< Back to Commercial Bird Control

Commercial Canada Geese Control

Family: Anatidae - Branta canadensis

The Canada goose is a goose with a black head and neck, white patches on the face, and a brown body. Native to arctic and temperate regions of North America, it also occasionally migrates to northern Europe, and has been introduced to Britain, New Zealand, and other temperate regions.

Extremely successful at living in human-altered areas, Canada geese have proven able to establish breeding colonies in urban and cultivated areas, which provide food and few natural predators, and are well known as a common park species.

Problems Caused

Apart from the noise they cause, Canada Geese have a tendency to attack humans when they feel themselves or their goslings to be threatened. First the geese will stand erect, spread their wings and produce a hissing sound. Next, the geese will charge. They may then bite or attack with their wings.

Disease

Three parasites that are a concern to humans are cryptosporidium, giardia and toxoplasmosis. Infection may occur through eating a goose that is undercooked or drinking contaminated water or swimming in any lake, pond or beach area that has a presence of geese.

Canada Geese also carry chlamydiosis, e-coli, listeria, pasteurella multocida and salmonella bacterium. Infected birds can shed the bacteria through feces, nasal discharge and when someone is bitten. Avian Flu's such as H5N1 is also a concern as the geese are particularly susceptible and finally, histoplasmosis fungus grows in soil enriched with bird droppings, including those from geese making removal or cleanup of goose droppings a health concern.

Property Damage

Canada Goose faeces are extremely acidic and as well as defacing buildings, paintwork and vehicles with their droppings, if left untreated can cause irreparable damage to stonework and building facades. They frequently foul entrances and pavements, which can become dangerously slippery.

Commercial Canada Goose Control

The best canada goose control programs usually consist of a combination of three methods: limiting flock growth, frightening geese (humanely) so they decide to leave on their own, and changing the habitat so it is no longer attractive to geese.