers are known for causing damage with their dams and can be a nuisance in certain areas, it’s more likely that the culprit is actually a woodchuck. Woodchucks are also known for causing damage to gardens and landscaping and can be difficult to remove without the help of a professional wildlife trapper. So, if you’re dealing with a woodchuck under your shed or deck, don’t waste time and money hiring a beaver trapper. Instead, contact a reliable wildlife control company that specializes in woodchuck removal to get the job done right. RF Wildlife 860-510-6313

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