Feathered fiends move in
Ladson woman feels 'terrorized' by ducks that chase her, leave mess on her property
By Brian Hicks
The Post and Courier
Muscovy ducks gather under a truck in the Limehouse Villas neighborhood in Lasdon. Resident Montina Lee wants the waddling gang of troublemakers, whose behavior she says is extremely foul, ousted from her neighborhood.
Ladson woman feels 'terrorized' by ducks that chase her, leave mess on her property
LADSON — They moved onto Montina Lee's cul-de-sac a few months ago, and since then it's just been one big flap after another.
They leave their trash lying around her yard, vandalize her porch furniture. She's had to move her car to keep them off it, and even caught them getting frisky in her backyard.
Lee has been chased, menaced, intimidated. These days she is afraid to go out in her own yard.
That's how it is: Ducks move in, there goes the neighborhood.
"I feel like they are controlling me. They are terrorizing me," Lee said Wednesday. "These are not my pets. I should not be responsible for them. But they are eating through my air conditioner and dropping their weapons of mass destruction on my car. That stuff will ruin your paint, you know."
Since this flock of fowl Muscovy ducks settled in to the pond next to Lee's Limehouse Villas home, she has called everyone she knows to call, and it seems to her that everyone is just ducking the issue.
The developer's homeowners association says it didn't put the ducks there, and can't do anything about it. Animal control agencies say the ducks are the neighborhood association's jurisdiction.
Muscovies are clearly ducks from the wrong side of the pond, "trash ducks," Lee calls them. They can be aggressive and seem to enjoy chasing Lee into the house, wings stretched high, squawking like the red-beaks they are. Clearly, these are the low-rent cousins of that AFLAC guy on TV.
Video
Waterfowl Woes
A Ladson resident has troubles with the local duck population
And they live like it. These days, Lee's yard looks like the site of a fairly serious pillow fight, feathers covering the ground like a light dusting of snow. The remnants of Muscovy meals mar the landscape, and these fat, feathered fiends lay up on the shrubs like they are at some kind of suburban spa. Every time she finds a broken eggshell on the ground, she knows there are new hoodlums moving in.
Lee says she pays the homeowner's association $55 a month for yard maintenance, and she feels like she's living in a chicken coop. If she let her yard look like that, the developer would complain, she notes. But last week, The Behling Co., the property manager for Limehouse Villas Homeowners Association, sent her a letter that has Lee crying fowl.
"While we are sorry for the problems you have encountered and can understand your frustration, neither the developer or the (homeowners association) placed the ducks on the property," the letter said. "To date, we have had no other complaints from homeowners about the presence of the ducks; therefore at this point, no action to remove them is planned."
Some of Lee's neighbors say the ducks drive them daffy too, but they did not particularly want to get involved — or be quoted. But other people, presumably the ones who don't have to deal with the aftermath, come by and feed the ducks. Lee says they "bring their little kids by and sit at the pond and throw them bread."
A few hours later, she has to deep-clean. Lee says she feels cheated by the developer — she would not have moved in if she'd known they didn't screen residents better than this. "I am disgusted by my yard," Lee says. "You would at least think somebody would say 'I'm sorry.' "
But all she's gotten so far is someone flapping their bill.
Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Since no one claims the ducks when does the duck hunting season open? Why doesn't she borrow somebodys labs and let them harrass the ducks for a few days. I'm sure they will move on after a day or two of that! Better yet put an alligator in the pond and let it eat the ducks. Then kill the gator after it's done what gators do!
September 20, 2007 at 7:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proud2bme (anonymous) says...
I have had this same problem. I called animal control and I was told that the ducks were protected under some protection act and that I would have to call I private company and pay out of my own pocket to have them removed. I would suggest looking in the phone book, making some calls and getting estimates and asking the other neighbors that share this burden if they would be willing to split the cost of having the ducks removed.
September 20, 2007 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Edwin435 (anonymous) says...
"Animal control agencies say them is the neighborhood association's jurisdiction."
Nice grammar !
I agree with proud2bme... get the home owners together and see if they would be willing to pitch in.
September 20, 2007 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brant (anonymous) says...
Terrorizing? Isn't that a tad strong? I doubt they're carrying any bombs, guys!
September 20, 2007 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
idennis (anonymous) says...
Dig a pond.... they will come... '
hmmmm go figure..
September 20, 2007 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
obrbob (anonymous) says...
Eh. two words, duck soup...
Thought...get the gator that bit the guys arm off, chuck him in the pond. The ducks leave. Simple solution to two problems...
I had a ground hog under by barn...the city told me to call animal control. Animal control told me to call the city, Then they both told me to call a private contractor. I solved the problem with .03 worth of ammunition from my .22. Quit relying on the city or others to fix your problem. If they won't do it, fix it yourself.
September 20, 2007 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
scarletswalking (anonymous) says...
those ducks can be mean, i've had encounters with them, but not nearly as mean as a canadian goose. I'd suggest to the lady to get a sign that says, DO NOT FEED THESE DUCKS and then rake up the feathers and start mowing the lawn twice a week. They don't like the noise and it should drive them out.
September 20, 2007 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
miki (anonymous) says...
Some days I really appreciate the posters. This is one of them. I really thought I was reading the Onion. Guess I wasn't the only one. Instead, it's only Brian Hicks.
September 20, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Muscovy ducks are indeed mean, I've raised them. We had one chase a rooster into the pond and hold it's head under till it drowned. They do taste good though. I'd be happy to swing by her place and bring a few back for my flock.
And Muscovy's are not a protected species to the best of my knowledge. I've never seen one before that wasn't part of a domestic flock or introduced into an area from a domestic flock, and I believe that they are classified as a domestic fowl, not protected. But then again, the government loves to protect things.
I caught that "them is" too. Guess they don't have proof readers or editors at the P&C.
September 20, 2007 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tomross (anonymous) says...
If you move next to a pond you have to expect ducks. They live there.
If they are coming up to the house you are probably feeding them. Maybe not intentionally. Most likely you have bird- or squirrel feeders near the home. The droppings from those make a welcomed treat for them. I suggest that you move them away from the area were you don't want ducks to gather.
The smell of food in garbage cans also attract them. Use your garbage disposal for those. A dog in the yard is also a good way to keep them away
September 20, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCview (anonymous) says...
I totally agree with you crankyyankee.
An alligator will take care of that problem!!
And to the lady who bought that property- move- You are the one responsible for washing your own car. You think just because you have messy ducks in your yard the world owes you a car wash???? I am sure you were forced to buy that property?? right??/ Hello people of Charleston,SC get a clue.
September 20, 2007 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCview (anonymous) says...
P.S.
Brian Hicks you are hysterical. I love reading everything you write... keep me laughin
September 20, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinagal (anonymous) says...
poison pellets- feed away. Muscovys are nasty and well... nasty
September 20, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kennyt (anonymous) says...
Harpo that was funny and probably true. I was biten by a crazy, pysco duck at the pond by Park Circle when I was a kid and it went straight for the jewels. Duck-al-mode with lemon and rice sounds good.
September 20, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AL4854 (anonymous) says...
I live next to a pond too. While we didn't have these particular ducks, we did have a tremendous Canadian Geese issue. They are noisy and extremely agressive. Our HOA asked that we stop feeding the animals for a while and the Geese flew off for better eats. The other "non-terrorist" ducks remained and the pond is back to normal. So, I can understand if she's feeling a little ticked at the ducks.. but I think her fear of being in her own yard is a little extreme. She needs to get a grip. Watch that video - she feels she shouldn't have to pay to get her car washed or clean her driveway b/c "someone should be held responsible!" That's why no one else in the neighborhood wanted to comment... they didn't want to be associated with that nonsense.
September 20, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterfowlrescue (anonymous) says...
The ducks didn't decide to move in on their own. They are a domesticated non migratory species of duck. Someone intentionally abandoned them there. They are now doing the best they can to survive. They could be VERY easily placed into a farm type situation or taken in by rescuers and given an appropriate home.
All animals deserve to be treated humanely and yes there are laws against animal cruelty. The ducks approach people because they cant find food. They were raised by someone as a pet and left to die out there. They see people as a source of food and aren't trying to be mean they are just hungry. The problems are 100% human caused and uninformed unitelligent people want to solve the problem with more human stupidity and cruelty.
The big bonehead award really goes to the lady who moved into a neighborhood to live on a pond and hates/fears ducks. She is terrified of ducks yet chooses to buy a house on a pond? What the heck does she think was going to come into her yard living on the water?? Duck poop doesn't erode paint give me a break. Birds poop on my car all the time and guess what, no one is responsbile. I just go to the car wash and my paint is intact after all these years.
Tell Ms Kravittz if the biggest problem she has in the world is that a ducks in her yard then she has it pretty damn good. Maybe she needs to go do some volunteer work at a homesless shelter or an animal rescue and get some perspective on what people with real problems have to deal with.
For help in locating a rescuer to relocate the ducks please visit
www.duckrescue.org
For help with non lethal methods of dealing with nusiance waterfowl visit
www.canadageese.org
For asssitance with having the ducks relocated please visit
www.naturesgateinc.com
Natures gate works with local rescues to remove nusiance birds and places them in homes and sanctuaries.
September 20, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gamecockcougar (anonymous) says...
Can you eat that type of Duck?
They are sure good baked in the oven with a little butter.
Momma use to take ducks from her pond every fall and we would have duck soup; those were the good ole days.
September 20, 2007 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
waterfowlrescue, don't tell me bird sh*t doesn't eat the paint off your car. If you leave it on there any length of time the acidic content will even eat through clearcoat. Seagulls are the worse.
BTW-Muscovies are Not indigenous to the US.
September 20, 2007 at 7:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jgordon367 (anonymous) says...
She didnt say they were indigenous, she said they were a domesticated species - obviously you dont realize the difference. The types of muscovys we have here are nothing like the wild muscovys that would be native to south america. They are domesticated, that means we have genetically altered them to make them produce more meat and eggs. More meat = less flight. Therefore ducks no longer able to fend for themselves are dependant of human care are considered domesticated. They can become feral just like a feral cat colony.
If you leave poop on long enough to eat your paint then your obviously not washing it very often. Its not the birds faults people are lazy. Tree sap, road tar and a variety of other things do way more damage to my car that birds poop.
September 20, 2007 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
jgordan367, just ask anyone who has to leave their car in the hot sun all day long what bird droppings can do. Who has the time to wash their car every day?
I don't have that problem as my car stays at home in a garage.
Our HOA did research on Muscovies because of the problems people are having with them.
No need to be so insulting, I know what that person was saying. I wasn't arguing,I was simply making a statement.
September 20, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trod (anonymous) says...
Thanks to my half lab/half chesapeake i dont have a duck problem.the ducks have a dog problem lol
September 20, 2007 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hayhop (anonymous) says...
duck soup haha but those ducks are ugly .I wouldnt want to eat one.i would shoot them with paint balls(frozen) or a b b gun if she's allowed to where she lives.
September 20, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
billyjoejimbob (anonymous) says...
Sue the ducks for reparations
September 20, 2007 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
cvs, I turned my Golden Retriever loose on a Muscovy and the dumba** wasn't fast enough. LOL He probably would have played with it anyway. Those things are big carriers of Salmonella, so don't get their poop on you. Wash the little kids hands if they play in a yard frequented by Muscovies.
September 20, 2007 at 10:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Geechie, my neighbor admitted to shooting Muscovies off of her back deck. I told her if the police caught her she would be in trouble. She simply shrugged, as if to say,"Who cares?" She's from Boston, so I guess that makes her above SC law.
My dog chasing a duck out of the yard is no biggey, because it can fly away. I don't want anyone to mess with the mallards, because they are peaceful and don't really come in the yards too often.
September 20, 2007 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
No offense to Bostonians! This lady is just a particlar pain. She hates the South, but then she married a local man. Go figure.
September 20, 2007 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
waterfowlrescue (anonymous) says...
I would like to see where there is a documented reported case of muscovy ducks transmitting salmonella to humans. I handle hundreds of them each year and I have never picked up ANY diseases from them.
Dogs are actually a great deterrent for nusiance waterfowl. If this woman had a dog the ducks would learn to stay out of her yard. Border Collies are standard for moving unwanted herds of birds. As long as your not letting your dogs maim them. Check out www.geesepeace.org the tactics used for geese work for almost any waterfowl.
I think everyone here is missing the point that there are many many humane solutions. Why is that you people seem to enjoy the suffering of these animals? I just dont get it.
I know someone who lives near this place and they said the problem is minor and is being blown way out of proportion. There are very small number of ducks but this woman has an unnatural fear of animals so she is making everyones life miserable. Again i think if this is the only thing she has to worry about then she needs to get a life.
September 21, 2007 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beemz (anonymous) says...
waterfowlrescue i agree wholeheartly with you.
there just ducks what harm could they do.
now if it is a geese(s) i would truly understand.(scare of them)
but as the previous poster said " is the only thing she has to worry about then she needs to get a life."
p.e.t.t.
September 21, 2007 at 11:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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