Duck Concerns

[TiaNicole]

Hi all, just some quick concerns! We just had our house built in March so our yard isn’t fully grass. Our duck coop and run sit in an area where it’s currently just sand. I plan on laying grass in there run soon. My concern is fire ants since I live in Florida. While I was raking through the sand and to make it even for there run I did see quite a few fire ants. Should I be concerned with my ducks and the fire ants?

 

[Isaac 0]

I don't have fire ants around here, but I know @DuckyDonna does.

 

[EverythingDucks]

I don't think it would bother adults as much as ducklings. I've seen them kill small ones before. I'm guessing if your ducks have ever ducklings in would be quite a while before that happens so I wouldn't be too worried about it. I would use some spray to keep them under control though. Fire ant bites are not fun. I'll ask my dad what kind he uses, I know it's a natural kind too, we have dogs so we're careful with the stuff we use.

 

[Isaac 0]

I'm sure its not as common with adults, but I have seen the webbing totally eaten off on their feet by fire ants.

 

[TiaNicole]

I don't think it would bother adults as much as ducklings. I've seen them kill small ones before. I'm guessing if your ducks have ever ducklings in would be quite a while before that happens so I wouldn't be too worried about it. I would use some spray to keep them under control though. Fire ant bites are not fun. I'll ask my dad what kind he uses, I know it's a natural kind too, we have dogs so we're careful with the stuff we use.

Thank you so much!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Yes, I have tons of fire ants in my yard but even though I sometimes let the little ones outside the run to play in the grass they don't seem interested in them and so far have managed to stay clear of the piles. Maybe they instinctively know they are not good to mess with.

I was thinking that the ducks might eat them but they don't. Armadillos do though. We had one around that was taking care of the ants until he had an unfortunate incident with a haying machine. He ended up "armadillo on the half shell".