Muscovy Duck Appearance
The most recognizable trait of Muscovy ducks is the bumpy black or red skin growths on their faces, known as caruncles. Additional attributes include a graceful bill that slopes up the forehead, black plumage with white markings, and enlarged talons with sharp claws. Males can grow to almost three feet in length and weigh fifteen pounds, while females tend to be shorter and weigh only eight pounds. Additionally, the bodies of these big birds can take on purple or greenish hues when light reflects from their feathers.
Habitat
In the United States, Muscovy ducks are found across Florida, as well as south Texas near the Rio Grande Valley. They generally live in forested wetlands and can be seen around ponds, swamps, and rivers. Deforestation has forced these tree-nesting birds to seek shelter within the confines of private properties. Houses in the Southern U.S. near lagoons or other bodies of water may encounter property damage as the result of these pests foraging for acorns, insects, and fruit. Due to their long necks and large bodies, the Muscovy duck often may look like a goose while flying or seen from afar.
Issues with Muscovy Ducks
Muscovy ducks are aggressive and have been known to bite while interacting with humans. Furthermore, they are capable of passing bird flu to people, a disease that carries a 60 percent mortality rate. Traveling in flocks, the pests are not particularly noisy, but their presence can also take away from the serenity of a yard. Droppings left behind by these nuisances can add up quickly, causing issues while mowing the lawn or doing other yard work. It's generally best to keep away from Muscovy duck infestations and leave their removal up to the professionals at Critter Control.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
Quicklinks