At 365nyt.dk, we have observed a remarkable trend in the demand for runner ducks on Den Blå Avis (DBA), a popular Danish online marketplace. According to a press release from DBA, the interest in this specific type of ducks, known for eating killer slugs, is rapidly increasing, while the supply is significantly lower than the demand. DBA has reported that even though many users have searched for runner ducks in June, there hasn’t been a single ad for these birds for sale. Julie Schoen, the press officer at DBA, stated: “Sometimes we see a sudden surge in demand for a product, but usually there are also sellers offering that product. In my seven years at DBA, I have never seen so many searches for a product that was completely absent in the listings.”
In June, there was a significant increase in searches for the term “runner duck” – in fact, 389% higher than the same period last year. For the search term “runner ducks,” the increase was even higher, at 520%. Compared to May, searches for “runner duck” have increased by 23%, and searches for “runner ducks” have increased by 47% compared to the previous year.
Stine Slotsbo, a senior researcher at the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University, highlighted in June to DR, a Danish broadcasting corporation, that runner ducks are effective in combating killer slugs in gardens. “Runner ducks are a really good option for regulating killer slugs. Literature shows that they are very fond of slugs and good at finding and eating them,” explained Slotsbo.
The Indian runner duck, which is the most searched type, can weigh up to two kilograms as an adult and grow up to 76 centimeters long. The ducks are also characterized by their distinctive gait with a high lifted head.
This trend indicates a growing interest among garden owners who are seeking natural solutions to combat pests like killer slugs. It will be interesting to see if the listings on DBA will start to match the explosively growing demand.