Nuisance Wildlife

Raccoons: Our most common neighbor

Iguanas: An invasive species

Florida’s subtropical climate has allowed iguanas to thrive and reproduce in regions of the state where they have been introduced into the wild. Iguanas can be a nuisance to homeowners by damaging landscape plants or gardens, leaving droppings in yards and pools, or causing property damage by digging burrows.

Opossums: The benefits of opossums

Opossums are very beneficial to our ecosystem, they help control the populations of some of our most dangerous pests. Their diet allows them to control the population of ticks, which spread several diseases to humans and our domesticated animals. They also eat snakes, including most of the poisonous species here in Florida thus keeping the population controlled. Their body temperature is too low for the Rabies virus to survive so they are unlikely to carry the disease. Also remember that although opossums are nocturnal animals they will scavenge for food during the day as well.

Muscovy Ducks: An invasive species

Muscovy ducks are considered an invasive species and are not native to Florida. This does not mean that we do not benefit from having them around but this does mean that they cannot be released or relocated into new environments.

Muscovy ducks are omnivorous, feeding on worms, insects, fish and reptiles. They will eat mosquitoes and flies avidly and assist in the ‘pest control’ for the environment.

Notice how bread was not listed above, that is because feeding ducks bread actually causes more harm than good. Ducks fed high calorie diets form digestive issues and a syndrome called “Angel wings”.

Angel wings is a syndrome that affects primarily aquatic birds, such as geese and ducks, in which the last joint of the wing is twisted with the wing feathers pointing out laterally, instead of lying against the body. The syndrome is due to a high-calorie diet, especially one high in carbohydrates such as bread and crackers.

Egyptian Geese: Our migrating visitors

Egyptian geese are native to Africa but have set up a temporary home in regions of the United States. We tend to see their population increase in Florida around the spring months when they fly down from northern states. They start their breeding season in early spring and can have a nest size of 5 to 11 eggs. The male and female raise the young together for the next four months until they are ready to venture off on their own.

Geese molt once a year, normally in the early summer months, and during the molting period they are unable to fly. They molt over four to six weeks and during this time removal becomes a very delicate process. If you are dealing with an issue it is best to deter them before or after the molting period.

Geese are omnivorous, feeding on worms, insects, fish and reptiles. They will eat mosquitoes and flies avidly and assist in the ‘pest control’ for the environment.

Notice how bread was not listed above, that is because feeding geese bread actually causes more harm than good. Geese fed high calorie diets form digestive issues and a syndrome called “Angel wings”. Angel wings is a syndrome that affects primarily aquatic birds, such as geese and ducks, in which the last joint of the wing is twisted with the wing feathers pointing out laterally, instead of lying against the body. The syndrome is due to a high-calorie diet, especially one high in carbohydrates such as bread and crackers.