Beavers, the largest rodent in North America, are common across Kentucky. They live in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, swamps, drainage ditches, and spots with plenty of trees or woody plants. These half-water mammals usually weigh 30 to 80 pounds (adults average 35 to 60 pounds) and measure 3 to 4 feet long, including their flat, paddle-shaped tails. They have webbed back feet, waterproof fur, and big orange front teeth for chewing. Beavers are mostly active at night, live in family groups, and build dams, lodges, or dens along banks for safety and storing food. They eat mainly tree bark, leaves, twigs, water plants, and crops like corn or soybeans. In nature, beavers are key players—they create wetlands that boost wildlife diversity, clean water, and provide homes for other animals. But their building and eating habits often cause big problems for people.Beavers create major issues with their dam-building and foraging, especially near water. Their dams block streams, ditches, or culverts, flooding roads, forests, farms, lawns, septic systems, and homes. This can wash out roads or pollute wells. Beavers chew rings around trees and cut them down (often 3 to 4 inches thick, sometimes bigger), harming timber, fruit trees, decorative plants, and crops like corn or soybeans. Their burrowing in banks or levees leads to erosion and unstable ground. Beavers can spread diseases like tularemia, giardia (known as beaver fever), or rabies through dirty water or bites. Flooded spots can also breed mosquitoes or create drowning risks. These problems grow as beaver numbers rise from human development taking over habitats, with more complaints in central and western Kentucky. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!