Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Although the muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus, is native throughout most of the United States and has been a mainstay of the fur business, in recent years it has become a serious pest causing extensive damage to some specific crops, as well as to earthen water-holding structures. Damage caused by muskrats to rice crops, food fish, and bait fish reservoirs In Arkansas was estimated in 1967 to be almost $900,000. A control program begun in October 1967, directed principally at muskrat control, proved a significant aid in reducing damage. This program provided Arkansas farmers and landowners with practical, effective methods and techniques which could be utilized by them or their labor force to control or eliminate damage attributable to muskrat depredation.