Ok so private pond, in the city... cant shoot it(unless u think my air rifle is sufficent) I do have a bow and a buddy wiwth a bow with a bow fish'n rig. This thing is DESTROYING our big nice trees. what are your suggestion. i only see it at night is spotlighting it basically my only chance??? or is there another way? trap it mabey? what bait? please help ASAP

Try mixing sand and paint together then paint the base of each tree in the area up to five feet above ground. Beavers don't like sand in their mouth and color does not matter. I've never tried this because I shoot my problem beavers. You still need to remove your water rats because they will dig a hole in your dam and then you have a way bigger problem. I hope this helps.

For the rats get a couple #1 Longspring traps and set where they are coming out of the pond feeding on vegetation...As for the beavers the cheapest way is to buy some Snares and try and snare them...It's not hard at all...I trapped when I was a kid all the time....Be sure to check the regulations here in Texas first. I know in Arkansas there is a spring season for beaver and rats...But if they are a nuisance then you can get a permit to remove them...If you need any help PM me�
Oh and no bait in needed..Use blind sets...

Go buy a big steel trap and set it at the base of the tree. That should do it.

I personally wouldn�t set any beaver traps on land at all, if you set a foothold, snare or body trap, I would recommend setting them in the water. On the snare and steel foothold I would make them into a drowning set....If you get a beaver in a foothold trap on land the chances of holding that beaver until you check it is slim, it will either pull out, chew its foot off or pull the stake up....The cheapest and easiest way is a snare...You can buy a dozen for around 15 dollars....Steel trap big enough for a beaver would have to be at least a #5 and it will cost you around 15 dollars each. Same thing for the rats, I would make drowning sets....And if you miss a beaver or catch one and it gets out your going to have a tough time catching it again. A trap shy beaver is one of the hardest animal to catch..

Ok try this link it has all info that you will need. http://www.beaversolutions.com/tree_protection.asp

This should do the trick!

http://www.barrett.net/firearms/model82a1

Be sure to add a silencer.

I like the trapping approach as described by MP/HOG....under the constraint of no firearms.

I've had nutria, otters, and beavers from time to time in ponds and have found they do not at all like to be harrased with fire arms. The louder the better. Even if you miss one but can come close, they don't like it...make them very uncomfortable day after day and they will usually move on to a more peaceful existance...works for me.