What Does
Muskrat
Removal cost?
How We Price (We Don’t Do Scare Tactics)
Evidence first. You’ll see documented proof of damage and activity.
Options, not pressure. We present good, better, and best solutions with upfront ranges.
Humane by design. Trapping and deterrence follow state wildlife guidelines.
No surprises. We explain what’s needed and what it costs up front — so there are no hidden fees or guesswork later.
Muskrat Removal, Waterway Repair & Prevention — How Pricing Works.
Muskrats are semi-aquatic rodents that burrow into pond banks, ditches, and levees. Their tunneling weakens shorelines, damages culverts, and can cause water loss or collapse around docks and ponds. Because every site differs in terrain and water conditions, pricing depends on access, number of active burrows, and whether the goal is short-term control or long-term repair. Below explains how we approach muskrat work, what affects cost, and what most customers typically spend.
-
1) Small pond or ditch system
• Inspection $75
• Trap setup $325
• One return visit $85
Estimated total: ~$485
2) Moderate shoreline with several tunnels
• Inspection $175
• Trap setup $325
• Three return visits ($85 each) $255
Estimated total: ~$755
3) Pond dam protection / exclusion project
• Inspection $175
• Trap setup $325
• Full exclusion barrier $1,800
• Rock reinforcement $900
Estimated total: ~$3,200
4) High-erosion site / repeated infestation
• Inspection $195
• Trap setup $325
• Four return visits ($85 each) $340
• Water-level control system $850
• Shoreline repair $1,500
Estimated total: ~$3,210
These are examples, not quotes. Your written estimate will reflect your actual site conditions and access needs.
-
• Number and depth of active burrows
• Water depth and accessibility
• Size of shoreline or dam
• Material needed for repair (rock vs. soil)
• Travel distance and terrain
• Equipment or canoe access requirements
• Severity of erosion or leakage
-
• Inspection: $75
• Trapping setup: $325 + $85 per return visit
• Tunnel repair: $350–$900
• Exclusion & shoreline protection: $800–$2,000 typical; $2,000–$4,500+ complex
• Add-ons: rip-rap, culvert screens, water-level devices
No scare tactics. No shortcuts. Just honest, humane muskrat control — protecting your pond and property the right way.
-
Standard inspection (within our service area): $175
What you get:
• Full shoreline and dam inspection by foot or canoe (where needed)
• Identification of burrow openings, feeding slides, and den chambers
• Water depth and erosion assessment
• Photos or drone documentation (when applicable)
• Clear written plan outlining trapping, repair, and prevention options
Why we start here:
Muskrat tunnels often extend several feet into a bank and may not be visible from the surface. A proper inspection determines how extensive the damage is and how to fix it safely without worsening erosion or leaks.
-
Setup package: $325
Return visits: $85 per trip
What’s included:
• Up to 2 traps + 2 cellular monitoring cameras for 24/7 oversight
• Placement along active feeding runs and tunnel entrances
• Daily or instant notification when captures occur
• Humane handling and removal following Virginia wildlife regulations
Why cameras:
Remote monitoring means faster, more efficient service. No guesswork, no neglected traps — and better animal welfare.
-
Ballpark: $350–$900
Once activity stops, we collapse and stabilize the tunnels:
• Verify all animals are gone before any soil work
• Collapse or backfill tunnel systems to prevent reuse
• Compact and stabilize soil or clay as needed
• Photo documentation before and after work
Why it matters:
Muskrat tunnels can undermine banks and cause sudden washouts or sinkholes. Proper repair prevents future erosion and improves water retention.
-
Typical ponds and ditches: $800–$2,000
Large or high-erosion sites: $2,000–$4,500+
What it includes:
• Installing heavy-gauge hardware cloth or rock reinforcement along vulnerable banks
• Lining culvert entrances and drainage points
• Erosion control fabric or riprap where appropriate
• Optional annual monitoring to track new burrow activity
Why people choose this:
Muskrats are seasonal — if conditions stay favorable, new ones will move in. Exclusion work protect the structure itself, not just against one animal.
-
• Culvert reinforcement screen — $300–$600
• Rock/riprap shoreline stabilization — $20–$35 per linear foot
• Soil or clay backfill — $150–$400
• Water-level control pipe installation — $450–$900
We only recommend what’s necessary for long-term stability — not “extra” cleanup or over engineering.
Located in Gretna, VA. We proudly serve most of South-Central Virginia, including Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Martinsville, Appomattox, Halifax, and surrounding areas — with frequent service to Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, and Hardy.