Neighborhood struggles with unwanted, invasive species ducks
SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- In one Spring neighborhood, it can be hard to tell who is in charge -- the people or the ducks
"They're constantly in our yard," said resident Gayle Centanni. "They're pooping in our yard, they're all over the place. It's annoying."
"I just heard noises," said resident Vianey Pereaia. "Then I looked out the window and thought, 'what was that big noise?' Then I saw the ducks on top of the chimney, flying, playing."
"They're part of the family," said resident Keith Jones.
The HOA at Country Lake Estates plans to start trapping Muscovy ducks next week. The ducks are considered an invasive and potentially dangerous species in most of the country. That means you can't just catch them and release them somewhere else. Federal law requires humanely euthanizing them or housing them somewhere where they can't travel.
"They're not really afraid because they're such big ducks," said wildlife removal expert Brian Moss. "And they're prolific breeders so they breed pretty quick, and they just take over the area."
Moss says residents shouldn't try to trap the ducks without professional help.
"They will be aggressive," Moss said. "The males are so strong with their wings that they've been known to break bones."
