Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) are dark-plumaged with long necks and red or warty facial skin. That being said, they have a distinctive look that makes them easy to identify. They have strong claws and they spend a lot of time perched in tall trees where they make their nests for their young.
Muscovy duck populations can be found in areas of the United States like Texas and Florida. They enjoy living in wooded areas or near swamps, making a state like Florida a great place for them to call home. They are important to the environment, as they control populations of aquatic vegetation and animals.
Muscovy ducks are protected under Florida’s anti-cruelty statute. However, they are not protected under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service laws because they were originally domesticated animals, instead of wild ones.
Muscovy ducks can be aggressive towards humans and cause property damage. As a result, they can be a huge nuisance if they are living in your yard. Thankfully, nuisance wildlife trappers can help you with Muscovy duck control in Florida.
Are There Muscovy Ducks in Florida?
Muscovy ducks are not a native species in Florida. However, they are native to Mexico, as well as Central and South America. They were introduced to Florida to enhance the aesthetic of parks in the city in the 1960s.
Since Muscovy ducks are not native to Florida, they are regulated as Class III Wildlife. You have to have a permit to possess them for exhibition or sale.
Now, you can find wild Muscovy ducks throughout Florida. They are commonly found in cities like Jacksonville, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Orlando. Muscovy ducks like to live near water sources, like riverbanks, streams, man-made ponds, swamps, and even lagoons.
What Attracts Muscovy Ducks to Your Yard?
If you live in Florida, you might notice Muscovy ducks in your yard. The main thing that attracts these birds to human property is a water source. If you have a pond in your yard, you can expect Muscovy ducks to begin coming onto your property.
Muscovy ducks also like aquatic plants like water lilies. They might be more inclined to come into your yard if you have tall grass where they feel safe to build their nests. Unfortunately, Muscovy ducks can become aggressive if they feel threatened, especially if they have their babies around them.
Aggressive ducks are never fun to be around. If you are dealing with angry Muscovy ducks, you might be wondering how to get rid of them.
Anti-cruelty laws protect Muscovy ducks, so you should not attempt to kill them. Instead, call a wildlife removal company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers to trap and relocate them.
How Does Muscovy Duck Removal Work in Florida?
Trapping Muscovy ducks can be very difficult, requiring specialized traps that only professional wildlife companies have access to. As a result, you should always contact a company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers when you are dealing with a Muscovy duck problem.
Additionally, if you were to relocate the ducks yourself, you could be heavily fined. This is because they are not native to Florida, and bringing them to a different location could disrupt an entire ecosystem. When companies remove ducks from your property, they are likely taking them to an animal sanctuary that accepts Muscovy ducks specifically.
Nuisance Wildlife Rangers will use specialized traps like funnel traps to catch the Muscovy ducks on your property. Once they have been captured, they will be relocated to an animal sanctuary. Then, we will provide you with tips and tricks to prevent Muscovy ducks from returning to your yard.
We serve the entire state of Florida, frequently removing Muscovy ducks from cities like:
- Boca Raton
- Bradenton
- Brandon
- Cape Coral
- Clearwater
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Delray Beach
- Dunedin
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Hollywood
- Largo
- Marco Island
- Miami
- Naples
- Palm Beach
- Parkland
- Plant City
- Punta Gorda
- Safety Harbor
- St. Petersburg
- Tampa
- Temple Terrace
- West Palm Beach
By contacting Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, you can rest assured that your duck problem will be taken care of. We will keep you and the ducks safe by using a humane and ethical approach to trapping, removal, and relocation.
Preventing Muscovy Ducks From Returning to Your Property
It can be difficult to prevent ducks from using your yard as a home. If you have a water feature like a pond, ducks will be attracted to your property. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to make Muscovy ducks less likely to congregate in your yard.
Tips for preventing Muscovy ducks from returning to your property include:
- Allowing your dogs to stay outside during part of the day time, as ducks will steer clear from predators
- Placing decoys like fake coyotes near your water features to scare off the ducks
- Keeping sprinklers on to startle the ducks away from your yard
- Scattering mirrors around your pond to make the ducks think that other ducks already live there
- Using pool covers when you are not swimming
- Using sound deterrents that are motion activated, going off when the ducks land in your yard, garden, or near your pond
If you have an ongoing problem with Muscovy ducks, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is here to help. We have years of experience in controlling nuisance animals on client’s properties across the state of Florida. Whether you are dealing with two or 20 ducks, we can help you regain control over your property.
Get Connected to a Muscovy Duck Removal Company
If you are looking for a Muscovy duck removal company, you’ve come to the right place. Nuisance Wildlife Rangers can trap, remove, and relocate Muscovy ducks ethically and humanely. We will also ensure to bring them to a sanctuary instead of releasing them back into an environment where they are considered invasive.
Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is one of the largest, privately owned companies, in Florida, which offers professional wildlife and animal removal. We have been in existence for the last 5 years and we provide exceptional wildlife removal services.
Contact us today to learn more about how Muscovy duck control works in the state of Florida.