Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Trapping => Topic started by: Hank on February 25, 2015, 12:48:58 AM

Title: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Hank on February 25, 2015, 12:48:58 AM: So, I have a question about the little red parasitic beetles that live on beavers. If I were to accidentally carry some in from the fur shed on my clothes or boots will they infest my house, my dog, or my family? I am hoping they will just die. Does anyone have any insights?

Thank you in advance,

Hank
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: 3nails on February 25, 2015, 04:53:42 AM: I pay no attention to them and have never had a problem. My son would be infested with them if they transferred to humans. He's the beaver packer.
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 25, 2015, 05:25:49 AM: We all claim to be beaver packers
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Hank on February 25, 2015, 08:20:45 AM: Thank you for the info.
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Turner89 on March 02, 2015, 01:59:59 PM: I ignore them also, but was wondering the same thing. I haven't had a problem yet.
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Cylvertip on March 03, 2015, 01:03:00 PM: Aren't they some type of aquatic animal flea? Amber brown in color - I assume this is the same thing. I have had a couple get on me over the years, but they are pretty easy to feel crawling on you. Never saw them show up on dogs or cats. I have seen them on Muskrats, Nutria, and beaver.
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Da stump on March 04, 2015, 07:37:29 AM: I have known of a guy that had his haul of beaver and muskrat in the back of his pickup and was sleeping in there while on a trapping trip. He got bit multiple times. Pick your sleeping companions. Not all beaver are good to sleep with. :yike:
Title: Re: Beaver Beetles
Post by: Humptulips on March 11, 2015, 12:18:00 AM: I have never known them to bite and had them in my hair many times. They will die shortly on a human but they can drive you nuts for a while. I always used to carry a comb with fine teeth so I could comb them out when they got in my hair.
They actually live off the dead skin on a beaver so don't even bite beavers.
Interestingly on my recent trip to E WA I never saw a one on any beaver. They are positively crawling with them on the west side.