Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Organic weed whacker?

Something is cutting tall grass around the edge of my BOW. Most of the grass is left in the water, within a foot or two of the shoreline.

Only tall grass, very little else seems affected. No problem for the fish, just adds a bit more fertility. But what the heck does that?

PS I have loads of deer. One tree was gnawed by a beaver in the past, but there is no sign of that rascally rodent now.

The last time I saw what u describe it was a beaver and he was using the clippings to build his nest or to cover his entrance into the hole dug into the dam. I would take a slow boat ride along the shoreline and look for a place he is making his new home. His entrance will be just under the water but the clipping will be neatly laid on or near the shore to hide the opening.

Thanks, Tracy. I know a beaver has been in the area, but haven't seen an entrance to a lodge. Will have to take a closer look!

One oddity: Tree taken down, but almost all of it just left on land. Also, grass clippings have been present in several areas, including at upper forage pond. Weird...

when I first saw all the plant clippings floating around my pond, I thought what the heck is causing it? I saw them for a week or so before I found the beavers entrance into the dam. There was some small limbs in a corner and I thought it had just wind blown to that corner. But when I saw the plant clipping laid out so neatly across some of those limbs, I knew something was going on but I had never seen a beavers nest being built into the soil of a dam before. Had it not been for the clippings I might not have seen the beavers home till much later.

Tracy
I also see plant clippings floating in my pond. So far no digging in dam yet.
Saw some invasive lily pads starting back in the flooded timber, not to worry - beaver whacked them for me. Also some kind of reed that has taken over a neighbors pond had started- again my organic weed whacker took care of them also.... so far so good. Won't bother him till he starts to damage the dam..they will scare the cr.. out of you when they slap the water with their tail! Lol

Muskrats will take down small willows, and they also leave plants floating around. If a sizable tree was cut, a beaver has been there.

I might not complain if I had something removing all the willows. I have to "attempt" to control those willows every few months.

I had one willow about 6" diameter and it chopped it down. I'm glad . It also took out sweet gums near the water.... I don't care for sweet gums either. So far so good

Pat, being a friend of Bill D should temper you so as to nothing should scare ya.

Anybody know a trapper? Just in case my weed whacker starts whacking the wrong stuff...

Ain't it so!
Lol

A .22 mag works just fine but let's hope that ain't needed

I have rip rap along dam, roughly 3 feet above and 3 feet below normal water level. Wonder if that might affect a beaver's choice of home?

Bet they leave it alone- especially if large rocks

Frank, I am no trapper but have trapped 1 really large beaver and 4 River Otters. In the beginning, most of my trapping knowledge came from Highflyer. Brian taught me somethings about trapping varmints from around the pond. If you are interested in learning and you are not in a big hurry, I would be happy to help u look for and set up some traps. Bass pro shop has two trappers a father and son who work in the hunting dept and will also give u some advice on traps and such. Right now I am living with a Kidney stone and some major back pain, but if you are willing to wait till I get back on my feet then we will get er done so to speak