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Little Beavers in Reston
 Reston
Association, with the support of Reston’s homeowners,
is committed to conserving the widest diversity of natural
resources and promoting a peaceful coexistence between all
its inhabitants. Beavers are one of Reston’s most conspicuous
residents. While they create wetland habitat for many other
species of wildlife to enjoy, at times their creative engineering
may cause conflicts with other land users.
Characteristics
The beaver
(Castor canadensis) is the largest rodent in our area of North
America. Adults may be 3 to 4 feet long, including their tail,
and weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. Beavers are highly adapted
for aquatic living. They possess a dense fur coat for insulation,
powerful, webbed hind feet for swimming and dexterous front
fee for digging and manipulating materials.
Habitat
Most mammals
leave little sign of their presence, but the opposite is true
for beavers. They are best known for their ability to create
a habitat to suit their needs. The most recognized structure
is the beaver dam. Its purpose is to create a pond to provide
a means to transportation and to protect the underwater entrance
to their lodge.
 To
build a dam, beavers cut small trees or use branches from
larger trees. The cuttings are then dragged or floated to
the dam site, where they are anchored to the bottom and to
each other with stones and mud. The dam is added to until
the size of the pond meets the needs of the beaver. The dams
are not waterproof and require constant attention. High storm
waters will frequently carry away large portions of a dam,
but the beavers are quick to repair the damage. In addition
to the pond, a series of canals may be constructed to allow
safe travel to distant sources of food or to connect ponds
together.
In Fairfax
County, most lodges are burrowed into the soft banks of creeks
or rivers. In the absence of these areas, a lodge of sticks
and mud may be built. Some beavers seem to prefer a bank den,
with the protection of a boat dock. In all cases, the entrance
is below the water surface. The living quarters may shelter
as many as 8 to 10 family members, which typically includes
an adult pair, several yearlings and kits. A litter usually
consists of 4 kits born in mid-spring. Once beavers mature
at the age of 2 or 3, they leave and establish their own territory
in the same or neighboring watershed.
The diet
of the beaver changes with the seasons. In the summer, beavers
feed mainly on leafy green vegetation, especially cattails
and other aquatic plants. As winter approaches, twigs and
bark are the food of choice. Many cuttings are stored under
the water for use during the winter months. Most trees chosen
for food and building are less than 4 inches in diameter,
but beaver will cut many larger trees. At times, beaver will
eat almost any tree species, but tend to prefer aspen, willow
and dogwood.
The
Impact of Beavers
The flooding
of stream valley woodlands leads to the death of trees and
the creation of wetlands. These areas provide habitat for
a large variety of plants and animals. Wood ducks, great blue
herons and kingfishers are among the birds that enjoy these
areas. Wetlands also aid in impounding flood waters and trapping
sediments and nutrients.
The beaver
was eradicated from the territory of Virginia very soon after
European colonization. However, beavers were reintroduced
to Virginia early in this century. Now the beaver is flourishing
in its former range. With the absence of natural predators
and the low amount of trapping for fur, the beaver has met
little resistance to reclaiming its place in now more urbanized
areas.
Beavers
have no awareness of human property and conflicts may occur.
The flooding of pathways and damage to trees and docks are
only a few of the problems which may occur.
Planners,
landowners and policymakers should consider ecological
benefits as well as property damage when developing beaver
control policies. That's according to the results of a
study conducted by the University of Georgia's Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory. Although often considered pests
by landowners, beavers are a "keystone" species–one
whose presence creates a favorable environment for other
wildlife, according to researcher Krista Lee Clements.
Clements found that beavers contribute significantly to
the diversity of bird species in streamside areas by creating
new wetlands, which enhances nesting and feeding opportunities.
Wildlife
is an important part of our community. All residents benefit
from common land, while at the same time assuming a shared
responsibility for wildlife’s well being. RA recognizes
beavers as part of Reston’s wealth, because of their
contributions to the diversity and quality of natural habitat.
When conflicts arise as a result of beavers’ activities,
the significance of the impact on all involved will determine
the actions to be followed.
When
a Conflict Arises
It is
the responsibility of the property owner to take reasonable
steps to exclude problem wildlife from their property. In
the case of the beaver, steps to make trees or shrubs unattractive
or unavailable may be necessary. In addition, steps should
be taken to protect underwater structures as well. Private
property owners should consider the following:
- Repellents
are usually not effective and should not be relied on. Ropel
is one repellent that can be used with limited success
- Sturdy
fencing is the only foolproof means of exclusion. Individual
trees are best wrapped with hardware cloth forming a cylinder,
6 inches away from the turn. Property is best fenced with
welded wire fencing. Both of these materials are available
at local hardware stores
- Metal
sheeting can be applied to underwater parts of bulkheads
to prevent beaver damage to the understructure of boat docks.
In the
event that exclusion is ineffective or impractical, harassment
techniques may be implemented. For beaver, these measures
may include repeated opening of the dam or lodge. This may
force the animals to seek new territory. However, it is against
RA guidelines for private citizens to tamper with dams or
lodges on common grounds.
If exclusion
or harassment techniques prove to be ineffective, then as
a last resort, trapping may be employed to remove the animals.
State regulations control the final disposition of trapped
beavers and opportunities for relocation may be limited.
Reston
Association will provide information, advice, consultation
and referrals if needed. However, RA cannot provide fencing
for each individual homeowner’s property.
For help
in resolving conflicts with beavers or other wildlife, please
contact RA at 703/435-6547.
This fact
sheet and policy statement is in response to past conflicts
with beavers in Reston. While this is not a change in policy,
it reiterates that any action to be taken regarding a conflict
with wildlife will be determined on a case by case basis.
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