Problems with Canadian Geese?

Do you live in an area where there are well-watered, fertilized, and have mowed fields, parks, golf courses, or sports fields? Well, you may be aware that there is a growing Canadian geese problem in Massachusetts.Most of the time, geese invoke picturesque images of birds flying in V-formation or majestically honking to communicate with each other. Most New Englanders are familiar with this scene as the Canadian goose has been passing through Massachusetts on their journey to and from their arctic breeding grounds for centuries. Prior to the 1930s, it was unusual for geese to nest here, yet today in Massachusetts you can find Canadian geese any time of the year. In fact, in some areas, people feel there are too many geese!

The Goose Problem

Canadian geese thrive in residential and suburban areas, and can sometimes become a nuisance. What do we mean by a nuisance? Since the geese numbers in our area are increasing, that means that their droppings are also increasing. Canadian geese produce a half pound to a pound and a half of dropping every day! That adds up to a huge mess if your yard, park, playground or gold course is the one being impacted. Let's face it, no one wants to be walking through droppings as they are going about their day.In addition to the large number of droppings, geese can become very vocal with loud honking that becomes annoying and engage in territorial fights that can be alarming especially if it is occurring on your child's sports field. No one wants to get chased or pecked at for coming too close or trying to drive away the geese from a play area.

The Goose Solution

Canadian Geese are a federally protected migratory species. Because of this, they typically cannot be simply removed from a property. Any removal work would require a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Goose control, therefore, is typically done through the application of liquid treatments that render the areas on which they feed unpalatable. These treatments are applied on a weekly basis. They will force geese to move on to a new area, typically after just a few treatments.However, there is another effective goose control technique. Dog Hazing is a control technique used nationwide that has been met with great success. Dog handlers make daily visits to the affected properties with highly trained canines. These dogs chase the geese off the property day after day until the geese move on to a new feeding area where they will not be disturbed. This process usually takes two to three weeks, but does not require chemical applications to the grass or turf.Are the goose poop, honking, and territoriality becoming a problem for your home or play areas? Call our wildlife experts at Pest-End Exterminators at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, or 978-794-4321.