Duck and Coot Problems? There is a Solution!
Waterfowl Problems
Excessive waterfowl populations cause water quality concerns, damage property, and may create a health risk to humans. Waterfowl, ducks, coots and geese, are natural inhabitants of our nation's waters. In nature, waterfowl numbers are kept in check by predators and limits to their food supply. Man-made lakes and ponds do not offer any natural checks on waterfowl populations; hence their numbers explode. Man often compounds the problem of waterfowl over-population by feeding them. Wild waterfowl should be discouraged from inhabiting our man-made lakes and ponds for their own good. If excessive numbers are already present, removal options are available.
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| Here are two wild mallard drakes. When left alone, waterfowl such as these, are valued wildlife on almost any lake or pond. |
Water Quality Concerns
In a recent test, ten coots were captured off of a golf course in Southern California. The coots were placed in a cage for 24 hours with only fresh water to drink. Prior to capture, the coots were observed feeding on golf course greens for 48 hours. 1kg of coot droppings was recovered from the coot cage after 24 hours. The droppings were analyzed and were found to contain high levels of water polluting nutrients.
Each coot excretes approximately 1/4 pound of waste per day. Ducks and Geese, which are larger birds, drop more. This means that 21 coots or ducks will drop over 2,000 pounds of feces into a lake in one year. That is a lot of manure and nutrients for a small man-made lake to absorb.
The most common and degrading type of pollution entering our lakes and ponds are nutrients. Excessive amounts of nutrient, cause undesirable algae blooms, fish kills, increase organic sedimentation, a reduction of clarity and generally degrade overall water quality.
Nutrients enter a lake or pond from a variety of different
sources including, fertilizer laden runoff from the over watering
of landscape and agricultural areas, storm water run-off from
streets and natural areas, decomposition of leaves and landscape
clippings, ground-water, rainfall, lake sediments, domestic animals,
septic tanks, and waterfowl.
Reducing the amount of nutrients entering our lakes and ponds
is one of the greatest challenges we, as lake managers, face.
The introduction of nutrients by man into our lakes and ponds
is one of the most degrading forms of pollution. Most of the
problems caused by nutrient pollution are not immediately obvious,
but slowly degrade the quality of our water over long periods
of time. Excessive waterfowl populations on manmade lakes and
ponds are major contributors to poor water quality.
Property Damage
Excessive waterfowl populations also cause more obvious damage to properties surrounding man-made lakes and ponds. Waterfowl droppings damage dock surfaces, boats, and golf course greens. Waterfowl foraging can deplete areas of turf grass and vegetation, which causes erosion and often requires expensive replanting. Increased sidewalk maintenance, pool and beach maintenance are also real costs associated with excessive amounts of waterfowl droppings.
Health Risks
Slip and falls due to walking over slippery waterfowl feces is an obvious problem associated with excessive waterfowl populations. People with sensitive respiratory systems should also avoid areas with high waterfowl numbers, as dust associated with waterfowl feces may compound existing conditions.
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| Too many coots on a pond contribute to water pollution, turf depletion, and create erosion problems. | People coming to
visit their passed loved ones are often met with vast numbers of waterfowl, and piles of waste. |
Waterfowl Deserve Our Respect
Waterfowl, ducks, coots and geese, are natural inhabitants of our nation's waters. In North America, many species of waterfowl breed in the northern regions of our continent. They choose these areas because of the abundance of food, and lack of predators. During the winter months, waterfowl typically migrate to more temperate regions where they can find food and avoid the snow and ice that blanket the northern regions.
Northern waterfowl habitat usually consists of marsh, grassland and tundra. The northern areas are ideal brooding areas because of the lack of predators. Most large flightless predators do not live in the waterfowl breeding areas because there is not enough food to sustain them through the winter when the waterfowl are not there.
Temperate areas where waterfowl spend the winter typically have more predators because of the weather. Predators such as coyotes and fox find food year round, even when waterfowl are not available. Waterfowl migrate back to the northern brooding grounds as soon as the weather cooperates to avoid predation on their young.
Man Upsets the Balance
Man-made lakes and ponds do not offer any natural checks on waterfowl populations; hence their numbers explode. Around most of our man-made lakes and ponds, we provide lush landscaping for aesthetic purposes. We also discourage predators, such as the coyote, from existing near our homes or where we play. Add to this mans overwhelming desire to feed all animals, and you have an attractive artificial waterfowl habitat.
Waterfowl are greedy. They will often eat as long as there is food available. They readily consume large quantities of turf grasses and other types of landscape plants. Waterfowl, especially ducks and geese, readily accept handouts of low nutrition bread from humans.
In the wild, waterfowl are accustomed to foraging for a variety of natural plant material and animal material. Wild waterfowl have adapted to eating their natural and nutritious foods over thousands of years. The feed waterfowl get from man-made environments is of low nutritional value. Foods such as bread are especially bad as they contain empty calories and almost none of the nutritional value waterfowl need. Many waterfowl lose their ability and desire to migrate after being fed by man. They become too fat, and lose their ability to fly long distances. They often become year round residents of man-made waters.
Domestic ducks and geese are also a problem. Larger domestic ducks and geese often breed with their wild cousins, causing "cross-breeds". "Cross-breeds" often retain the appearance of their wild cousins, but they are incapable of long flight. Diseases such as, avian botulism and a form of avian herpes virus are often passed from domestic waterfowl to wild flocks. Cross breeding also thins out the natural species.
Discourage Excessive Waterfowl Populations
There are many ways to prevent waterfowl overpopulation problems. Establish rules and regulations that make your lake less desirable to waterfowl. Modify the habitat around your lake so that it does not attract more waterfowl. Use all available non-lethal means discourage waterfowl from making your lake or pond their permanent home.
Post "No Feeding" signs around your lake. Publish articles or letters to discourage feeding and to educate about the problem. Establish penalties or ordinances against feeding. Modify the habitat around your lake so that it does not attract more waterfowl. Plant grasses that die off in winter (Bermuda Grass) in place of Rye Grass (Rye remains green in winter and attracts waterfowl) or Blue Grass. Reduce the amount of weeds that you have in your lake or pond through sound management practices.
Use all available non-lethal means to discourage waterfowl from making your lake or pond their permanent home. Use barriers such as; snow fencing, hedges and natural barriers to discourage waterfowl from entering certain areas. Harass or haze the waterfowl by using dogs, balloons, scarecrows, and noisemaking devices. There are also some commercially available repellants available that prevent waterfowl from feeding on turf.
Removal/Relocation
Removal and relocation of excessive numbers of waterfowl may be the last resort. Depending on local laws and regulations, entire populations of wild ducks or geese may be captured and relocated, usually to a different flyway. Unfortunately, coot relocation permits are almost never granted. Domesticated ducks and geese can often be relocated to private farms, or to lakes where they are welcomed.
Non-lethal methods of capture include herding the waterfowl
into enclosures, use of "net cannons", and use of sedatives.
All of these methods are legal and humane. The capture of waterfowl
should only be done by experienced and licensed professionals,
after all of the necessary permits are in possession.
To request more information please click here or call:
| Animal Pest Management Services,
Inc. (800)344-6567 (909)591-9551 FAX (909)590-1435 |
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Serving all of southern california with four locations! |
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| Corporate Office: 13655 Redwood Court Chino, California 91710 |
Orange County Office:
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| Riverside County PMB 446 31855 Date Palm Drive Cathedral City, California 92234-3100 |
Los Angeles/Ventura County 3541 Old Conejo Road Suite 115 Thousand Oaks, California 92360 |
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