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What is loved and adored by some is considered a nuisance to others. The presence of ducks around the pond or lake in your community can become a heated topic with passionate responses on both sides of the issue. At Nextgen Pest Solutions we solve wildlife issues with respect to a variety of opinions, but most importantly with respect to the animals themselves.
Ducks like many other birds, sometimes enter homes and landscapes to build nests. They damage expensive insulation, wiring, and drywall if they get inside. More often, they accumulate in outdoor areas where they can become quite the annoyance. Ducks tend to congregate near bodies of water, and in the large residential neighborhoods of today, retention ponds, small lakes, and even large pools entice ducks to hang around. Condos and apartment buildings with established duck populations usually have someone that regularly feeds them. With easy access to food and water, and no natural predators around, their numbers increase quite rapidly.
Accumulations of ducks usually leave behind large amounts of urine and fecal matter. If they are used to being hand fed by humans, they may become aggressive. When people wander near their nests, mother ducks will protect her babies with all of her resources. The duck fecal matter that is often left on walkways and walking paths may spread disease such as salmonella, and some species of ducks can transmit the avian flu. As a property owner or manager, if you are aware of these potential dangers to visitors of your property, and do nothing to remedy the danger, you may be held liable, or financially responsible, for any injury or damage incurred by the ducks.
Many species of birds are protected by federal law. To ensure safe, ethical, and legal duck trapping and removal call the professional wildlife trappers at Nextgen Pest Solutions.
Muscovy ducks, also called ditch ducks, were originally illegally released in the United States, and their populations have exploded in urban and suburban areas. Muscovy ducks are omnivores, eating small crustaceans, plants, worms, and insects. However, if given the option of being hand fed by humans, they will gladly take food scattered for them at the park. Muscovy ducks rely upon easy and regular access to water and are almost always found around community lakes and retention ponds. Muscovy ducks have grown quite comfortable living in close proximity to humans which can actually cause conflict between humans and ducks.
Muscovy ducks are prolific breeders. Muscovy ducks can breed 3 times per year, each time laying between 10-16 eggs. Muscovy ducks live for around 10 years in the wild and they begin breeding at around 1 year old. This rapid reproductive rate means a duck problem can spiral out of control quickly.
Muscovy duck trapping and removal requires a multi-faceted approach. What may work well in one community will not work in another. Trapping and removing ducks may cause conflict with residents and we are sensitive to these concerns. Call today to discuss your property layout and your goals. We can put together a program to safely and inconspicuously remove the nuisance ducks and restore your walking paths and water features.
Many species of birds are federally protected and therefore cannot be harassed, threatened, trapped, or their eggs or nest tampered with in many cases. Outside of hunting season and/or a specialized permits issued by some states for the removal of nuisance mallard ducks, these birds are not to be touched.
Traditionally, Florida has been the winter home for migrating mallard ducks. These migrating mallards do not establish large flocks, and tend not to interfere with native species. However, over the years captive reared mallard ducks have been repeatedly released into Florida’s lakes and ponds and they remain year-round. This introduction has produced a hybrid duck as the feral mallards are mating with the native mottled duck. Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission considers domestic mallard ducks a serious threat to native duck species. Scientists fear this hybridization will lead to the extinction of Florida’s mottled duck.
These “domestic” mallard ducks and muscovy ducks often live side by side in Florida’s ponds, canals, and lakes. However, mallard duck trapping and removal is more complicated. Florida Fish and Wildlife encourages the removal of these hybrid ducks. If a mallard duck is obviously a hybrid, then no law prevents its removal. This must be ascertained by plumage colors and lack of metal leg band or other marks of ownership. However, with a permit issued by the state of Florida, feral mallards can be removed.
A thorough understanding of the particular bird and its protected status is necessary before you begin trapping nuisance birds. Consult a professional trapper with knowledge, expertise, and the right equipment for the job.
Accumulations of ducks bring to the forefront issues of civil and criminal liability as well as strong opinions on how they should be dealt with. Partner with Nextgen Pest Solutions for all your duck trapping and removal needs.
