New to Louisiana with backyard ducks

[Heatherthere]

We’ve just recently moved to Louisiana with our 4 ducks and goose from the upper Midwest. We have a nice fenced yard around the house and the ducks are loving it. However, after reading about the number of venomous caterpillars in the area and the many oak trees we have, I’m starting to get concerned about them. I’ve looked online and the only information I found was “they should know to avoid them”.

The problematic caterpillars have tiny hairs that are venomous, and I’m now worried that our ducks won’t know to stay away. Does anyone have any experience with backyard ducks and these kind of venomous caterpillars in the South?

Thanks!

 

[Jenbirdee]

We’ve just recently moved to Louisiana with our 4 ducks and goose from the upper Midwest. We have a nice fenced yard around the house and the ducks are loving it. However, after reading about the number of venomous caterpillars in the area and the many oak trees we have, I’m starting to get concerned about them. I’ve looked online and the only information I found was “they should know to avoid them”.

The problematic caterpillars have tiny hairs that are venomous, and I’m now worried that our ducks won’t know to stay away. Does anyone have any experience with backyard ducks and these kind of venomous caterpillars in the South?

Thanks!

yes i have ducks and it’s true they do avoid the venomous caterpillars i even has these in my yard a couple years ago it was scary is that the kind you have?

i i’m also concerned they might accidentally step on one, but I’ve had ducks in this yard for over eight years and nobody has, of course, whenever I see an evil caterpillar, I pick it up with tongs and dispose of it carefully

 

[KathiQuacks]

Welcome to BYC

I’ve had my ducks here in Texas for 3 years now, and the previous house owners had ducks for an additional 3.5 years. No caterpillar deaths! I’ve only seen maybe 1 really venomous caterpillar here so far, and it was no where near the ducks.

Ducks seem pretty resilient.. My duck’s new favorite snack is the poisonous false parasol mushroom They’ve gotten into them a couple times now, but they’ve all been just fine.

 

[Heatherthere]

yes i have ducks and it’s true they do avoid the venomous caterpillars i even has these in my yard a couple years ago it was scary is that the kind you have? View attachment 3932701
i i’m also concerned they might accidentally step on one, but I’ve had ducks in this yard for over eight years and nobody has, of course, whenever I see an evil caterpillar, I pick it up with tongs and dispose of it carefully

Yes! So far I’ve seen one of those saddlebacks and one of these. They’re terrifying looking. So glad to hear you haven’t had any problems with yours!

 

[Jenbirdee]

Yes! So far I’ve seen one of those saddlebacks and one of these. They’re terrifying looking. So glad to hear you haven’t had any problems with yours!

i know right? When I first saw one I was like, what the heck is that?