Beavers today are found throughout all of the North American continent. Here in Ohio, biologists believe beavers are present in almost every county. Given their largesize and the limited amount of time they spend away from the protection of water, adult beavers have relatively few natural predators. Because of the low natural mortality and an abundance of suitable habitat, Ohio's resident beaver population currently is expanding, but the exact statewide population has not been estimated. Because human populations continue to expand into more rural areas where beavers are more prevalent, humans are encountering beavers more often than ever before. Thus, as beaver populations continue to expand into new habitats, many residents will be looking for ways to control the damage caused by beavers 

Because human populations continue to expand into more rural areas where beavers are more prevalent, humans are encountering beavers more often than ever before. Thus, as beaver populations continue to expand into new habitats, many residents will be looking for ways to control the damage caused by beavers.

Physical damage caused by beavers in the Southeast is estimated in the millions of dollars annually. Examples of this damage include timber and agricultural crop loss, damage to roads, septic systems and other property by flooding, and destruction of ornamental plants used in landscaping.

A beaver may consume up to 20-30 oz. of food per day (about equal to the bark and smaller branches of a 2-inch diameter tree every 2 days). They consume a wide variety of aquatic plants and trees, including pine, red cedar, willow, alder, tulip poplar, red maple, dogwood, sweet gum, beech, and others that grow near water. During spring and summer, beavers consume mostly grasses, sedges, rushes, some farm crops (e.g., soybeans, corn), and the succulent new growth of small bushes. As winter approaches, they switch more to woody material.

To reduce the potential for damage to personal property, precautions should be taken before a beaver develops an interest in your property. As with most wildlife damage problems, no single technique exists that will provide absolute protection from beaver depredations. However, certain measures that are initiated in a timely fashion, maintained properly, and applied with an understanding of the habits or behaviors of beavers can reduce the likelihood of significant damage.  

People residing within the beaver's range (primarily owners of shoreline property) should recognize that beavers are clever and persistent animals and they may be able to circumvent some of the control techniques mentioned below. Therefore, anyone affected by beavers must be willing to implement a comprehensive management strategy involving multiple techniques

Ro-pel® would be most effective when used at the first indication of beaver presence or in areas where beavers are most actively feeding. However, as is true with many other repellents, frequent reapplication may be required to maintain best results.Non-lethal controls used to deter beavers can be expensive and require substantial investment of time by a landowner to put them into use. Examples include the use of fencing and water leveling devices.