Did you know that ducks eat bugs? Not all birds like eating insects, but yes, ducks do eat bugs. And they like eating Japanese Beetles as well as other kinds of bugs.
These beetles are devastating to crops and trees. Each individual beetle can cause up to $1,000 worth of damage per year. That’s a lot of money! Ducks eat these beetles by capturing them with their beaks and then swallowing them whole.
Table of Contents
What are Japanese Beetles?
Japanese Beetles are a type of insect that feeds on leaves. They’re usually found in the eastern US and have been invading areas in southeastern Canada for years. They can wreak havoc on trees, flowers, and crops by eating all their leaves.
They were first introduced to North America in 1916 after being brought over from Japan as part of an attempt to control plant-eating insects like aphids. The Japanese Beetle has since spread across the US and Canada.
They damage trees, flowers, and crops by eating all their leaves. This is because they need to eat enough food before they molt into adults so they can mate and lay eggs.
Ducks can eat these beetles by capturing them with their beaks and then swallowing them whole! Ducks will also eat other kinds of bugs like mosquitos or ants. This helps keep your yard clean of pests that can cause problems if they get inside your home or yard.
Why They’re a Problem
Japanese Beetles are a problem because they eat crops and trees. They’re also a problem because they’re hard to catch. You can’t just lay out a pesticide or trap for them like you would with other insects.
This is because they lay their eggs underneath the ground in June, and then the eggs hatch into grubs in July. These grubs live under the ground eating plant roots until they turn into beetles in August.
How a Duck Can Help?
Ducks can help keep your yard from having to be treated for Japanese Beetles with pesticides. They are able to eat these bugs without getting sick or dying since they have strong stomach acids and can eat a lot of food at once.
Ducks will also eat other kinds of bugs like mosquitos or ants. This helps keep your yard clean of pests that can cause problems if they get inside your home or yard.
Ducks work especially well for keeping your yard clean because their caretaking needs are easy to meet, and the ducks themselves are low-maintenance pets that require very little daily time and maintenance outside of their feedings and watering.
Ducks will eat these beetles, which is one of the best ways to keep beetle populations down. That means less damage for farmers and more delicious food for us!
How Ducks Eat Them
Ducks capture these beetles in a couple of different ways. One way is to go in and grab the bug with their beaks and then swallow them whole.
Another way they can take care of these insects is by taking a scoop of water and then sousing the beetle into it.
have specially developed beaks that help them eat bugs. These beaks are longer and narrower than other birds because they need to fit into the narrow and deep holes that beetles and other bugs usually live in.
What Insects Do Ducks Eat?
They eat almost any insect if it’s presented in front of them! Insects are a rich source of Potassium, Zinc, Phosphorous, Iron, and Proteins.
Here is some of the insect that your ducks will likely eat in their typical environment:
- Dragonflies (read more)
- Ladybugs (read more)
- Grasshoppers (read more)
- Mosquitos
- Bees and wasps
- Cockroaches (read more)
Conclusion
In the wake of the recent invasion of the Japanese beetle, many people are wondering if ducks eat them.
The answer is a resounding yes! Ducks naturally eat a variety of insects and happen to love the taste of Japanese beetles. Plus, they’re a great natural pest control for gardens and farmlands.
This is a great way for people to keep their pest problem under control without resorting to toxic chemicals.
Credits: Seager77 – Richard655 of pixabay.com
