Nutria Removal & Control

Nutria or coypu—a semi-aquatic rodent—is commonly mistaken for an otter, muskrat, or small beaver. The beaver rat, swamp beaver or spiny rat, as it is sometimes called, is an invasive species introduced to North American from South America. It is known to transmit diseases to people and animals through contact with contaminated water. Nutria weigh up to 20 pounds and can attack people and pet dogs if threatened. They eat large amounts of vegetation, as much as a quarter of its body weight every day. They consume plant stems, leafy matter, roots, tubers and tree bark, disrupting the habitat for other animals in marshes, wetlands and swamp lands. Nutria often damage lawns and commercial crops, too.