Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Property Projects & Construction Corrective Repair to Pond with Muskrat Damage

Since I have a creek that parallels the length of my pond, Mr. and Mrs. Musk-a-Rat have continually challenged me with their destructive presence.

With holes, tunnels, and some depressions around my pond, what reasonbly priced options does this community have success with to repair the damage and retard more future damage?

Pond is 1.25 acres in size with ~45 degree angled banks with a few areas small shallow areas then into the 45 deg. slope.

Thanks in anticipation!

I've only dealt with a muskrat once and it was soon after the pond was dug. The damage was incredible in a short period of time. Once we got our dog we never had an issue again. That may or may not be an option for you.

As for repairing damage, I happened to have some 1" size smooth rocks on hand and I filled the tunnels and holes with gravel (at the time I didn't know if the muskrat was around and would try to re-excavate the holes again or not). I hoped the rocks would make it less fun to try to dig in or back out of the holes.

If the muskrat are gone I imagine you could just try to backfill the holes that you can still access with dirt?

I bought a trap set for about 100 bucks off amazon ..used a conaber ( spelling) and traped it from its hole. I'm not sure what to do about the hole damage yet though.

First you need to eliminate the problem...

Conibear 110, with stabilizer bracket, the bracket is for easy setting, get the tall ones, 31".

Just set them up at the base of the holes.
I pulled 11 of them out of my pond last fall using this method.

Is the pond convenient to access in the morning? Every morning you will find the rats on the west side of the pond on the bank grooming them self. They are like clocks and will be there every day if they are in the pond. Just donk them with a 22. Its not long clean them up if you are consistent and stick to checking for them.

Depending on the damage I just stuff rocks into their holes and if the bank caves in just top up with soil and re plant grass.

Cheers Don.

The big dummies can't burrow on the long thick side or the pond. They have to burrow on the dike side. Traps with musk on work the best. Took out twelve one year.

Thanks for everyone's input here.

DonnoBBD - wow - I think you hit the nail with your comments. I have seen them on the West side Dam in the morning and a guy stopped by and told me about that too.

Shoveling rocks in the hole and refill with dirt is something I started to employ the past month. Glad to hear that is effective.

I have a guy locked and ready to rock with his traps this Fall.

Hopefully I can get all these synergies to thin the herd and repair the banks.

Thanks again.