Does Goose Poop Have Worms?

Spotting a gaggle of geese waddling through your yard might seem harmless, even kind of charming, until you step in what they leave behind. Goose droppings are more than just an eyesore or a smelly mess. They could be carrying some seriously nasty surprises, especially for your pets and anyone who likes going barefoot in the grass.

So here’s the real question: does goose poop have worms that can make you or your dog sick? The answer is yes, and the bigger issue is how easy it is to overlook the danger. Let’s dig into what’s really in that goose waste, how it spreads, and what you can do to protect your family, your yard, and your peace of mind.

The Dirty Truth About Worms in Goose Poop

Goose poop isn’t just unsightly, it can be loaded with parasites that pose a real threat to your yard, pets, and even people. These microorganisms survive in droppings and can contaminate soil, water, and anything they touch. Here’s a closer look at the usual suspects hiding inside those droppings:

Roundworms (Ascaridia species)

Roundworms can be passed through goose feces and linger in the soil for long periods. When pets sniff or ingest infected matter, the larvae may develop in their intestines, leading to vomiting, weight loss, or visible worms in stool. While humans aren’t the main target, kids playing outside are at risk of accidental exposure.

Cryptosporidium

This microscopic parasite thrives in moist environments and spreads easily through contact with droppings or tainted water. It can cause cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease that affects both humans and animals. Once in the yard, it can cling to shoes, paws, and anything it touches, making indoor contamination a real concern.

Giardia

Found in many types of animal feces, Giardia spreads quickly through contaminated surfaces or drinking water. Dogs are especially vulnerable and can develop persistent diarrhea, dehydration, and fatigue. It’s also a zoonotic parasite, which means humans can get sick from exposure as well.

Bacterial Freeloaders

While not worms, goose poop can also harbor bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. These cause serious gastrointestinal issues and are a sign that your yard has turned into a hotspot for disease transmission. When parasites and bacteria team up, they create a much more hazardous environment than most homeowners realize.

How Goose Poop Contaminates Your Yard

When geese treat your lawn like a public restroom, the mess they leave behind isn’t just gross, it’s a contamination issue. Parasites and bacteria in their droppings don’t just disappear with time or a little rain. Instead, they soak into the soil, cling to grass, and get picked up by anything that touches the ground. Here’s how goose poop turns your yard into a potential health hazard:

• Parasite Eggs Stick Around: Worm eggs can survive in soil for weeks or even months, waiting for a host to come along. That means the danger doesn’t vanish after a quick cleanup.
• Rainwater Spreads the Contamination: Droppings near storm drains, ponds, or patios can spread through runoff, carrying parasites to new areas of your property, or even into nearby water sources.
• Bare Feet and Curious Paws Are Easy Targets: Pets sniff, lick, and roll in all the wrong places. Kids run barefoot through the grass. Both can pick up parasites without any obvious sign of danger.
• Your Lawn Becomes a Breeding Ground: A yard frequented by geese becomes a regular drop zone. The more droppings pile up, the greater the chance of widespread contamination and repeat exposure.

Keeping your yard safe isn’t just about scooping the poop. It’s about breaking the cycle of contamination before it affects the people and pets who live there.

What It Can Do to Pets and People

If you think a little goose poop is harmless, think again. The parasites and bacteria it carries can cause serious health issues, often without immediate signs of infection. Pets and people alike can get sick just by spending time in a contaminated yard.

Health Risks for Pets

• Giardia infections cause diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration in dogs.
• Roundworms picked up from feces can lead to vomiting, weight loss, and visible worms in pet stool.
• Secondary transmission is possible, meaning infected pets can pass parasites to humans.
• Vet bills stack up fast if infections go unnoticed or untreated.

Health Risks for People

• Children are more likely to ingest contaminated soil or touch their mouths after contact.
• Hookworm larvae can enter through bare skin, causing rashes and intense itching.
• Cryptosporidium and Giardia can cause weeks of diarrhea and stomach cramps.
• Immune-compromised individuals face higher risks of severe or long-lasting infections.

Letting goose droppings sit around isn’t just unpleasant, it’s potentially dangerous for the whole household.

Signs You May Have a Problem

Goose poop isn’t always easy to track, especially once it dries out or gets washed into the grass. If geese have been visiting your property regularly, these signs can help you spot contamination risks before they turn into bigger issues.

1. Frequent Goose Activity

If geese are hanging around your lawn, driveway, or near ponds daily, you’re likely dealing with droppings scattered throughout your property. Their droppings can add up fast, up to 2 pounds per bird per day.

2. Patches of Discolored or Slimy Grass

Feces left in one spot repeatedly can kill or discolor grass and even create slick areas when it rains. These patches often signal spots where parasites are more concentrated.

3. Pets Showing Digestive Symptoms

If your dog suddenly has diarrhea, vomiting, or strange fatigue, it could be from licking or eating contaminated grass or water. Even a small amount of exposure to goose waste can trigger symptoms.

4. Unpleasant Odors or Sticky Residue

Goose poop has a sharp, fishy smell when fresh and can leave behind a sticky residue even after drying. If you notice foul-smelling areas near your patio or walkway, you may be stepping through contamination without knowing it.

5. Kids or Barefoot Guests in the Yard

If your children or guests walk barefoot or sit directly on the grass, they’re at risk of coming into contact with parasite eggs that are invisible to the naked eye. That’s especially risky in areas where droppings are frequent or hard to clean thoroughly. These subtle signs often go unnoticed until a pet gets sick or a child shows symptoms. The earlier you spot them, the safer your property stays.

How to Properly Handle and Clean Up Goose Poop

Cleaning up goose droppings isn’t just about appearance, it’s about health and safety. Treat every pile like a potential hazard and follow these do’s and don’ts:

• Wear gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact or inhaling dried particles.
• Scoop with a shovel or similar tool instead of spraying with water.
• Disinfect the area using a pet-safe cleaner or diluted vinegar.
• Avoid bleach on grass, it can kill vegetation and isn’t effective on parasite eggs.
• Double-bag the waste before disposal to contain bacteria and odor.
• Never use high-pressure hoses which spread pathogens across your yard.
• Skip composting goose poop since parasites can survive the heat.
• Don’t let it dry out in place, parasite eggs can remain infectious for months.
• Wash up thoroughly after cleanup, even if you wore protective gear.

If the mess keeps coming back, it’s time to bring in the pros to clean and protect your yard the right way.

Prevention: Stop Geese Before They Drop It

The easiest way to deal with goose poop? Don’t let the geese stick around long enough to leave it behind. Once they decide your yard feels like home, they’ll keep coming back, and bringing parasites with them. Here’s how to make your yard less attractive to geese:

• Remove food sources: Avoid feeding them, and keep pet food, trash, and birdseed sealed and out of reach.
• Disrupt their hangout zones: Trim tall grasses near water and install barriers around ponds or lake edges where they like to rest.
• Use visual deterrents: Reflective tape, predator decoys, or motion-activated sprinklers can convince them it’s not a safe spot.
• Break up flat open space: Geese love wide, open lawns. Planting hedges or adding structures can interrupt their landing zones.
• Work with a wildlife control expert: Humane removal and prevention methods are most effective when handled by pros who know goose behavior.

The longer you wait, the more comfortable geese become, and the harder it is to reclaim your yard. Preventing their return is just as important as cleaning up what they leave behind.

Worms in Goose Poop Are a Real Threat

It’s easy to brush off goose poop as a messy inconvenience, but the truth is far more serious. Those droppings can carry parasites like roundworms, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium that contaminate your soil, endanger your pets, and put your family at risk. The longer they stay in your yard, the more opportunity they have to spread invisible hazards you can’t just rinse away.

If you’re seeing signs of frequent goose visits, or worse, noticing pet symptoms or odd smells in your yard, it’s time to take action. Removing the mess is only half the battle. Keeping geese from turning your property into a health hazard is where long-term safety starts. You don’t have to handle it alone, and you definitely shouldn’t leave it to chance.

Take Back Your Yard! Let the Pros Handle the Goose Mess

Tired of stepping around poop piles or worrying about what your dog just sniffed? AAAC Wildlife Removal is here to help. Our team doesn’t just clean up, we identify the root of the problem and implement safe, humane strategies to keep geese off your property for good.

Don’t wait for a parasite problem to sneak up on your family. Call AAAC Wildlife Removal today and schedule your expert goose assessment and cleanup. Your yard deserves better than a daily drop zone.